The Sharks

Jens Bjorneboe was outspoken and anarchic. He clashed with most social institutions in his determination to challenge repression, censorship and authoritarianism. This is a thrilling tale of mutiny and shipwreck which bears comparison with Melville's Moby Dick. It is also the story of mankind's voyage into the 20th century.

The book cover states that this work resembles Moby Dick, and in parts it does, though far less polished. It is however unfinished, and not only does it lack a real ending, some of the internal sections are quite odd, lack consistency, and once again, seem incomplete. While some parts don't make sense others are very good indeed, and a very genuine maritime world is pictured by our hero/philosopher (as he sees himself).

This book is about the ship "Neptun", sailing from Marseille to Lyon. The story is pretty much an allegory, where the whole crew on the ship represents mankind.

The tale itself is a real sea novel, and the crew´s conflicts makes the book really captivating.

This book is about the ship "Neptune" / Holy Venus, sailing from Manila to Marseilles. The story is an allegory, with the ship being the earth and the crew different aspects of mankind.

Den første Bjørneboe boken jeg leste på videregående. Skrev oppgave og fikk «s»

I found this a really exciting adventure on the high seas. It has everything in it (not just "the sharks"), it is a fascinating examination of human failure, but it also has a great deal of human compassion and it addresses many of the social issues still facing us today, nearly 50 years after it was first published.
For everyone who doesn't read Norwegian: it has been translated into several other languages.