A Modern Family

This was very well translated, and I read it in more or less one sitting. It was thought-provoking, especially with regard to the way different family members can see the same events from very different perspectives. I found the tone gently sad throughout, and it made me very thankful for my own life and relationships. All the characters were flawed and yet sympathetic, and my favourite section was the last one from Hakon's point of view, as he reconsiders his views on marriage.

I had high hopes for this one, but it didn't really work for me. It's about a family - parents in their 70s and three adult children - and the parents decide to get a divorce. This completely upends the adult children and they all take a turn having sections of the novel told from their point of view. The problem, for me, is that there is an odd and off-putting amount of introspection and self-knowledge given to each of the characters. It feels over-analytical and contrived. Closer to what a psychologist would say about the situation than someone living it.

Flatland maler igjen gode karakterer, usympatiske og selvopptatte, og beskriver hvordan vi oppfatter og husker situasjoner forskjellig. Boka er også en god beskrivelse av familiers interne maktstrukturer, men (og det er mulig jeg har for store forventninger her) det virker litt tannløst sammenlignet med tidligere prestasjoner. Det er sikkert urettferdig, men det er nå en gang sånn at kunstnere blir sammenlignet med det man har gjort før.

Hm, jeg likte historien og temaet er interessant. Men, synes det manglet noe. Historien til Liv og Ellen var så mye mer enn historien til Håkon. En dårlig slutt i mine øyne.

Hm, jeg likte historien og temaet er interessant. Men, synes det manglet noe. Historien til Liv og Ellen var så mye mer enn historien til Håkon. En dårlig slutt i mine øyne.

Furchtbar, langweilig, Familienprobleme

Una familia moderna, ganadora del Premio de las Librerías de Noruega, es uno de los grandes éxitos de la literatura nórdica de los últimos años. Cuando los hermanos Liv, Ellen y Håkon, junto con sus parejas e hijos, se reúnen alrededor de la mesa en algún lugar de las afueras de Roma para celebrar el setenta cumpleaños del padre y abuelo Håkon, reciben la inesperada noticia de que él y la madre de los hermanos se separan. Siguen la conmoción y la incredulidad, mientras los tres hijos adultos intentan hacer frente a la decisión de sus padres. No solo afecta a su relación como hermanos, sino que resuena en los hogares que han construido para ellos mismos, además de obligarlos a reconstruir su narrativa compartida. Helga show more Flatland escribe magistralmente esta historia, con una rara perspicacia psicológica, humor y un impulso narrativo casi cinematográfico. show less