Scan barcode
lamorcom's review against another edition
4.0
An extended slice of life novel, which was an uncomfortable but also a gripping read. I understand some readers found the opposite and wanted more of a resolution or climax to the narrative, but for me this was the strength of the book and I was satisfied with the narrative thread as well as the ending. This is a very Scandinavian book, preoccupied with anxiety surrounding privilege. The mundanity and pettiness of the interactions and arguments between Alma, the Norwegian landlord and Slawomira, her Polish tenant are so realistic and relatable. If Hjorth’s aim was to make her readers take a good look at their own opinions and prejudices, this was a deft method of doing so.
It may just be personal preference with style but I wasn’t always sure that the translation was the best, however. There were some sentences I had to reread several times to understand. This may have been due to the stream of consciousness style of Alma’s thoughts but I think it could have been made a little clearer. Overall a very thought provoking, enjoyable, if slightly stress-inducing story!
It may just be personal preference with style but I wasn’t always sure that the translation was the best, however. There were some sentences I had to reread several times to understand. This may have been due to the stream of consciousness style of Alma’s thoughts but I think it could have been made a little clearer. Overall a very thought provoking, enjoyable, if slightly stress-inducing story!
vgk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pernille87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ebokhyllami's review against another edition
4.0
Nok en gang skriver Hjorth ei bok om en norsk, bemerkelsesverdig kvinne. Denne gang en enslig huseier som leier ut huset sitt til en polsk familie og alt hva dette innebærer for den kreative tekstilkunstneren Alma. Jeg ble ikke like bergtatt av dette portrettet som jeg er blitt av flere av Hjorth's andre kvinner, likevel elsker jeg språket og kunstnersjelen og nok et dypdykk inn i rotfestet til det norske folk. Et Norsk Hus står så absolutt til en firer!
aga_acrobat's review against another edition
5.0
Now, who am I?
Am I Alma? A slightly neurotic artist, a weaver of tapestries and banners. A woman trying so hard to live as an independent artist in a world that has expectations, quite a lot of them?
Or maybe Alma the mother struggling to find a working relationship with her children somewhere between spoiling them rotten, defaulting to all their whims or something more adult maybe, but how?
Or maybe I am Sławomira? The polish immigrant trying to make a living in a foreign country like my mother did?
Or maybe I am the little girl? Growing up in a place where everthing is strange and fascinating - I am a kid after all. But also where my mother is maybe different and the strange woman also?
I don‘t know. But that is probably the reason the book still lingers with me.
Am I Alma? A slightly neurotic artist, a weaver of tapestries and banners. A woman trying so hard to live as an independent artist in a world that has expectations, quite a lot of them?
Or maybe Alma the mother struggling to find a working relationship with her children somewhere between spoiling them rotten, defaulting to all their whims or something more adult maybe, but how?
Or maybe I am Sławomira? The polish immigrant trying to make a living in a foreign country like my mother did?
Or maybe I am the little girl? Growing up in a place where everthing is strange and fascinating - I am a kid after all. But also where my mother is maybe different and the strange woman also?
I don‘t know. But that is probably the reason the book still lingers with me.
caitlinjclarke's review against another edition
4.0
'A house in Norway' follows the life of a secluded artist trying, so hard, to develop work that benefits society and to become a better person, whilst realizing she cannot please everyone. A quiet Sunday read of a book. Sweet read. Translated from Norwegian
marydaleo's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the writing style, like Hemingway without all the fishing and machismo. Nothing really happens in this book, just a woman and her thoughts as time passes. And it's just wonderful.
cricca's review
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.25
tuu's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0