Reviews

Lontananza by Vigdis Hjorth

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rouge_red's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

3.75

Apparently I've read too many mysteries because I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. There are revelations near the end of the novel, but there isn't anything as explosive as I was anticipating. Which isn't a bad thing because the book resolved in a way that was satisfying. Somehow it manages to stay engaging for a narrative that's tucked deeply inside this woman's head about her difficult relationship with her mother. She's been mulling over how to get in contact with her after an absence of 30 years and through some choices on her part that her family feels deeply affected by. It can read as a tad obsessive and was even a little creepy at one point, but being so consumed by thoughts and wishes of reconciliation and a need to understand shared history can read that point. I found it quite moving by the end, especially when we get to where our MC has accepted things and her mother is still stuck. It's certainly a painful read at times as we're never quite who we think we are to other people vs. how we see ourselves. It's painful to think that Johanna's family so willingly gives her up (ie. she's essentially dead to them) by piling all these ideas together of her "shameful" behavior with her first husband, her art (which the mother thinks is directed at her) and what she was like as a child. In fact, Johanna's family feels like they're trapped since they don't want to listen to Johanna's explanations, instead carrying this burden of what outsides must think of their family and what the blame they've placed onto Johanna. It's not an easy story to read, but I think you have great empathy for what these women have gone through, especially when they seem unable/unwilling to think about their pasts.

catherinevanheusden's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

mchllsdl's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

pennygallup's review against another edition

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4.25

This is an easy to read book with a great premise: however much you may wish to, it’s incredibly hard to leave your family for good. Hjorth examines forensically the psychological complexities of memory, family relationships and the search of a child for their mother’s love. I found it intelligent and compelling.