Lars Saabye Christensen Libros

Part Two of a trilogy set in post-war Oslo, by Norway's answer to Elena Ferrante.

The book tells the story of Kim Karlsen and his three friends: Gunnar, Ola, and Seb.

By the author of The Half-Brother, a compelling portrait of post-war Oslo as the city recovers from the German Occupation.

A journey of reminiscence, with the doors of Sortland hotel – the common project of the artist and author – serving as a starting and turning point. The text is a masterful exploration of how Nico became Nico, but also a description of how a sculpture is made: «The block of stone is, to Nico, what the blank page is to me – possibility. But that’s where the difference begins, too. Nico removes. I add. I build, word by word. He removes, piece by piece.» Trygve Indrelid’s many photos from inside the workshop paint photographic portraits of a sculptor at work, in a physical struggle with the elements. Through Indrelid’s lense we can see the sparks in the rebuilt workshop – cutting torch and welding mask, water, clay, bronze, stone, glass and fire, but no brush and palette. Indrelid has watched Nico at work for years, seen him finish works that has been displayed in public places, as well as privately owned works withheld from the public – but not from the photographer. The last part of the book shows a large selection of Nico Widerberg’s works, with emphasis on the most recent production. The book is designed by Henrik Haugan.

Barnum and Fred are half-brothers, growing up in the sixties Oslo. Barnum seems to have stopped growing, while his older half-brother, conceived after the rape of their mother and frustrated but learning difficulties, is sent away to a special school. Barnum's father is no better than a con-man, giving the appearance of a travelling salesman; while the three women in the family (mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother - 'the Old One') are all unwed mothers. Then the 'Old one' is killed by a hit and run driver - and Fred become mute as a result. The two half-brothers embark on their separate courses, Fred becoming a boxer and Barnum a scriptwriter, hoping to create a new genre in film, "The Northern" (as apposed to the Western). This literary marvel tells the story of an ordinary family in the 1960's, set apart by extraordinary family members and of two half-brothers leading very different and separate lives until they are brought together again at their mother's deathbed...

Polubrat je porodična hronika sagledana kroz iskrivljenu vizuru glavnog junaka Barnuma – čoveka neobičnog imena i neobičnog izgleda. Barnum, praunuk, unuk, sin i polubrat, odmotava i zamotava klupko svoje porodične istorije, tragajući za korenima svog umetničkog stvaranja. Njegovo traganje grana se i u vremenu i u prostoru, krećući se više od pola veka od Osla do Grenlanda i Italije. Priča koja čitaoce neprekidno zasmejava i puni im oči suzama pravo je remek-delo norveške književnosti.

Oslo 1974: Kim, die Hauptperson aus Christensens Roman „Yesterday“ kehrt mit dem Schiff zurück in seine Heimatstadt. Während er durch die Straßen geht, stolpert er über seine alten Freunde: Seb, der als Undergroundpoet seine Gedichte auf der Straße verkauft, Gunnar, der als überzeugter Kommunist in einer Druckerei arbeitet, und Ola, der als wandelnder Kühlschrank Reklame läuft. Doch der Schwung der 60er Jahre ist dahin, statt mitreißender Beatles-Songs dudelt Abbas Grand-Prix-Siegertitel „Waterloo“ aus den Radios. Das Leben, die Stadt, selbst die Freunde sind Kim fremd geworden. Er ist auf der Suche nach seinen Wurzeln – und fährt schließlich mit dem Postschiff die norwegische Küste entlang, nur um sie irgendwo zu finden … Die fulminante Fortsetzung des Erfolgsromans „Yesterday“.

In den Sommerferien trainiert Otto täglich mit dem neuen Fussball. Nichts wünscht er sich so sehr, als in der Mannschaft aufgestellt zu werden.

Vom Autor des Bestsellers „Der Halbbruder“ Der Maler Peter Wihl hat es geschafft: Er ist berühmt, hat Frau und Tochter, die er über alles liebt, und in einem halben Jahr wird es anlässlich seines 50. Geburtstags eine große Ausstellung geben. Da ereilt ihn ein schrecklicher Schicksalsschlag: Eine unheilbare Augenkrankheit wird ihn in einigen Monaten erblinden lassen. In seiner Not wendet sich Wihl an einen alten Schulfreund, einen gescheiterten Augenarzt, der ihm mittels zwielichtiger Methoden Heilung verspricht. Und tatsächlich erhält der Künstler sein Augenlicht zurück. Doch der Preis, den er zahlt, ist hoch.

Eleven-year-old Herman is not that different from other boys; except that he is going bald. Presented with this dilemma, Herman uses his fertile imagination and comical viewpoint on life to navigate through the rough seas commonly known as "growing up." In the process, he teaches everyone something about friendship, courage, acceptance, and love.