レビュー要約

• 心理の反復と怒りの持続が強い印象を残すと評価されている。読む側にも緊張を強いるが、家族の沈黙がどのように被害を固定するかを鋭く示す。

レビュー

• Not satisfied

  I find the writer's approach in storytelling interesting as in the repetitiveness that reflects the way our brain processes life. But very soon it got me bored. I kept wishing for something more and never got it. It's almost like you can read the book in random order and not much will change. Also noted quite a few typos and errors in the english text.

• A novel? Well, maybe, but...

  This book caused a lot of controversy in Norway because Vigdis Hjorth paints the dreadful picture of a family which is easily identified as her own real-life family. There is horrific sexual abuse, there is cover-up and there are sisters who refuse to stand by the alleged victim. Can you accuse actual people of being sexual abusers, in writing? Without concrete evidence? Apparently you can, in Norway. Because in effect the laws of libel has been abolished there. But in this instance there is another version of 'the truth' in print, one written by Vigdis Hjorth's sister Helga. Appropriately, also in novel-form. And Helga questions the version given by her more famous sister. Vigdis is a great writer, as is reflected in this book, which is why I give it four stars. Sister Helga is not a great writer, not in a technical sense, but her book has, for me, a much louder ring of truth than the novel of Vigdis. Helga is a lawyer, so she knows what she is doing, she knows how to question things, and to address such issues as the actual evidence. I would suggest that both novels (the sister's book is called 'Free Will') need to be read in tandem. Critics have internationally been far too ready to accept the version of truth that Vigdis gives us. Which better fits into the current 'me-too' narrative. But maybe they are wrong? Perhaps too many readers are willing to uncritically accept what are obviously unreliable memories? Thus doing a grave injustice to an entire family, and not just to the father in question? Various basic questions arise out of the genre of 'autofiction,' much en vogue in Norway. Are great artists free of moral obligations, for instance? Can they do whatever they want, even at the price of damaging others, with the excuse of 'artistic freedom'? Are they freed of the requirement to tell the truth? Can they freely make false accusations? Of course not! What a ridiculous notion. Artists are subject to exactly the same moral laws as anyone else. If you want to form a sound opinion on such matters, I would recommend reading both books. As for myself: I would much prefer to invite Helga to a dinner conversation than the great novelist, her sister Vigdis. Who seems to me to be the unreliable narrator in this instance. Maybe relying too much on doubtful memories? And with little actual evidence to present?

• Superb!

  At last,a story that gets to the heart of the tangled mass of mixed emotions of this subject. Beautifully written and so honest. I totally got it. I got this book after I heard it's review on BBC 2 Between the covers. It did not disappoint.

• A Great Book

  I will never understand how a man's will power is totally lost when he crosses the incest line and decides his needs are more important than what his daughter or son will suffer for the rest of their life. To ruin the child's feeling of peace and safety and replace it with pain, guilt, fear, loss of trust which will follow them the rest of their lives. It sickens me to the umpth degree!! This book was extremely well written showing how just one insane act totally breaks down the stability of the family and all the other siblings are confused, scared and not able to get an adult act that is beyond their years settled in their minds. The mother is just as bad for not listening and treating the victim with anger and distaste as if it was the child's choice. It was a tough story to get through - it was so emotional and heartbreaking. Still, I think all adults should read it. Maybe it will save children from being saddled with the betrayal, fear and guilt they have to deal with after an adult takes everything away. Tough to read, yes, but definitely worth it.

• Engrossing and difficult read, but BRILLIANT

  Like is not a word to choose. Thought provoking and very different. A book to keep.

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