Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Stockholm : Norstedt, 1987 ;
Description
En piges triste og problemfyldte opvækst, præget af fattigdom og undertrykkelse, i en nordnorsk flække i årene efter den 2. verdenskrig.
User reviews
LibraryThing member japaul22
This is a novel written in 1981 by Norwegian author, Herbjorg Wassmo. I learned about this book from the 1001 books to read before you die list, and I'm so glad I did. It is a tough subject matter, centering around a young girl who is being sexually abused by her stepfather, but Wassmo manages to
Tora lives in a small Norwegian fishing village with her mother, Ingrid, who is a social outcast after having an affair with a German soldier during WWII. Tora is the outcome of that relationship. Ingrid later marries Henrik, a man who is an alcoholic and is sexually abusing Tora while her mother works the night shift at the local plant. The book centers around Tora, Ingrid, and Ingrid's sister Rachel. Rachel has a happy marriage to Simon. They are well off financially though have the sadness of not being able to conceive children.
The book is beautifully written and subtly but thoroughly explores several themes, many centering on women's interactions and relationships with each other, the good and the bad. Apparently this is the first of a trilogy, but I'm having trouble finding the other books in English translation. If anyone has any leads on that I'd be very interested. I bought this book used as I think even this first volume may be out of print in English.
Definitely recommended.
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make the book about so much more without negating the trauma of abuse. Tora lives in a small Norwegian fishing village with her mother, Ingrid, who is a social outcast after having an affair with a German soldier during WWII. Tora is the outcome of that relationship. Ingrid later marries Henrik, a man who is an alcoholic and is sexually abusing Tora while her mother works the night shift at the local plant. The book centers around Tora, Ingrid, and Ingrid's sister Rachel. Rachel has a happy marriage to Simon. They are well off financially though have the sadness of not being able to conceive children.
The book is beautifully written and subtly but thoroughly explores several themes, many centering on women's interactions and relationships with each other, the good and the bad. Apparently this is the first of a trilogy, but I'm having trouble finding the other books in English translation. If anyone has any leads on that I'd be very interested. I bought this book used as I think even this first volume may be out of print in English.
Definitely recommended.
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LibraryThing member arubabookwoman
This book by Herbjorg Wassmo, a Norwegian novelist who won the 1986 Nordic Prize, is on the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list. It is told from the point of view of Tora, a young girl who feels isolated within her family, and within the poor fishing village where she lives. She senses there is
Her mother blames Tora for the circumstances in which the family finds itself: 'If only you were able to take care of yourself at night, then I'd still have my job!' Her mother is distant, and try as she might, Tora is unable to win her mother's love: 'It often happened that when Tora tried to talk to her mother, Ingrid hung a kind of curtain between them. Tora's words stopped, stuck in the curtain. Never got through.'
Tora's inner life is tender and troubling, and Wassmo's creation of her social and physical environment (in the northernmost reaches of Norway) feels true and real.
I'm not sure that this should be a 1001 book, though. I have also read Wassmo's Dina's Book, which has somewhat similar themes, but is much more complex in its characterizations and more expansive in its scope and plot. While I recommend both books, if you are only going to read one, I recommend that you read Dinas Book.
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something shameful about her birth. She fears her abusive, alcoholic stepfather. And she yearns for the approval of her mother. Her mother blames Tora for the circumstances in which the family finds itself: 'If only you were able to take care of yourself at night, then I'd still have my job!' Her mother is distant, and try as she might, Tora is unable to win her mother's love: 'It often happened that when Tora tried to talk to her mother, Ingrid hung a kind of curtain between them. Tora's words stopped, stuck in the curtain. Never got through.'
Tora's inner life is tender and troubling, and Wassmo's creation of her social and physical environment (in the northernmost reaches of Norway) feels true and real.
I'm not sure that this should be a 1001 book, though. I have also read Wassmo's Dina's Book, which has somewhat similar themes, but is much more complex in its characterizations and more expansive in its scope and plot. While I recommend both books, if you are only going to read one, I recommend that you read Dinas Book.
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LibraryThing member amerynth
Herbjog Wassmo's "The House with the Blind Glass Windows" is a good book but profoundly sad, making it difficult to read.
Her protagonist Tora is living in a very poor fishing village and suffers abuse of every kind imaginable at the hands of her stepfather. Her mother has essentially checked out
Much of the book focuses on Tora's inner life and longing to escape. It really rings true and has an honest feel about it. I liked Tora and the writing enough that I will be on the lookout for the other books in the trilogy.
Her protagonist Tora is living in a very poor fishing village and suffers abuse of every kind imaginable at the hands of her stepfather. Her mother has essentially checked out
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and Tora suffers in silence.Much of the book focuses on Tora's inner life and longing to escape. It really rings true and has an honest feel about it. I liked Tora and the writing enough that I will be on the lookout for the other books in the trilogy.
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LibraryThing member Kristelh
This is a beautifully written book about a very disturbing subject. Sexual abuse of a child. Set on an island in northern Norway, Tora is the daughter of Ingrid. Her step father is a worthless man filled with hatred. This story thankfully is tastefully done and in my opinion captures what a young
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girl does to survive a horrible situation. Show Less
LibraryThing member sushicat
This is the story of Tora, who lives with her mother and her abusive step father in a small village in Norway shortly after the Second World War. As she is the child of a German soldier, a lot of derision comes her way. Their circumstances are precarious, her stepfather is mostly out of work and
The story is told from the point of view of the eleven year old Tora, who tries to make sense of the adult world around her and builds dream worlds in order to cope with the fear of her stepfather. The way the story is told is impressive and feels very authentic. The helplessness and shame, the inability to articulate, the surprise at finding kindness in others - these make for quite a heartbreaking tale. But the strength in Tora gives hope for the future and balances the tale.
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her mother has to work night shifts at the fish factory. The situation is similar for most of the village.The story is told from the point of view of the eleven year old Tora, who tries to make sense of the adult world around her and builds dream worlds in order to cope with the fear of her stepfather. The way the story is told is impressive and feels very authentic. The helplessness and shame, the inability to articulate, the surprise at finding kindness in others - these make for quite a heartbreaking tale. But the strength in Tora gives hope for the future and balances the tale.
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LibraryThing member Britt84
Wassmo has long been one of my favorite authors and this novel - the first part of a trilogy - did not disappoint.
In the novel the young girl Tora lives a life in poverty, in a poor northern part of Norway. Her mother works hard to make ends meet and spends much time worrying, her stepfather abuses
Wassmo's writing style is lovely. She has a way of describing things in a very vivid manner, making you feel like you are right there with the characters, without going into lengthy, literal descriptions. The flow of the language is beautiful and she manages to give a realistic and intense portrait of the small, northern village where Tora lives.
The characters in the novel are also very vivid and feel like people you know personally. It feels like you are inside Tora, living her life, experiencing what she is feeling. The characters surrounding Tora are also complex and worked out very well, giving the novel a very realistic feel.
Though the novel is quite sad, there are also many funny and touching moments, making it a very complete story.
I feel like it is a pity Wassmo is so little known outside of Norway - I think she is a great author that many readers would appreciate.
In the novel the young girl Tora lives a life in poverty, in a poor northern part of Norway. Her mother works hard to make ends meet and spends much time worrying, her stepfather abuses
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her, and the villagers do not really accept her because her father was a German soldier, stationed there during the second world war. Tora spends her life walking on tiptoes, trying not to get in anybody's way - but her attempts to stay out of harm's way actually bring her into the middle of it...Wassmo's writing style is lovely. She has a way of describing things in a very vivid manner, making you feel like you are right there with the characters, without going into lengthy, literal descriptions. The flow of the language is beautiful and she manages to give a realistic and intense portrait of the small, northern village where Tora lives.
The characters in the novel are also very vivid and feel like people you know personally. It feels like you are inside Tora, living her life, experiencing what she is feeling. The characters surrounding Tora are also complex and worked out very well, giving the novel a very realistic feel.
Though the novel is quite sad, there are also many funny and touching moments, making it a very complete story.
I feel like it is a pity Wassmo is so little known outside of Norway - I think she is a great author that many readers would appreciate.
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Awards
Language
Original language
Norwegian
Original publication date
1981
Physical description
245 p.; 18 cm
ISBN
9118716814 / 9789118716812