A Blessed Child" "is a haunting parable of innocence lost from the internationally acclaimed author of "Grace "and "StellaDescending."
Every su... read full description
Every su... read full description
reviews
Jun 30, 2011
Katariina
rated it: 
Too realistic, too predictable.The characters are not interesting enough to carry the story, even the childhood tragedies don't evoke much emotional attachment. Yes, the final part of the novel was captivating, (for example the relationship between Ragnar and Marion kept me waiting for a resolution and made the characters more likable), but the spell broke at the end of the book. I really had no interest in what will become of the sisters and Isak and I felt that using a childhood drama was an e
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Feb 16, 2011
Christina
rated it:
Longlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, A Blessed Child had me for the first 100 pages and then it just sort of teetered off from there. The reader doesn’t actually find out why the three sisters, Erika, Laura, and Molly, stop visiting Hammarsö, a tiny island in the Baltic Sea, when Erika was 14 until around page 218, and even then the story refuses to confront the problem, choosing instead to continue with the flashbacks.
The story begins, though, with the eldest daught More...
The story begins, though, with the eldest daught More...
Jan 29, 2012
Oceana2602
rated it: 
Sometimes you can tell by the writing where the author of a books come from. Is that just me? Russian books often have that endless feeling, sad, slow, cruel and limitless. British books are rainy (come on, have you ever read a British book where rain hasn't been mentioned at least once?). This book is norwegian, and, well, I haven't read many Norwegian books yet, but I've been to Norway, and this book certainly felt "norwegian" to me.
Whatever that means.
Wait, that me More...
Whatever that means.
Wait, that me More...
Jan 01, 2009
Tory
rated it: 
Most of this book takes place on a remote island in the Baltic Sea. I really liked the writing which is very beautiful, very moody. The characters are unique and kind of fascinating and the author moves the story to its inevitable crescendo in a skillful and engaging way.
Apr 09, 2009
Stephanie
rated it:
Eh. Another atmospheric book about a character returning to the scene of a tragedy, though the tragedy is second to the drama of the family. A lot was left unsaid, and I wanted it to be said. The whole thing left me cold.
Aug 16, 2010
Marita
rated it:
Very Scandinavian, artsy and straight forward in a vague way. Really 2,5 is more accurate I was so mad about how those girls behaved!!! Beautiful summer childhood passes to miserably cold and lonely winter adulthood.
Feb 13, 2009
John
rated it:
I read it all but didn t like the ending--I was hoping all three women would finally come together with their biological father--it ended when they were almost there--darn.
Jan 21, 2012
Stephen
rated it:
was disappointed with this book had so much potenial but the author lost her way with the plot and in the end you didn't really feel anything for the characters
Feb 12, 2008
wmc
rated it: 
Beautiful and heartbreaking story about a man and his various children. The author weaves through the different POVs relentlessly, steadily, elliptically, and she turns the "coming home" storyline into something magical, sharp, dreamlike, and devastating most of all.
Oct 25, 2008
Jessica
rated it:
Mainly set on a Swedish island during consecutive summers of the narrators' girlhoods. Like peeking into a dollhouse. Lovely descriptions, lovely writing. A bit dark, despite the endless northern sun.
Aug 11, 2009
Theresa
rated it:
Beautiful and very Swedish film-like portrayal of one summer in the lives of three sisters, when the eldest is 14. Wonderfully crafted with no unnecesssary parts. Haunting.
Feb 04, 2012
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