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1971. aasta sügisel hukkuvad Prantsusmaal Esimese maailmasõja lahingupaigas noor norralane ja tema prantslannast elukaaslane. Nende kolmeaastane poeg Edvard kaob jäljetult. Neli päeva hiljem ilmub laps välja kadumiskohast sadakond kilomeetrit eemal.
Edvard kasvab üles vanaisa juures üksildases Norra mägitalus. Kui vanaisa sureb, seisab 23-aastane Edvard silmitsi mitme mõistatusega. Miks läksid tema vanemad ohtlikkumetsa, ja kas see oli juhus, et sõjaaegne gaasimürsk nende jalge all lõhkes? Ja kes saatis vanaisa matusteks imeilusa haruldasest puidust puusärgi?
Vastuseid otsides satub Edvard Shetlandile ja Prantsusmaale ning kaevab mineviku hämaratest soppidest välja oma perekonna loo, mis on tihedalt seotud nii20. sajandi Euroopa suurte tragöödiatega kui kaühe rahutu hingega tisleriga, kes läks kolmekümnendatel aastatel Pariisi õnne otsima
Edvard kasvab üles vanaisa juures üksildases Norra mägitalus. Kui vanaisa sureb, seisab 23-aastane Edvard silmitsi mitme mõistatusega. Miks läksid tema vanemad ohtlikkumetsa, ja kas see oli juhus, et sõjaaegne gaasimürsk nende jalge all lõhkes? Ja kes saatis vanaisa matusteks imeilusa haruldasest puidust puusärgi?
Vastuseid otsides satub Edvard Shetlandile ja Prantsusmaale ning kaevab mineviku hämaratest soppidest välja oma perekonna loo, mis on tihedalt seotud nii20. sajandi Euroopa suurte tragöödiatega kui kaühe rahutu hingega tisleriga, kes läks kolmekümnendatel aastatel Pariisi õnne otsima
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2014
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About the author
Lars Mytting
17 books725 followersLars Mytting er en norsk journalist og forfatter. Mytting har arbeidet som forlagsredaktør og journalist i Dagningen, Aftenposten, Arbeiderbladet og Beat.
Arbeidet senere som forlagsredaktør, før han fikk utgitt romanen Hestekrefter i 2006.
Arbeidet senere som forlagsredaktør, før han fikk utgitt romanen Hestekrefter i 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,032 reviews
February 1, 2023
The Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting
Narrated by Robin Laing
From the age of almost four, Edvard was raised by his grandfather, Sverre. It was on a trip, under mysterious circumstances, that Edvard's parents died and Edvard went missing for four days. Once he was discovered miles away from where his parents died, Sverre rushed to pick up Edvard to take him home to the family potato farm.
Life was lonely and isolated for Edvard. Sverre had fought on the wrong side of the war and both Sverre and Edvard were often taunted by the people of their small community. Sverre dies and Edvard learns that a beautiful coffin has been waiting for his burial. A coffin that Edvard's estranged great uncle Einar made. Edvard's ex girlfriend, Hanne, has just come back into his life and is ready for marriage. But the past is pulling on Edvard, a past that he knows that his grandfather had hidden from him. He must find out more about his background and why his parents died.
During Edvard's search for the past and the truth, he meets Gwen, who seems to have secrets and who might be connected to the answers that Edvard is searching for. While I did like Edvard, he comes across as selfish and greedy during much of the story, with his search for answers and a mysterious inheritance running roughshod over his relationships with Hanne and Gwen. I enjoyed the story but wished that Edvard didn't lose track of his responsibilities during his time of discovery. His search did not bring out the best from Edvard and I could only hope that the searching might end up making him a better person than he was becoming during the search.
This was both a beautiful and an ugly story. I thought the narration of the story was beautiful and also many of the descriptions of nature, creativity, and talent felt like poetry. Then there is the relating of the Battle of the Somme and what happens to the Black Watch Soldiers and we are getting a mirror of the loss of so much life through history, in such numbers, when individual faces can't count when the losses number at over a million at that battle and millions more losses throughout history.
Audio pub May 31, 2022
Thank you to RB Media/Recorded Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Narrated by Robin Laing
From the age of almost four, Edvard was raised by his grandfather, Sverre. It was on a trip, under mysterious circumstances, that Edvard's parents died and Edvard went missing for four days. Once he was discovered miles away from where his parents died, Sverre rushed to pick up Edvard to take him home to the family potato farm.
Life was lonely and isolated for Edvard. Sverre had fought on the wrong side of the war and both Sverre and Edvard were often taunted by the people of their small community. Sverre dies and Edvard learns that a beautiful coffin has been waiting for his burial. A coffin that Edvard's estranged great uncle Einar made. Edvard's ex girlfriend, Hanne, has just come back into his life and is ready for marriage. But the past is pulling on Edvard, a past that he knows that his grandfather had hidden from him. He must find out more about his background and why his parents died.
During Edvard's search for the past and the truth, he meets Gwen, who seems to have secrets and who might be connected to the answers that Edvard is searching for. While I did like Edvard, he comes across as selfish and greedy during much of the story, with his search for answers and a mysterious inheritance running roughshod over his relationships with Hanne and Gwen. I enjoyed the story but wished that Edvard didn't lose track of his responsibilities during his time of discovery. His search did not bring out the best from Edvard and I could only hope that the searching might end up making him a better person than he was becoming during the search.
This was both a beautiful and an ugly story. I thought the narration of the story was beautiful and also many of the descriptions of nature, creativity, and talent felt like poetry. Then there is the relating of the Battle of the Somme and what happens to the Black Watch Soldiers and we are getting a mirror of the loss of so much life through history, in such numbers, when individual faces can't count when the losses number at over a million at that battle and millions more losses throughout history.
Audio pub May 31, 2022
Thank you to RB Media/Recorded Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
July 17, 2017
This is a stunning novel by Lars Mytting translated from the Norwegian. Edvard has grown up with his grandfather, Sverre, on a remote farm in the mountains. He has learned the family trade of potato farming and keeping sheep successfully. It is a lonely life, living in a small community where everyone is curious, know everyone's business and are unforgiving at times. Sverre's death hits Edvard hard as he ponders over his future and the mystery of the beautiful art deco coffin, handmade many years ago for Sverre, by his supposedly dead brother, Einar, a master cabinetmaker. Conflict kept Einar away from the farm and it seems it is connected with the mystery of the death of Edvard's parents from an unexploded gas shell at Authuille, in France. The young Edvard disappeared for 4 days from the scene, assumed to have been abducted. He has no memory of this time, but he yearns to know more about Einar and his parents. This is a quest for his personal identity, ghosts, love, a tragic family history, trees, loss, grief, and an unusual inheritance.
Despite the appearance of his ex-girlfriend, Hanne, who intimates that she is ready to be his wife, Edvard gives in to his deepest urges and goes to the Shetland Islands to find out more about Einar. Apparently Einar became both a boatbuilder and coffin maker, living life as a recluse and bequeathing a contested legacy to Edvard. He becomes aware of the inheritance and its intertwined conflicting history between Einar and the Winterfinch family. He encounters Gwen, who is given to deception and armed with ulterior motives, but he is inexorably drawn to her as a woman as he shrugs off his relationship with Hanne and his responsiblities for his farm. Their relationship is coloured by and echoes the tensions and conflicts of the past beween Einar and her grandfather, Duncan Winterfinch and the fate of 16 Walnut Trees belonging to the family of Isabelle Daveaux, who suffered terribly under the Gestapo. Edvard is compelled to visit the Somme, Authuille, where his parents died, as he learns of the horrors and anguish that have visited his family. His memories of his disappearance for 4 days slowly filter back to him, although they bring him little comfort but he now knows the truth. His relationship with Gwen is fraught and threatens to splinter under the weight of their families shared past and the inheritance.
This is epic storytelling from the author, he weaves a compelling history of a family and twentieth century history encompassing both the First and Second World Wars. Reading about the fate of Black Watch Soldiers and the Battle of the Somme, which resulted in the loss of well over a million lives over a small piece of wood, speaks of the monumental horrors and pain of war with its consequent lingering effects on the area in the years to come. The knowledge and expertise of trees, and wood, is inherently fascinating as is their symbolism when Edvard plants 16 walnut trees on his farm in honour of the dead trees and soldiers at the Somme, his family ghosts and to memorialise family history. This is a story of remarkable depth with characters rendered authentic as they live through the grim realities of European history and the personal toll it exacts from them. Einar carving coffins, and the use of coffins, is highly symbolic in the novel as it highlights the death and suffering of so many. A brilliant read that I cannot recommend highly enough. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
Despite the appearance of his ex-girlfriend, Hanne, who intimates that she is ready to be his wife, Edvard gives in to his deepest urges and goes to the Shetland Islands to find out more about Einar. Apparently Einar became both a boatbuilder and coffin maker, living life as a recluse and bequeathing a contested legacy to Edvard. He becomes aware of the inheritance and its intertwined conflicting history between Einar and the Winterfinch family. He encounters Gwen, who is given to deception and armed with ulterior motives, but he is inexorably drawn to her as a woman as he shrugs off his relationship with Hanne and his responsiblities for his farm. Their relationship is coloured by and echoes the tensions and conflicts of the past beween Einar and her grandfather, Duncan Winterfinch and the fate of 16 Walnut Trees belonging to the family of Isabelle Daveaux, who suffered terribly under the Gestapo. Edvard is compelled to visit the Somme, Authuille, where his parents died, as he learns of the horrors and anguish that have visited his family. His memories of his disappearance for 4 days slowly filter back to him, although they bring him little comfort but he now knows the truth. His relationship with Gwen is fraught and threatens to splinter under the weight of their families shared past and the inheritance.
This is epic storytelling from the author, he weaves a compelling history of a family and twentieth century history encompassing both the First and Second World Wars. Reading about the fate of Black Watch Soldiers and the Battle of the Somme, which resulted in the loss of well over a million lives over a small piece of wood, speaks of the monumental horrors and pain of war with its consequent lingering effects on the area in the years to come. The knowledge and expertise of trees, and wood, is inherently fascinating as is their symbolism when Edvard plants 16 walnut trees on his farm in honour of the dead trees and soldiers at the Somme, his family ghosts and to memorialise family history. This is a story of remarkable depth with characters rendered authentic as they live through the grim realities of European history and the personal toll it exacts from them. Einar carving coffins, and the use of coffins, is highly symbolic in the novel as it highlights the death and suffering of so many. A brilliant read that I cannot recommend highly enough. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
August 10, 2017
I am reposting this review as my original has disappeared on this site!
This is a stunning novel by Lars Mytting translated from the Norwegian. Edvard has grown up with his grandfather, Sverre, on a remote farm in the mountains. He has learned the family trade of potato farming and keeping sheep successfully. It is a lonely life, living in a small community where everyone is curious, know everyone's business and are unforgiving at times. Sverre's death hits Edvard hard as he ponders over his future and the mystery of the beautiful art deco coffin, handmade many years ago for Sverre, by his supposedly dead brother, Einar, a master cabinetmaker. Conflict kept Einar away from the farm and it seems it is connected with the mystery of the death of Edvard's parents from an unexploded gas shell at Authuille, in France. The young Edvard disappeared for 4 days from the scene, assumed to have been abducted. He has no memory of this time, but he yearns to know more about Einar and his parents. This is a quest for his personal identity, ghosts, love, a tragic family history, trees, loss, grief, and an unusual inheritance.
Despite the appearance of his ex-girlfriend, Hanne, who intimates that she is ready to be his wife, Edvard gives in to his deepest urges and goes to the Shetland Islands to find out more about Einar. Apparently Einar became both a boatbuilder and coffin maker, living life as a recluse and bequeathing a contested legacy to Edvard. He becomes aware of the inheritance and its intertwined conflicting history between Einar and the Winterfinch family. He encounters Gwen, who is given to deception and armed with ulterior motives, but he is inexorably drawn to her as a woman as he shrugs off his relationship with Hanne and his responsiblities for his farm. Their relationship is coloured by and echoes the tensions and conflicts of the past beween Einar and her grandfather, Duncan Winterfinch and the fate of 16 Walnut Trees belonging to the family of Isabelle Daveaux, who suffered terribly under the Gestapo. Edvard is compelled to visit the Somme, Authuille, where his parents died, as he learns of the horrors and anguish that have visited his family. His memories of his disappearance for 4 days slowly filter back to him, although they bring him little comfort but he now knows the truth. His relationship with Gwen is fraught and threatens to splinter under the weight of their families shared past and the inheritance.
This is epic storytelling from the author, he weaves a compelling history of a family and twentieth century history encompassing both the First and Second World Wars. Reading about the fate of Black Watch Soldiers and the Battle of the Somme, which resulted in the loss of well over a million lives over a small piece of wood, speaks of the monumental horrors and pain of war with its consequent lingering effects on the area in the years to come. The knowledge and expertise of trees, and wood, is inherently fascinating as is their symbolism when Edvard plants 16 walnut trees on his farm in honour of the dead trees and soldiers at the Somme, his family ghosts and to memorialise family history. This is a story of remarkable depth with characters rendered authentic as they live through the grim realities of European history and the personal toll it exacts from them. Einar carving coffins, and the use of coffins, is highly symbolic in the novel as it highlights the death and suffering of so many. A brilliant read that I cannot recommend highly enough. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
This is a stunning novel by Lars Mytting translated from the Norwegian. Edvard has grown up with his grandfather, Sverre, on a remote farm in the mountains. He has learned the family trade of potato farming and keeping sheep successfully. It is a lonely life, living in a small community where everyone is curious, know everyone's business and are unforgiving at times. Sverre's death hits Edvard hard as he ponders over his future and the mystery of the beautiful art deco coffin, handmade many years ago for Sverre, by his supposedly dead brother, Einar, a master cabinetmaker. Conflict kept Einar away from the farm and it seems it is connected with the mystery of the death of Edvard's parents from an unexploded gas shell at Authuille, in France. The young Edvard disappeared for 4 days from the scene, assumed to have been abducted. He has no memory of this time, but he yearns to know more about Einar and his parents. This is a quest for his personal identity, ghosts, love, a tragic family history, trees, loss, grief, and an unusual inheritance.
Despite the appearance of his ex-girlfriend, Hanne, who intimates that she is ready to be his wife, Edvard gives in to his deepest urges and goes to the Shetland Islands to find out more about Einar. Apparently Einar became both a boatbuilder and coffin maker, living life as a recluse and bequeathing a contested legacy to Edvard. He becomes aware of the inheritance and its intertwined conflicting history between Einar and the Winterfinch family. He encounters Gwen, who is given to deception and armed with ulterior motives, but he is inexorably drawn to her as a woman as he shrugs off his relationship with Hanne and his responsiblities for his farm. Their relationship is coloured by and echoes the tensions and conflicts of the past beween Einar and her grandfather, Duncan Winterfinch and the fate of 16 Walnut Trees belonging to the family of Isabelle Daveaux, who suffered terribly under the Gestapo. Edvard is compelled to visit the Somme, Authuille, where his parents died, as he learns of the horrors and anguish that have visited his family. His memories of his disappearance for 4 days slowly filter back to him, although they bring him little comfort but he now knows the truth. His relationship with Gwen is fraught and threatens to splinter under the weight of their families shared past and the inheritance.
This is epic storytelling from the author, he weaves a compelling history of a family and twentieth century history encompassing both the First and Second World Wars. Reading about the fate of Black Watch Soldiers and the Battle of the Somme, which resulted in the loss of well over a million lives over a small piece of wood, speaks of the monumental horrors and pain of war with its consequent lingering effects on the area in the years to come. The knowledge and expertise of trees, and wood, is inherently fascinating as is their symbolism when Edvard plants 16 walnut trees on his farm in honour of the dead trees and soldiers at the Somme, his family ghosts and to memorialise family history. This is a story of remarkable depth with characters rendered authentic as they live through the grim realities of European history and the personal toll it exacts from them. Einar carving coffins, and the use of coffins, is highly symbolic in the novel as it highlights the death and suffering of so many. A brilliant read that I cannot recommend highly enough. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
June 26, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook which offers a rather complicated story of two brothers who make two different decisions which influence their family. I expected Norway as the setting but the Author takes us to the Shetland Islands and France and tells a tale that covers several generations and a mystery.
The trees of the Somme play a very special part in this story and I loved the part focusing on them.
Good narration added to my enjoyment.
*Many thanks to Lars Mytting, RB Media, and NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
The trees of the Somme play a very special part in this story and I loved the part focusing on them.
Good narration added to my enjoyment.
*Many thanks to Lars Mytting, RB Media, and NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
April 27, 2019
I absolutely ADORED "The Sixteen Trees of the Somme" beautifully written by Lars Mytting and found it powerful, poignant, thought provoking and very rich in emotion.
'Edvard grows up on a remote mountain farmstead in Norway with his taciturn grandfather, Sverre. The death of his parents, when he was three years old, has always been shrouded in mystery - he has never been told how or where it took place and has only a distant memory of his mother. But he knows that the fate of his grandfather's brother, Einar, is somehow bound up with this mystery. Edvard's desperate quest to unlock the family's tragic secrets takes him on a long journey - from Norway to the Shetlands, and to the battlefields of France - to the discovery of a very unusual inheritance. The Sixteen Trees of the Somme is about the love of wood and finding your own self, a beautifully intricate and moving tale that spans an entire century.'
Excellently translated from the original Norwegian writing by Paul Russell Garrett, I personally felt nothing was lost in translation and the atmospheric feel of the haunting battlefields of the Somme years after the war and the WW2 concentration camps couldn't have been better described, moving and emotional and vividly brought to life to show the horrors and devastation of war.
The weaving together of the connecting chapters was second to none and I really felt I went on an epic journey following Edvard as he discovered family secrets and the truth of his 'missing' few days. Truly brilliant, I devoured every word and followed every sentence. The depth of the writing showed a talent by an author that deserves the highest praise. Although I do believe this book won't be for everyone, if you do however love literary, historical sagas with a mystery and suspense element, you should fall in love with this book as much as I did. I'd happily recommend this stunning story, its a one that will resonate with me for a very long time!
5 wonderful stars!
'Edvard grows up on a remote mountain farmstead in Norway with his taciturn grandfather, Sverre. The death of his parents, when he was three years old, has always been shrouded in mystery - he has never been told how or where it took place and has only a distant memory of his mother. But he knows that the fate of his grandfather's brother, Einar, is somehow bound up with this mystery. Edvard's desperate quest to unlock the family's tragic secrets takes him on a long journey - from Norway to the Shetlands, and to the battlefields of France - to the discovery of a very unusual inheritance. The Sixteen Trees of the Somme is about the love of wood and finding your own self, a beautifully intricate and moving tale that spans an entire century.'
Excellently translated from the original Norwegian writing by Paul Russell Garrett, I personally felt nothing was lost in translation and the atmospheric feel of the haunting battlefields of the Somme years after the war and the WW2 concentration camps couldn't have been better described, moving and emotional and vividly brought to life to show the horrors and devastation of war.
The weaving together of the connecting chapters was second to none and I really felt I went on an epic journey following Edvard as he discovered family secrets and the truth of his 'missing' few days. Truly brilliant, I devoured every word and followed every sentence. The depth of the writing showed a talent by an author that deserves the highest praise. Although I do believe this book won't be for everyone, if you do however love literary, historical sagas with a mystery and suspense element, you should fall in love with this book as much as I did. I'd happily recommend this stunning story, its a one that will resonate with me for a very long time!
5 wonderful stars!
March 14, 2022
In a remote mountain farmstead in Norway, Edvard tries to come to terms with his past. He lost his parents when he was three years old and never learned anything about them, after which was raised by his grandfather, who just passed away. Now, Edvard is handed a letter and with it a coffin, which in itself is a masterful piece of art. The letter explains he is to decide whether or not the coffin should be used. Edvard suspects the coffin was sent by his great-uncle Einar and sees it as a message - since his grandfather refused Einar permission to see Edvard on his tenth birthday, as two brothers were estranged. A priest adds another piece to the mystery, he knows of an argument between his great-uncle and his mother. He traced that argument to a mysterious inheritance.
When Edvard starts unearthing the secrets of the past, the search takes him to Shetland Islands where he tries to find out answers to what happened in 1971. The lead takes him to a hairdresser who cut his great-uncle’s hair for the first time in 1943. He is told, despite his great-uncle’s upbeat personality, they revealed very little about themselves, because everyone was careful with words during the war. Then, she heard of some dealings between timber merchant and a cabinetmaker, followed by disagreement.
Encompassing both wars of the 20th century, the story is further complicated by what connects both men - timber. There are walnut trees, of great sentimental value to one, which stand in an area of fire and destruction. Another is asked to rescue them.
The sleuthing is masterfully executed and the complexity of the plot is deepened by fully dimensional characters.
The sense of place is beautifully explored through the Shetland Islands. An island in itself is a work of nature, at times, with its strong winds and furious waves that carry natural resources of driftwood to its shores, and what you can create with it, is finely woven into the story. And the remoteness of the island, where life is simple and time has stopped, not giving way to new inventions, rather exposing the raw beauty of the island. And along the way, the history of the island.
The story is multilayered, also involving events of one of the deadliest battles in human history, presented authentically with depth and respect, skillfully blending both human nature and nature in itself.
The pace of the story moves with waves, slow and fast, with some heavy dialogue at times.
P.S. In the US, previously one more book was published by this author - The Bell in the Lake, which I highly recommend.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
When Edvard starts unearthing the secrets of the past, the search takes him to Shetland Islands where he tries to find out answers to what happened in 1971. The lead takes him to a hairdresser who cut his great-uncle’s hair for the first time in 1943. He is told, despite his great-uncle’s upbeat personality, they revealed very little about themselves, because everyone was careful with words during the war. Then, she heard of some dealings between timber merchant and a cabinetmaker, followed by disagreement.
Encompassing both wars of the 20th century, the story is further complicated by what connects both men - timber. There are walnut trees, of great sentimental value to one, which stand in an area of fire and destruction. Another is asked to rescue them.
The sleuthing is masterfully executed and the complexity of the plot is deepened by fully dimensional characters.
The sense of place is beautifully explored through the Shetland Islands. An island in itself is a work of nature, at times, with its strong winds and furious waves that carry natural resources of driftwood to its shores, and what you can create with it, is finely woven into the story. And the remoteness of the island, where life is simple and time has stopped, not giving way to new inventions, rather exposing the raw beauty of the island. And along the way, the history of the island.
The story is multilayered, also involving events of one of the deadliest battles in human history, presented authentically with depth and respect, skillfully blending both human nature and nature in itself.
The pace of the story moves with waves, slow and fast, with some heavy dialogue at times.
P.S. In the US, previously one more book was published by this author - The Bell in the Lake, which I highly recommend.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
October 7, 2017
4.5 stars. A journey from Norway to Shetland and France to solve a personal mystery. Very well written, it felt like watching a film. Been to the area in France, been to the Thiepval Memorial. Lars Mytting described the haunting atmosphere very well. Read it in Dutch.
October 5, 2018
Sometimes when a book is translated into English the music of the original language is lost. I feel that this read has been beautifully translated and the very essence of the original book is in tact. Lars Mytting is a master story teller, creating an intriguing, complex and beautiful read. He has woven different elements of time, people of different countries thrown together from life’s decisions, war and touching on events of history. Edvard, (Édouard, Edward) Hirifjell (the 3 versions are relevant to the story) is a young man who has been raised by whom he believes to be his grandparents Alma and Sverre. He lives on a farm cultivating potatoes and managing sheep. It’s a reclusive life and the farm is almost totally self efficient. Edvard has an elusive memory of his childhood, a French childhood of when he was 4 years old, a memory of his parents but the events surrounding their death remain hidden from sight. When the Bestefar (grandfather), Sverre) dies Edvard is determined to discover the many events that have occurred but for which have been kept from him. Sverre had a brother Einar who did not want to farm and left to go to Paris to improve his talents of wood carving. The war comes, brothers are on opposing sides, Einar joins the French Resistance and Sverre takes the German uniform. He is shunned by the village people, the reason for the self efficiency of the farm. Eventually Edvard who has never been anywhere further than the local village after making a few phone calls decides to make his journey of discovery which takes him to the Shetland Islands and then onto France. During this time Edvard discovers added elements that Bestefar has kept from him which adds to the continuing suspense. In the mix of everything there is the plight of those taken to the concentration camps, children that survived their parents that are then raised by other surviving adults. This starts to add to the complexity of Edvard’s heritage. On the Shetland Islands “Edward” manages to make contact with those who knew Einar, remembered because of his decorative coffin making. As he starts to make connections he meets a young woman about his age who lives part-time on the island. She creates a fictitious name but Edward discovers her real identity. Gwen Winterfinch is also looking for the truth regarding a contract made by her grandfather and Einar. The complexity of the story deepens involving the Winterfinch Scottish timber merchants and special Walnut trees left in a prohibited woodland area of the Somme in France and of the special timber that had been removed from the woodland. Entry is prohibited due to the unexploded poisoness gas bombs. The story of Gwen’s grandfather and his own involvement in the war with the Black Watch troops and events of the war that affected his life add another dimension to the story. The two travel to France armed with the information Edvard was given from a now retired policewoman who remembers some of the events that surround his parents’ death that took place in the small village of the Somme area and the prohibited woodland. During all this time while seemingly supportive of Edvard, Gwen has her own ambitions to discover the truth of events. While in the same small village that his parents had been, the elusive memories re-emerge and he remembers, Édouard, the four year old. The final memories emerge with his realisation of his part in the events of his parents’ death. The mystery surrounding the priceless timber is still unsolved however with remarkable sleuthing a final return to the Shetland Islands Édouard solves the mystery.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book
April 14, 2022
The Sixteen Trees of the Somme is a complex tale of a young man, Edvard, gradually coming to grips with his family’s past and how it has created his present. Edvard has gaps in his early life stemming from the time his parents, Walter and Nicole, died in France. He has been told that he was with them on their trip but found a long distance away, four days after their deaths. He was three and his memories of those days are gone. People have hinted that he will be told more but that has never happened.
He lives on a rural, mountainside farm, with his grandfather, Serre, raising potatoes and sheep, feeling out of place in his life. When his grandfather dies, he is free/compelled to learn more about himself and the past.
This novel is set in rural Norway, the Shetland Islands and France. The settings become characters themselves, helping to define people and their actions over the course of a century. There are elements of family history, historical fiction back to a pivotal battle of World War I, mystery, and developmental or psychological novel. I do recommend this for those who like introspective novels with complex plots.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
He lives on a rural, mountainside farm, with his grandfather, Serre, raising potatoes and sheep, feeling out of place in his life. When his grandfather dies, he is free/compelled to learn more about himself and the past.
This novel is set in rural Norway, the Shetland Islands and France. The settings become characters themselves, helping to define people and their actions over the course of a century. There are elements of family history, historical fiction back to a pivotal battle of World War I, mystery, and developmental or psychological novel. I do recommend this for those who like introspective novels with complex plots.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
September 28, 2020
3.5/5
Viskas skandinaviškai paprasta. Minimalistiška. Neišradinėjant dviračio ir net nebandant apsimesti, kad gerai literatūrai jo pergalvojimas yra reikalingas. Mažas miestelis ir jo mažame katile verdantys įsisenėję stereotipai. Naujos pradžios ir lauktos pabaigos, prasidedančios ir pasibaigiančios žmonėmis – naujai gimstančiais, sugrįžtančiais, išeinančiais. Tokiais paprastais, nelabai lepiais, kaip bulvės. Kaip jos turi išaugti viena iš kitos, gavusios pradžią iš buvusių prieš tai, taip ir žmonės čia įsisuka į įprastinį laiko ir likimo ratą.
Negaliu neįsivertinti nepaprastai puikaus, o svarbiausia – pagarbaus vertimo. Viktorija Gercmanienė nesiima versti dainų ar grupių pavadinimų (jų čia, mano džiaugsmui, gausu), ginklų modelių, sąvokų, kurias skaitytojas gali norėti prikelti dar vienam gyvenimui, gilindamasis toliau, kapstydamas giliau. Šalia originalo yra pateikiamas vertimas tuomet, kai situacija to reikalauja, taip išvengiant absurdo lygį dažnai pasiekiančių vertimų ten, kur jie neturi eiti vieni, koja kojon nežengiant originalui. Tai – gaivus oro gurkšnis ir milžiniškas vertėjos ir redaktorės laimėjimas. Vis dėlto, nors pažintį su Myttingu pradėjau skambant Seserų varpams, kuriuos vis dar prisimenu su didžiausiu susižavėjimu, turiu pripažinti, kad Plauk su skęstančiais manęs nepaveikė toli gražu taip labai. Gal todėl, kad viskas atrodė jau truputį girdėta, pajausta? Truputį Knausgardiškai Kim Leine‘iška, lyg pritempta prie bandymo išlaikyti įtampą ir paslaptį, kuri toli gražu nėra nei Myttingo, nei pačios istorijos stipriausia puse. Nors pasakojama pirmuoju asmeniu, nesijaučiau iki galo pažinusi nei pagrindinio veikėjo, nei daugelio jį supusių. Einaro paveikslas, nors veikėjas jau senokai miręs, žiba kur kas ryškiau, nei pasakotojas ar jo mergina/priešininkė, o meilės istorija atrodo tokia nejauki ir nemaloni akiai – tokia lyg iš reikalo, tarsi tėvų suplanuota santuoka iš išskaičiavimo. Pagrindinis veikėjas vietomis toks stūmtraukis, toks neapsisprendėlis ir nenuovoka, o istorija per jo prizmę praranda Myttingo kaip pasakotojo žavesį. Ir bandymas knygą pritempti prie mįslingo trilerio, autoriui tinka ne iki galo – kaip ant akių krintanti skrybėlė, nuo kulnų slysčiojantys batai.
Knygoje apgalvoti maži dalykai, žavingos ir (ne)reikšmingos smulkmenos. Viskas skandinaviškai nugludinta iki menkiausių detalių, bet įtikina ne iki galo – gal nes jau girdėta, gal nes ne taip magiška, kaip Seserų varpai, su kuriais lygini net nenorėdamas, gal nes nuo sūnaus ir tėvo santykio analizės jaučiuosi truputį pervargusi. Čia yra tiek daug visko, kuo galima žavėtis, bet nesijaučiau nei iki galo paveikta, nei iki galo įtikinta. Truputį nuobodžiaujanti, truputį nutolusi.
Viskas skandinaviškai paprasta. Minimalistiška. Neišradinėjant dviračio ir net nebandant apsimesti, kad gerai literatūrai jo pergalvojimas yra reikalingas. Mažas miestelis ir jo mažame katile verdantys įsisenėję stereotipai. Naujos pradžios ir lauktos pabaigos, prasidedančios ir pasibaigiančios žmonėmis – naujai gimstančiais, sugrįžtančiais, išeinančiais. Tokiais paprastais, nelabai lepiais, kaip bulvės. Kaip jos turi išaugti viena iš kitos, gavusios pradžią iš buvusių prieš tai, taip ir žmonės čia įsisuka į įprastinį laiko ir likimo ratą.
Negaliu neįsivertinti nepaprastai puikaus, o svarbiausia – pagarbaus vertimo. Viktorija Gercmanienė nesiima versti dainų ar grupių pavadinimų (jų čia, mano džiaugsmui, gausu), ginklų modelių, sąvokų, kurias skaitytojas gali norėti prikelti dar vienam gyvenimui, gilindamasis toliau, kapstydamas giliau. Šalia originalo yra pateikiamas vertimas tuomet, kai situacija to reikalauja, taip išvengiant absurdo lygį dažnai pasiekiančių vertimų ten, kur jie neturi eiti vieni, koja kojon nežengiant originalui. Tai – gaivus oro gurkšnis ir milžiniškas vertėjos ir redaktorės laimėjimas. Vis dėlto, nors pažintį su Myttingu pradėjau skambant Seserų varpams, kuriuos vis dar prisimenu su didžiausiu susižavėjimu, turiu pripažinti, kad Plauk su skęstančiais manęs nepaveikė toli gražu taip labai. Gal todėl, kad viskas atrodė jau truputį girdėta, pajausta? Truputį Knausgardiškai Kim Leine‘iška, lyg pritempta prie bandymo išlaikyti įtampą ir paslaptį, kuri toli gražu nėra nei Myttingo, nei pačios istorijos stipriausia puse. Nors pasakojama pirmuoju asmeniu, nesijaučiau iki galo pažinusi nei pagrindinio veikėjo, nei daugelio jį supusių. Einaro paveikslas, nors veikėjas jau senokai miręs, žiba kur kas ryškiau, nei pasakotojas ar jo mergina/priešininkė, o meilės istorija atrodo tokia nejauki ir nemaloni akiai – tokia lyg iš reikalo, tarsi tėvų suplanuota santuoka iš išskaičiavimo. Pagrindinis veikėjas vietomis toks stūmtraukis, toks neapsisprendėlis ir nenuovoka, o istorija per jo prizmę praranda Myttingo kaip pasakotojo žavesį. Ir bandymas knygą pritempti prie mįslingo trilerio, autoriui tinka ne iki galo – kaip ant akių krintanti skrybėlė, nuo kulnų slysčiojantys batai.
Knygoje apgalvoti maži dalykai, žavingos ir (ne)reikšmingos smulkmenos. Viskas skandinaviškai nugludinta iki menkiausių detalių, bet įtikina ne iki galo – gal nes jau girdėta, gal nes ne taip magiška, kaip Seserų varpai, su kuriais lygini net nenorėdamas, gal nes nuo sūnaus ir tėvo santykio analizės jaučiuosi truputį pervargusi. Čia yra tiek daug visko, kuo galima žavėtis, bet nesijaučiau nei iki galo paveikta, nei iki galo įtikinta. Truputį nuobodžiaujanti, truputį nutolusi.
August 25, 2024
4.5 stars. A very well-constructed novel in which we travel from Norway to Shetland to France, with trips to Aberdeen and Edinburgh in between. Edvard is uncertain about his past. He knows that he was orphaned when he was very young but not much more. He’s sure that his Bestefar (grandfather) isn’t telling him the whole story and so he starts to explore the truth.
I’ve read reviews of this book that have several spoilers with no warnings given. To be fair, it’s a difficult book to discuss without giving much away. Essentially, there is a mystery to be solved that has connections to the farm on which Edvard lives in Norway, to Shetland and France, to his grandparents and his parents, and to others he meets on his travels. It’s a complex, compelling story with a few surprises along the way. In my view, Edvard’s journey is as much about resolving family mysteries as it is about him discovering how to relate to people, especially those he cares about. For most of the book, the main characters are so sadly lacking in emotional intelligence that I nearly threw the book across the room in frustration!
The translation is by a Canadian and that’s reflected in some of the English used. It was annoying to me, for example, that a Scottish character talked about university semesters. We have terms here, not semesters. I can’t blame the author for these slips though. I did raise an eyebrow at Edvard’s ability to speak almost fluent English as soon as he arrived on Shetland, not having worked at school nor having had the opportunity or interest to speak it before then. He says he learned his English from song lyrics but that doesn’t wash. He also speaks good French despite his mother dying when he was 3 years old and not having spoken French since. Normally I’m very pedantic about things like that but managed to overlook it in this case because I was enjoying the story so much. All in all, it’s a very good read and I enjoyed it.
I’ve read reviews of this book that have several spoilers with no warnings given. To be fair, it’s a difficult book to discuss without giving much away. Essentially, there is a mystery to be solved that has connections to the farm on which Edvard lives in Norway, to Shetland and France, to his grandparents and his parents, and to others he meets on his travels. It’s a complex, compelling story with a few surprises along the way. In my view, Edvard’s journey is as much about resolving family mysteries as it is about him discovering how to relate to people, especially those he cares about. For most of the book, the main characters are so sadly lacking in emotional intelligence that I nearly threw the book across the room in frustration!
The translation is by a Canadian and that’s reflected in some of the English used. It was annoying to me, for example, that a Scottish character talked about university semesters. We have terms here, not semesters. I can’t blame the author for these slips though. I did raise an eyebrow at Edvard’s ability to speak almost fluent English as soon as he arrived on Shetland, not having worked at school nor having had the opportunity or interest to speak it before then. He says he learned his English from song lyrics but that doesn’t wash. He also speaks good French despite his mother dying when he was 3 years old and not having spoken French since. Normally I’m very pedantic about things like that but managed to overlook it in this case because I was enjoying the story so much. All in all, it’s a very good read and I enjoyed it.
August 30, 2017
I’m going to start this review off with an apology at the quality of it. I’ve tried and tried to think of some things to say about this book but my mind is drawing a blank. I read this novel during a bit of a slump and I feel as though I just drifted through it.
I know I enjoyed it, not as much as I’d hoped, but enough to not dislike it. And I know that it got very emotional and I had a bit of a cry fest at the end. But from there, I’m a bit stuck… How do I do this review thing again?
Characters in this one are different. You feel like you really get to know them throughout the story, but when you’ve finished the book you realise you didn’t really know them at all. They were well developed and were talked about enough, but it was as though they were behind a screen. The characters themselves talked about how another character was hiding behind a mask, but you come to realise that all the characters were wearing masks, not just from each other, but from the reader too.
The story is a bit of a strange one and I felt it losing me in some points. It was a story about love, loss, grief and mystery. But very different to the kinds of mystery you’re used to seeing on my page. This one is certainly unique, but is definitely a slow mover, so anyone looking for something fast-paced, pass this one up.
I can’t work out what more to say. If you like emotional, slow moving novels in moody settings with distant characters, this book is definitely something for you. I’m glad I stepped a little out of my comfort zone with this one because I did enjoy it, but it’s not the type of book I could read a lot.
I know I enjoyed it, not as much as I’d hoped, but enough to not dislike it. And I know that it got very emotional and I had a bit of a cry fest at the end. But from there, I’m a bit stuck… How do I do this review thing again?
Characters in this one are different. You feel like you really get to know them throughout the story, but when you’ve finished the book you realise you didn’t really know them at all. They were well developed and were talked about enough, but it was as though they were behind a screen. The characters themselves talked about how another character was hiding behind a mask, but you come to realise that all the characters were wearing masks, not just from each other, but from the reader too.
The story is a bit of a strange one and I felt it losing me in some points. It was a story about love, loss, grief and mystery. But very different to the kinds of mystery you’re used to seeing on my page. This one is certainly unique, but is definitely a slow mover, so anyone looking for something fast-paced, pass this one up.
I can’t work out what more to say. If you like emotional, slow moving novels in moody settings with distant characters, this book is definitely something for you. I’m glad I stepped a little out of my comfort zone with this one because I did enjoy it, but it’s not the type of book I could read a lot.
March 8, 2020
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“Man mama buvo kvapas. Šiluma. Koja, į kurią įsikibdavau. Kažkoks melsvas alsavimas; suknelė, kurią maniau prisimenąs ją dėvėjus. Tariau sau, kad ji paleido mane į gyvenimą lyg strėlę iš lanko, ir nežinojau, ar mano prisiminimai apie ją teisingi...”
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“...spratau, kad mirtis ne visada elgiasi lyg aklas ir žiaurus žudikas. Kartais prieš išeidama ji palieka raktą.”
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“Rankos ir kojos nustojo būti mano dalimis. Jaučiausi lyg viena didžiulė širdis, didžiulis beformis organas, pumpuojantis lauk dvidešimt metų laikytas ašaras.”
“Man mama buvo kvapas. Šiluma. Koja, į kurią įsikibdavau. Kažkoks melsvas alsavimas; suknelė, kurią maniau prisimenąs ją dėvėjus. Tariau sau, kad ji paleido mane į gyvenimą lyg strėlę iš lanko, ir nežinojau, ar mano prisiminimai apie ją teisingi...”
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“...spratau, kad mirtis ne visada elgiasi lyg aklas ir žiaurus žudikas. Kartais prieš išeidama ji palieka raktą.”
▪️
“Rankos ir kojos nustojo būti mano dalimis. Jaučiausi lyg viena didžiulė širdis, didžiulis beformis organas, pumpuojantis lauk dvidešimt metų laikytas ašaras.”
September 16, 2018
I started this book with no expectations and I am finding it hard to put into words how I feel about the book. The book moves from a remote farm in Norway to an isolated island in the Shetlands. It has a lot of beautiful prose and descriptions that made scenes vivid and real. In that respect the story was rich and wonderful.
The characters however were quite shadowy. Edvard the main character never really reveals himself and I felt as though information about him was being withheld. The other characters in the book also seem distant and never seem to reveal their true selves and I felt a bit left out by that. I am not sure if something has been lost in translation but I just felt even at the end I did not really understand what had happened.
The plot is very intriguing and centres on a group of sixteen trees near the Somme River, the site of two very bloody wars where many bodies fell and were never retrieved as well as undetonated bomb shells. The wood from the sixteen trees is considered priceless and is revealed to be at the heart of a bitter family feud. One which left Edvard alone with his grandfather in Norway, his own parents having been mysteriously killed at the site of the trees.
This is a slow moving book and I think it had to be, however despite the historical elements and amazing locations, I felt a little removed from it all by the lack of insight into Edvard, Gwen and their families.
Thank you Netgalley and Quercus Press for the opportunity to review this book.
The characters however were quite shadowy. Edvard the main character never really reveals himself and I felt as though information about him was being withheld. The other characters in the book also seem distant and never seem to reveal their true selves and I felt a bit left out by that. I am not sure if something has been lost in translation but I just felt even at the end I did not really understand what had happened.
The plot is very intriguing and centres on a group of sixteen trees near the Somme River, the site of two very bloody wars where many bodies fell and were never retrieved as well as undetonated bomb shells. The wood from the sixteen trees is considered priceless and is revealed to be at the heart of a bitter family feud. One which left Edvard alone with his grandfather in Norway, his own parents having been mysteriously killed at the site of the trees.
This is a slow moving book and I think it had to be, however despite the historical elements and amazing locations, I felt a little removed from it all by the lack of insight into Edvard, Gwen and their families.
Thank you Netgalley and Quercus Press for the opportunity to review this book.
December 10, 2014
Over-hypa til de grader. En spennende fortelling, for all del, men karakterene mangler dybde og språket er til tider usammenhengende og klisjéfylt.
January 10, 2018
i only finished this book because i didn't want anyone to accuse me of not having read the whole thing when i say how bad it was. a very long and very boring story, featuring overused tropes and bad storylines (including: tragically dead parents, both world wars, nazi relatives (handled particularly badly, i have to say), the male protagonist being unable to have non-sexual relationships with women, idealizing the british aristocracy) - just so that the author could write another book about wood, because that's what this book was really about.
January 22, 2020
Knygų apie šeimos paslaptis gerbėjams turiu gardų kąsnelį - Lars Mytting romaną “Plauk su skęstančiais”. Knygoje vystoma paslaptinga Edvardo šeimos istorija. Vaikinas užaugo kartu su seneliu atokiame Norvegijos miestelyje. Jo tėvai mįslingomis aplinkybėmis žuvo Prancūzijoje nuo Pirmojo pasaulinio užsilikusių minų miške. Tuomet trimetis Edvardas dingo ir atsirado tik po kelių dienų gerokai nuo tėvų žūties vietos nutolusiame kitame Prancūzijos kaimelyje. Niekas niekada šeimoje nekalbėjo apie tai, kas tuomet iš tiesų atsitiko. Po senelio mirties vaikinas pasiryžta išsiaiškinti tikrąsias tėvų žūties aplinkybes. Istorija veda link auksarankio senelio brolio, kuris deja jau miręs. Ar pavyks Edvardui išsiaiškinti tamsa apgaubtą praeitį?
Knygoje susipina detektyvo, trilerio, meilės romano elementai. Kraujo čia nebus, bet intrigų pakankamai. Žavesio prideda aprašomi Edvardo senelio brolio medžio dirbiniai. Gana detaliai atskleidžiamas darbo su medžiu procesas, tai kokie išskirtiniai jo darbai ir pan. Turint galvoje dabar itin madingą antikvaro ir šiaip senesnių baldų prikėlimo antram gyvenimui bumą, tai tikrai įdomūs intarpai.
Veikėjai. Jie gana blankūs. Pagrindinis veikėjas iki pat paskutinio puslapio išlieka neaiškus, neišpildytas. Galvoje turiu tikrai ne tą žavų paslaptingumą taip būdingą skandinavų kurtiems personažams, o tai, kad neaišku pagrindinio veikėjo vertybiniai dalykai, siekiai ir charakteris. Gal kiek geriau atrodo paslaptingoji Gvendolina- mergina, kuri apžavi Edvardą, bet jos charakteris nebūtinai visiems patiks dėl pretenzingumo ir snobiško elgesio.
Bendras įspūdis geras, bet pagrindinė problema ta, kad buvau skaičius autoriaus kitą kūrinį “Seserų varpai”, kuris parodė daug didesnį rašytojo potencialą nei panaudota šioje knygoje.
Kam skaityti? Paslaptingų šeimos istorijų gerbėjams.
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Knygoje susipina detektyvo, trilerio, meilės romano elementai. Kraujo čia nebus, bet intrigų pakankamai. Žavesio prideda aprašomi Edvardo senelio brolio medžio dirbiniai. Gana detaliai atskleidžiamas darbo su medžiu procesas, tai kokie išskirtiniai jo darbai ir pan. Turint galvoje dabar itin madingą antikvaro ir šiaip senesnių baldų prikėlimo antram gyvenimui bumą, tai tikrai įdomūs intarpai.
Veikėjai. Jie gana blankūs. Pagrindinis veikėjas iki pat paskutinio puslapio išlieka neaiškus, neišpildytas. Galvoje turiu tikrai ne tą žavų paslaptingumą taip būdingą skandinavų kurtiems personažams, o tai, kad neaišku pagrindinio veikėjo vertybiniai dalykai, siekiai ir charakteris. Gal kiek geriau atrodo paslaptingoji Gvendolina- mergina, kuri apžavi Edvardą, bet jos charakteris nebūtinai visiems patiks dėl pretenzingumo ir snobiško elgesio.
Bendras įspūdis geras, bet pagrindinė problema ta, kad buvau skaičius autoriaus kitą kūrinį “Seserų varpai”, kuris parodė daug didesnį rašytojo potencialą nei panaudota šioje knygoje.
Kam skaityti? Paslaptingų šeimos istorijų gerbėjams.
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September 15, 2017
There's a good - if rather familiar - story here but my, Mytting takes his time telling it! It seems to be a Scandinavian thing to write in a loose, circulatory, baggy kind of way with lots of musings and maneuverings around the main thrust of the story. Add in some risible similes ('he sat there like a wax figure in a German fighter jet'; 'she was quiet and guarded like an old floor clock') and lots of inset stories prefaced by a 'she told me that...' and I was a bit hard pressed to stick with this.
At heart this ties together a story of something that happens at the Somme with French and Norwegian families caught up in WW2, and a man in the present tracing both the stories and his family connections. The WW2 story is packed with well-worn tropes: and isn't particularly emotive in the telling. What Mytting does so well, though, is weave in stories to do with wood, both the eponymous trees and wooden objects.
If you like leisurely-paced stories based on C20th family histories this may well be a good choice - a more compressed and sharper execution would have improved the book for me and made it feel less laborious to finish. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because I liked the use of wood and I did want to find out what happened at the end.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC
At heart this ties together a story of something that happens at the Somme with French and Norwegian families caught up in WW2, and a man in the present tracing both the stories and his family connections. The WW2 story is packed with well-worn tropes: and isn't particularly emotive in the telling. What Mytting does so well, though, is weave in stories to do with wood, both the eponymous trees and wooden objects.
If you like leisurely-paced stories based on C20th family histories this may well be a good choice - a more compressed and sharper execution would have improved the book for me and made it feel less laborious to finish. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because I liked the use of wood and I did want to find out what happened at the end.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC
February 9, 2025
Such a beautiful book. I’m in awe of the writing, the story and whatever has been the inspiration for this magnificent book.
Before I started reading, I had a feeling this book would feel sentimental, but it didn’t. I have seen some reviewers state that the female characters don’t feel genuine, that they lack authenticity, I don’t agree, to me they felt very real. But the most breathtaking was the nature, especially around Somme, the descriptions of the woods and the fields filled with remnants from the Great War and decomposed human bones will stay with me for a long time, I think.
Before I started reading, I had a feeling this book would feel sentimental, but it didn’t. I have seen some reviewers state that the female characters don’t feel genuine, that they lack authenticity, I don’t agree, to me they felt very real. But the most breathtaking was the nature, especially around Somme, the descriptions of the woods and the fields filled with remnants from the Great War and decomposed human bones will stay with me for a long time, I think.
September 29, 2018
The author can string together some beautiful words. He brings to life his love of wood and links this to a family mystery, Shetland Islands role as a WWII base for Norwegian operations, WWII concentration camps and the Battle of the Somme during WWI. That's a pretty interesting pot-pourri.
While the premise of the book is great, the various relationships and coincidences including kissing cousins, a lost toy dog and family connections were a bit clumsy for me.
While the premise of the book is great, the various relationships and coincidences including kissing cousins, a lost toy dog and family connections were a bit clumsy for me.
July 2, 2018
Lang geleden dat ik me nog zó in een verhaal verloren ben. Gelukkig is in deze vroeghete zomer een snel slaatje uitstekend te verantwoorden en is nachtlezen evident bij de huidige slaapkamertemperaturen. Ik wil maar zeggen: meeslepend, goed geschreven verhaal maar hou rekening met kans op vervoering.
March 16, 2020
Libro demasiado extenso para mi gusto donde la mayor parte del tiempo no pasa nada destacable. La historia es bonita, el desarrollo lento. Un misterio acerca de su vida que el protagonista tiene que resolver nos lleva a una historia de guerra y madereros en el pasado. No está mal pero no consiguió emocionarme lo suficiente.
January 6, 2016
En fantastisk berättelse som har hållit mig i ett hårt grepp sedan jag slog upp boken.Jag tänker på researchen som gjorts, resorna som måste ha genomförts. Att jag vill åka till Shetland, till Norge och kanske också till de där ställena i Frankrike.
August 9, 2017
Find all my book reviews, plus author interviews, guest posts and book extracts, on my blog: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/
The death of Edvard’s grandfather, Bestefar, and the facts that come to light as a result, change everything for Edvard. They see him embark on a journey that will take him away from the isolated Nowegian farm where he has grown up to the Shetlands and France as he searches for the truth about the cause of his parents’ death and the four days afterwards when he was missing. It also stirs up vague fragments of memories – a scent, the sound of a voice, the texture of a fabric, a discarded toy – that don’t make any sense but convince Edvard that he needs to find out more about his parents’ death.
‘Because there was something about Mamma and Pappa’s story that was stirring, quietly, like a viper in the grass.’
As is often the case when unearthing secrets from the past, Edvard is forced to confront unwelcome possibilities and make agonising choices. Edvard’s search reaches back in time to WW1 and WW2, bringing to light painful facts from the past – death, injury, separation and betrayal – but also revealing stories of courage, determination and devotion. It provokes questions such as whether it is better sometimes not to know the truth, to be careful what you wish for, that actions have consequences even if unintended, and the fulfilment you seek may be closer to home than you think.
I found the story absolutely enthralling and I loved the fantastic sense of place created in each location. From the author’s beautiful, heartfelt descriptions, I felt as if I could look out my own window and see the farm in Norway laid out before me.
‘Redcurrant bushes dense with berries, the flag-stoned path leading to the swimming hole at the river, the creek which cut through the potato fields and disappeared from sight behind the barn. The fruit trees, the pea pods that dangled like half moons when we got close to them, so plentiful that we could fill up on them without taking a step. The dark-blue fruit of the plum trees, the sagging raspberry bushes just waiting for us to quickly fill two small plates and fetch some caster sugar and cream.’
In particular, I loved the way the author captured the remote beauty of the Shetlands and the sense of a community where everyone knows what goes on, who’s arrived on the ferry, whose car has just passed them on the road. The author roots the various parts of the story each in their distinct time, in particular, using popular music as the background to Edvard’s journey. (I get the impression the author is a bit of a music fan, perhaps attracted at some point in his life to a girl by the way she browses in a record shop.)
At times, Edvard feels as if he has come to a dead-end in his search but still he continues searching for clues, motivated by curiosity but also by a sense of obligation to the dead – those known to him and those victims of two world wars unknown to him: ‘I wanted to be someone the dead could rely on.’
As the author of the left-field hit, Norwegian Wood: Chopping, Stacking and Drying Wood the Scandinavian Way (now also an activity book), it’s no surprise that wood is at the heart of the story. It is part of the plot in a number of ways – in fact, more and more ways as the story progresses – but it is also celebrated in the book for its form, history and beauty. Similarly, there is real regard for the craftsmanship that can fashion a piece of wood into an object of beauty, utility or religious symbolism.
The Sixteen Trees of the Somme has a compelling, enthralling story line with wonderfully atmospheric settings and well-developed characters. I was completely immersed in Edvard’s search for the truth about his parents’ death; like him, all the time fearing the dark secrets he might uncover but compelled to find out nonetheless. A fantastic book, highly recommended.
I received an advance reader copy courtesy of NetGalley and publishers Quercus Books/MacLehose Press in return for an honest review.
The death of Edvard’s grandfather, Bestefar, and the facts that come to light as a result, change everything for Edvard. They see him embark on a journey that will take him away from the isolated Nowegian farm where he has grown up to the Shetlands and France as he searches for the truth about the cause of his parents’ death and the four days afterwards when he was missing. It also stirs up vague fragments of memories – a scent, the sound of a voice, the texture of a fabric, a discarded toy – that don’t make any sense but convince Edvard that he needs to find out more about his parents’ death.
‘Because there was something about Mamma and Pappa’s story that was stirring, quietly, like a viper in the grass.’
As is often the case when unearthing secrets from the past, Edvard is forced to confront unwelcome possibilities and make agonising choices. Edvard’s search reaches back in time to WW1 and WW2, bringing to light painful facts from the past – death, injury, separation and betrayal – but also revealing stories of courage, determination and devotion. It provokes questions such as whether it is better sometimes not to know the truth, to be careful what you wish for, that actions have consequences even if unintended, and the fulfilment you seek may be closer to home than you think.
I found the story absolutely enthralling and I loved the fantastic sense of place created in each location. From the author’s beautiful, heartfelt descriptions, I felt as if I could look out my own window and see the farm in Norway laid out before me.
‘Redcurrant bushes dense with berries, the flag-stoned path leading to the swimming hole at the river, the creek which cut through the potato fields and disappeared from sight behind the barn. The fruit trees, the pea pods that dangled like half moons when we got close to them, so plentiful that we could fill up on them without taking a step. The dark-blue fruit of the plum trees, the sagging raspberry bushes just waiting for us to quickly fill two small plates and fetch some caster sugar and cream.’
In particular, I loved the way the author captured the remote beauty of the Shetlands and the sense of a community where everyone knows what goes on, who’s arrived on the ferry, whose car has just passed them on the road. The author roots the various parts of the story each in their distinct time, in particular, using popular music as the background to Edvard’s journey. (I get the impression the author is a bit of a music fan, perhaps attracted at some point in his life to a girl by the way she browses in a record shop.)
At times, Edvard feels as if he has come to a dead-end in his search but still he continues searching for clues, motivated by curiosity but also by a sense of obligation to the dead – those known to him and those victims of two world wars unknown to him: ‘I wanted to be someone the dead could rely on.’
As the author of the left-field hit, Norwegian Wood: Chopping, Stacking and Drying Wood the Scandinavian Way (now also an activity book), it’s no surprise that wood is at the heart of the story. It is part of the plot in a number of ways – in fact, more and more ways as the story progresses – but it is also celebrated in the book for its form, history and beauty. Similarly, there is real regard for the craftsmanship that can fashion a piece of wood into an object of beauty, utility or religious symbolism.
The Sixteen Trees of the Somme has a compelling, enthralling story line with wonderfully atmospheric settings and well-developed characters. I was completely immersed in Edvard’s search for the truth about his parents’ death; like him, all the time fearing the dark secrets he might uncover but compelled to find out nonetheless. A fantastic book, highly recommended.
I received an advance reader copy courtesy of NetGalley and publishers Quercus Books/MacLehose Press in return for an honest review.
October 2, 2018
I'm still slightly undecided on this book...
Mytting is a highly skilled writer (as is Garrett as the translator) and this was very evident right from the start of the novel when Edvard discusses his mother.
The reason I'm undecided is that I did not find Edvard very engaging and I found the character of Gwen particularly annoying. I wonder if it was because Gwen was written for a Scandinavian audience Mytting made her almost a caricature of how they see the British upper classes. The older generation of characters, however, seemed more authentic and I would probably have been interested in reading more of their stories, The brothers Sverre and Einar were very interesting and the personal toll that the war exacts on them both would have born more narrative.
The sense of place in all the locations was wonderful, the descriptions were mesmerising and made you feel as though you'd been dropped right into the area. I felt fully immersed in the story when the environments were so fully visualised.
Definitely worth reading despite my indecision.
Mytting is a highly skilled writer (as is Garrett as the translator) and this was very evident right from the start of the novel when Edvard discusses his mother.
The reason I'm undecided is that I did not find Edvard very engaging and I found the character of Gwen particularly annoying. I wonder if it was because Gwen was written for a Scandinavian audience Mytting made her almost a caricature of how they see the British upper classes. The older generation of characters, however, seemed more authentic and I would probably have been interested in reading more of their stories, The brothers Sverre and Einar were very interesting and the personal toll that the war exacts on them both would have born more narrative.
The sense of place in all the locations was wonderful, the descriptions were mesmerising and made you feel as though you'd been dropped right into the area. I felt fully immersed in the story when the environments were so fully visualised.
Definitely worth reading despite my indecision.
April 19, 2019
Ha sido una historia familiar llena de secretos, de heridas, de fatídicas casualidades. Un chico que busca la verdad del pasado. Me ha gustado mucho la forma de escribir de este escritor noruego que, en este caso, no se dedica a la novela negra. Os lo recomiendo a los amantes de la narrativa que, aparte buscan algo más, una buena historia, en este caso se aúnan las dos cosas.
August 8, 2025
En helt fabelaktig god roman, nesten helt der oppe med bøkene i Hekne-trilogien. 4.5 stjerner!
February 24, 2024
#ReadAroundTheWorld #Norway
This book is a captivating historical mystery set in 1991 but shifting back to events in the 1970s and WWII. Written by Norwegian author Lars Mytting, it begins in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway and moves to Haaf Gruney on the Shetland Isles and to Somme and Authuille in France.
Edvard Hirifjell grows up on a potato farm with his grandparents Sverre and Alma. After his grandfather dies a coffin arrives for him from the Shetland Islands from his supposedly long deceased brother Einar. Edvard is struck with the need to find out more about the mysterious Einar and also about the deaths of his parents back in the 1970s when they wandered into a forest in Authuille and were killed by unexploded shells dating back to the Black Watch Soldiers and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, wherein over a million lives were lost. There are also unanswered questions about an interval of four days when Edvard himself, as a small child, was missing, presumed kidnapped. All the questions take Edvard on a trip back to Haaf Gruney island, despite the protests of his recently returned ex-girlfriend Hanne.
On the Shetlands he soon meets the elusive Gwen Winterfinch, heiress to the Winterfinch timber fortune. Gwen is also searching for the invaluable timber harvested from the walnut trees in the forest at Authuille; trees whose timber is shaped and warped by the gasses from the war, in a forest owned by the Daveaux family of Edvard’s mother and grandmother, where Gwen’s grandfather’s men were wounded and died. The two of them work together, but unable to be transparent and honest with each other, race to find answers to what happened between her grandfather Captain Duncan Winterfell of the Black Watch, timber merchant, and his uncle Einar, master timber craftsman, and what happened to the sixteen trees.
This was an intriguing and complex story, occasionally I missed a few points, but I was caught up in the mystery, in the beauty of the timber, and the islands. This is an atmospheric tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. My only criticism was that neither romance felt convincing to me, and I did not find myself rooting for either woman. I would definitely recommend this books d would look out for another by Lars Mytting.
This book is a captivating historical mystery set in 1991 but shifting back to events in the 1970s and WWII. Written by Norwegian author Lars Mytting, it begins in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway and moves to Haaf Gruney on the Shetland Isles and to Somme and Authuille in France.
Edvard Hirifjell grows up on a potato farm with his grandparents Sverre and Alma. After his grandfather dies a coffin arrives for him from the Shetland Islands from his supposedly long deceased brother Einar. Edvard is struck with the need to find out more about the mysterious Einar and also about the deaths of his parents back in the 1970s when they wandered into a forest in Authuille and were killed by unexploded shells dating back to the Black Watch Soldiers and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, wherein over a million lives were lost. There are also unanswered questions about an interval of four days when Edvard himself, as a small child, was missing, presumed kidnapped. All the questions take Edvard on a trip back to Haaf Gruney island, despite the protests of his recently returned ex-girlfriend Hanne.
On the Shetlands he soon meets the elusive Gwen Winterfinch, heiress to the Winterfinch timber fortune. Gwen is also searching for the invaluable timber harvested from the walnut trees in the forest at Authuille; trees whose timber is shaped and warped by the gasses from the war, in a forest owned by the Daveaux family of Edvard’s mother and grandmother, where Gwen’s grandfather’s men were wounded and died. The two of them work together, but unable to be transparent and honest with each other, race to find answers to what happened between her grandfather Captain Duncan Winterfell of the Black Watch, timber merchant, and his uncle Einar, master timber craftsman, and what happened to the sixteen trees.
This was an intriguing and complex story, occasionally I missed a few points, but I was caught up in the mystery, in the beauty of the timber, and the islands. This is an atmospheric tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. My only criticism was that neither romance felt convincing to me, and I did not find myself rooting for either woman. I would definitely recommend this books d would look out for another by Lars Mytting.
January 23, 2020
3.75 stars
I mistakenly thought I’d just be visiting Norway when I picked this one up for #abreadsaroundtheworld, but actually I ended up on an intriguing journey that took me from a remote hillside Norwegian village, to the beautiful and lonely shores of the Shetland Isles, as well as a detour to some of the most haunting battlegrounds in France. The Sixteen Trees of the Somme was quite a journey, and while it wasn’t a perfect read I still appreciated most of it.
.
Edvard is a potato farmer, residing at the start of the book with his grandfather on the farm, his parents long deceased. But when his grandfather dies, he is made aware of an unusual inheritance left to him by his uncle, which leads Edvard to delve into a family mystery long left to rest.
.
Translated by Paul Garrett Russell, I was struck multiple times while I was reading at how beautifully smooth the translation was. There was no clumsiness and yet Russell does not erase the Norwegian heart of the book. I picked up the other Mytting book I have and noticed it’s not translated by the same person, so I can only hope it’s done as well!
.
I was absorbed by the family mystery, and I’m a sucker for a saga that spans generations, and Sixteen Trees of the Somme encompasses both World Wars up until the late 20th century (I think). I don’t usually go in for war stories, but this is a different take on it, with woodworking at its heart, and it kept me hooked with a renewed appreciation for books with a nature theme.
.
The main reason the book stumbled a bit for me was that it’s narrated in the first person by Edvard and sometimes the male gaze was off-putting. I don’t care if a woman’s coat accentuates her bum. I also thought the ending could have been tighter, as the story had been unfurling at a slow (but lovely) pace anyway, and then the last 50 pages or so seemed to unravel.
.
Overall I’d still recommend this one if you can forgive the male gaze occasionally creeping in, as it really is a unique family mystery with beautiful writing and gorgeous settings.
I mistakenly thought I’d just be visiting Norway when I picked this one up for #abreadsaroundtheworld, but actually I ended up on an intriguing journey that took me from a remote hillside Norwegian village, to the beautiful and lonely shores of the Shetland Isles, as well as a detour to some of the most haunting battlegrounds in France. The Sixteen Trees of the Somme was quite a journey, and while it wasn’t a perfect read I still appreciated most of it.
.
Edvard is a potato farmer, residing at the start of the book with his grandfather on the farm, his parents long deceased. But when his grandfather dies, he is made aware of an unusual inheritance left to him by his uncle, which leads Edvard to delve into a family mystery long left to rest.
.
Translated by Paul Garrett Russell, I was struck multiple times while I was reading at how beautifully smooth the translation was. There was no clumsiness and yet Russell does not erase the Norwegian heart of the book. I picked up the other Mytting book I have and noticed it’s not translated by the same person, so I can only hope it’s done as well!
.
I was absorbed by the family mystery, and I’m a sucker for a saga that spans generations, and Sixteen Trees of the Somme encompasses both World Wars up until the late 20th century (I think). I don’t usually go in for war stories, but this is a different take on it, with woodworking at its heart, and it kept me hooked with a renewed appreciation for books with a nature theme.
.
The main reason the book stumbled a bit for me was that it’s narrated in the first person by Edvard and sometimes the male gaze was off-putting. I don’t care if a woman’s coat accentuates her bum. I also thought the ending could have been tighter, as the story had been unfurling at a slow (but lovely) pace anyway, and then the last 50 pages or so seemed to unravel.
.
Overall I’d still recommend this one if you can forgive the male gaze occasionally creeping in, as it really is a unique family mystery with beautiful writing and gorgeous settings.
March 30, 2019
You cannot miss something you haven’t had, I told myself.
*
[...] these needs converged, so that it was just as difficult to leave as it was to remain, and from that day everything settled in the path I took, a path which gradually grew deeper and more habitual.
*
Let it go, [...] You’ll find nothing but old memories to torment you.
*
If you look at life as a whole, most of our conduct is second-rate. We are blind to the goodness people are prepared to offer us. We only half listen when someone tells us something they have dreaded saying.
*
How deep inside me could he see?
*
I felt a trembling unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Something tugging and pulling at my point of anchor. I searched for something fixed, something unalterable,
*
But now her past had opened up and advanced its claims.
*
A faint recollection stirred, but it would not emerge. It was like standing in front of a locked door, with the memory making a racket inside, while both the memory and I searched for the keys
*
It pressed in on me, the certainty that this was stolen time.
*
The memory flew at me like an arrow.
*
[...] this whole affair has become an evil assortment of events that ought never to have taken place.
*
[...] as a memento. Of the summer when we were forever young.
*
But we are innocent when we dream [...]
*
[...] these needs converged, so that it was just as difficult to leave as it was to remain, and from that day everything settled in the path I took, a path which gradually grew deeper and more habitual.
*
Let it go, [...] You’ll find nothing but old memories to torment you.
*
If you look at life as a whole, most of our conduct is second-rate. We are blind to the goodness people are prepared to offer us. We only half listen when someone tells us something they have dreaded saying.
*
How deep inside me could he see?
*
I felt a trembling unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Something tugging and pulling at my point of anchor. I searched for something fixed, something unalterable,
*
But now her past had opened up and advanced its claims.
*
A faint recollection stirred, but it would not emerge. It was like standing in front of a locked door, with the memory making a racket inside, while both the memory and I searched for the keys
*
It pressed in on me, the certainty that this was stolen time.
*
The memory flew at me like an arrow.
*
[...] this whole affair has become an evil assortment of events that ought never to have taken place.
*
[...] as a memento. Of the summer when we were forever young.
*
But we are innocent when we dream [...]
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