Advokat Julia Ripsskog har lenge levd et liv i skyggen av en mørk hemmelighet, en lammende frykt som har tatt fra henne muligheten til å elske og bli elsket. Nå har glemte minner tvunget angsten til overflaten; minner som ser ut til å tilhøre et annet liv, i en annen tid.
Magnus, en ung kunstner, er plaget av foruroligende drømmer. De preges av savnet etter en mystisk kvinne som blir revet bort fra ham. Inntrykkene smitter over til hans kunst, og et nytt maleri viser seg å være et urgammelt norrønt symbol, Midgardsormen. Drøm og virkelighet blir vanskelig å skille fra hverandre, og nå lengter han etter en kvinne han aldri har møtt. Eller har han det?
Julia og Magnus’ visjoner blir stadig mer opprivende, men når de to endelig møtes, begynner alt å falle på plass. Skjebnen har en plan – en plan som handler om hevn, men også om den store kjærligheten.
An ex-pat New Yorker, Brian M. Talgo has a long history of creative endeavors, including writing, painting, music, and photography. A first novel, The Beauregarde Affair, was published in 2011; his writing has since appeared in various anthologies published in Norway and abroad. A founding member and lyricist of the Norwegian prog-rock collective Gentle Knife, Brian now continues to work in a solo capacity composing electronic and ambient music.
Brian relocated from the US to Norway in 1981 and currently lives on the outskirts of Oslo together with his wife and son. After receiving his graduate degree in plant ecology from the University of Oslo, he has worked in various areas, including fieldwork, teaching and translation, in Vienna and Oslo. He eventually joined the University of Oslo’s central administration in 2008, where he is currently employed as an advisor.
Tak tuhle knihu, jsem na svém seznamu, měla neuvěřitelně dlouho...no vlastně od jejího vydání. Tak dlouho mi trvalo, rozečíst ji. Příběhy s Vikingy mám moc ráda a často je upřednostňuji, před jinými knihami, ale po přečtení anotace, jsem se trochu obávala toho, jak spojení Vikingů, současnosti, akupunktury a staré tibetské techniky, může dopadnout. Už to samo o sobě, mi přišlo překombinované. Tato kniha mě však, mile překvapila. Příběh je psaný velice čtivě, ve svižném tempu a netrpí na zdlouhavé a nudné pasáže. Je to taková pohádka pro dospělé, ve které se velice dobře podařilo propojit líbivý i když místy drsnější příběh, zasazený do doby Vikingů a děj, který ho svým způsobem zrcadlí, v současné multikulturní společnosti. Kniha je to nenáročná, odpočinková, spojující přiměřenou měrou dávku romantiky, dobrodružství, tajemna a mystiky. Trochu mi to připomnělo knihy B. Erskine, jen s o něco málo výraznou, romantickou linkou.
"The Salt of Ancient Tears" is a captivating blend of mystery, romance, humor, and historical intrigue that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With echoes of past lives and a gripping courtroom drama, the intertwining narratives of Julia and Magnus make for an enthralling read. The authors' exploration of the unsolved mystery of the Norse Greenland settlement adds depth and richness to the story, making it a must-read for fans of Nordic noir and historical fiction.
A smashing read, all thanks to Smashwords "Read an ebook Week" where thousands of ebooks are offered up at discounted prices or for free for a time-limited period.
The beauty of the book is in the authenticity of the characters and the idea itself. Although it has been done before, the dual world setting, contemporary Oslo and medieval Greenland, are aptly chosen. The authors' intimate knowledge of the former is evident. Likewise it is not too much of a stretch to conjure up strong emotional and behavioural affinities between the leading characters in both time epochs.
Julia is portrayed as a strong, successful, independent woman, but somewhat detached and unhappy. Seeing her explore her own weakness and insecurity made me come to like her, to root for her, despite my innate dislike of the legal profession (my dad was a litigation lawyer).
As for Magnus, parts of him remain greyed out, but what we see is a similarly mixed bag of qualities. The dynamic between Julia and him is a slow-burner but well timed. It certainly adds to the suspense, even if it only becomes a question of when not if.
The commitment to detailing place and period is most commendable and believable, whether it be Norse Greenland, Madeira or a road leading off into the wilderness. The characters are well fleshed out, within and without. Overall, this is an outstanding book and I look forward to digesting any other writings by these two authors.
The beauty of the book is in the authenticity of the characters and the idea itself. Although it has been done before, the dual world setting, contemporary Oslo and medieval Greenland, are aptly chosen. The authors' intimate knowledge of the former is evident. Likewise it is not too much of a stretch to conjure up strong emotional and behavioural affinities between the leading characters in both time epochs.
Julia is portrayed as a strong, successful, independent woman, but somewhat detached and unhappy. Seeing her explore her own weakness and insecurity made me come to like her, to root for her, despite my innate dislike of the legal profession (my dad was a litigation lawyer).
As for Magnus, parts of him remain greyed out, but what we see is a similarly mixed bag of qualities. The dynamic between Julia and him is a slow-burner but well timed. It certainly adds to the suspense, even if it only becomes a question of when not if.
The commitment to detailing place and period is most commendable and believable, whether it be Norse Greenland, Madeira or a road leading off into the wilderness. The characters are well fleshed out, within and without. Overall, this is an outstanding book and I look forward to digesting any other writings by these two authors.
Gripping and atmospheric, In ”The Salt of Ancient Tears" we find Julia and Magnus, compelling protagonists, whose journey of self-discovery takes them to the heart of a centuries-old mystery. With its richly drawn characters and evocative setting, this novel will keep readers guessing until the very end. In "The Salt of Ancient Tears," authors weave a mesmerizing tale of love, loss, and redemption set against the backdrop of present-day Oslo and the haunting history of the Norse Greenland settlement. Julia and Magnus's quest for justice and closure is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, and readers will find themselves drawn into their world from the very first page. With its intricate plot and lyrical prose, this novel is a true masterpiece of storytelling.