Lyn's Reviews > Child of Earth

Originally published in Swedish as Jorden’s Barn in 2015, Durandal Sippan Brytting’s 2016 English translation takes a page from Haruki Murakami and reminds the reader of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values as this is Existential, philosophical and downright different.

“A city is a place where something is always happening, and where something entirely unrelated is always happening simultaneously. A city is no place for people.“

The narrators suffer from a spiritual angst. Describing a shifting perspective narrative, Swedish writer tells of inner struggles in the face of outward calamity as a PhilDickian cosmic fungus takes over. In homelessness he demonstrates philosophical acumen and serves as a kind of frame for the narrator’s introspective musings.

“By a certain twist of fate, the details are not relevant here, I spent a short time with no place to stay. But in that temporary homelessness, I discovered that I enjoyed it so much I decided to stay in it. I have never had a home again.“

There is also a Raskolnikov-like Dostoyevskyian fatalism in their careless but sincere thoughts on the world. The narrators make ubiquitous references to a children’s book and this reveals innocence when looking at the world.

“Ask someone: “what is your greatest fear?” and they’re not going to give you the answer. They’ll give you an answer, but there will always be something even worse.”

Frequent references to theology also makes this a ponderous book about life, the universe and everything. I think there may have been some subtle humor, some scenes seem comical, but overall this is a serious, surreal and dark work, though the lasting thoughts are hopeful.

“There are holy places wherever there is life."

*** A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review