So Vesaas is one of those authors I have been putting off reading for years as every one I know loathes his books. Is is because they were forced to read him at school? I didn’t find anything loathsome about the book, in fact I got hooked. It was easy to get into Mattis’ narrative.
It is interesting to read Mattis opinion of himself and those around him. He knows he’s different and not as smart as the others, and he often blames his sister for not understanding him. I also like how we don’t ever get to know Hege’s thoughts, and that it leaves you guessing how she is dealing with living with a brother who is mentally challenged. But perhaps the book is better with just Mattis’ narrative.
Bjørg has made an off-the-shelf challenge and this is my contribution to a book by a Scandinavian author. It’s been on my shelf for nearly two years, so it was about time. Next round it will be a book set in Africa.