This is the second in his new series of books that are connected by the characters sighting a bright star.

The books synopsis online makes it sound as if it will be a spy novel set in the 1980’s with a callow young Norwegian man called Syvert finding that his, now dead father, has connections to a women in Soviet Russia. The book was actually a lot more mundane than the premise sounded. Syvert has arrived back home after military service not knowing what to do with his life. He is quite hard on his mother in places and I found him hard to like at first. Then a few hundred pages in I was just starting to get into his story when boom, the next chapter we are in Russia following the story of a middle-age academic, and we don’t see Syvert again for a few hundred more pages.

I almost DNF’d it several times, but hey I’ve read Proust so I can deal with a slow book in the hope that it pays off in the end. The ending was very good! It’s left things very open for the following books in the series and I want to know what happens next.

If you like your literary fiction, with beautifully written but detailed descriptions and don’t mind a slow moving story then this one is for you!

This book is undeniably well-written and, at times, I was so impressed by the sentences and the moving descriptions that I thought that would be enough. But in the end, I still lacked the feeling of warmth and trust that is important to my truly loving a book.

In 1986, Syvert Løyning, having completed his military service, returned to his mother's residence in southern Norway. One night, he experiences a vivid dream featuring his deceased father, a vision that lingers in his thoughts the following morning. Intrigued, Syvert delves into his father's possessions, seeking clues and connections. To his surprise, he discovers a trove of letters that unravel a connection to the Soviet Union and introduces him to a previously unknown half-sister named Alevtina.

Fast forward several decades to present-day Russia, and Syvert is on the brink of meeting Alevtina in person. This encounter coincides with a mysterious new star in the sky, adding an intriguing celestial element to the unfolding narrative.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if it were in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This was such a grand tale spanning decades and countries across the world and it felt so huge and important.

Following on from The Morning Star, Wolves of Eternity is again set in Norway with a later diversion to Russia.

As with most of Knausgaard's writing, it is very detailed and really delves into the minutiae of life. It's pointless to say it could have been edited - the length is part of his genre. If you can get into the rhythm and not frustrated with the extraneous details, you come to appreciate his skill as a writer and how he slowly builds a picture of his characters and their lives. I did enjoy the book but at 700-odd pages, investment is needed and I wouldn't recommend to the casual reader or even perhaps someone not familiar with his work.

Great to finally get to read Karl Ove Knausgaard. This book is really a testament to Norwegian literature and feels reflective and comments on the human condition really tenderly. I loved learning about the characters background and seeing how they were going to come together. It’s a very long novel and at times the pacing was off as bits of it were really slow but when the characters were at their best in it I did enjoy it. It’s nice to read books from around the globe.

Had no idea what to expect with this book but I enjoyed it overall. Knausgaard if a very talented writer and I think the thematic work was very impactful.

The first half of this novel is concerned with a young man who has returned to his home after military service to live with his mother and young brother, his father died some years ago. The narrative style will be familiar to Knausgaard readers - a focus on detail that is somehow compelling and builds to a picture of a life.

There is an abrupt move to a focus on other characters, in particular a young Russian biologist, who is linked to the Norwegian boy (but no spoilers).

Throughout there are musings on the nature of existence and those who have written about this, particularly Russian thinkers. These build up to lengthy passages towards the end of the novel.

It is very good overall. Knausgaard is an excellent writer but the existential discussions felt unwelcome additions to me, particularly the ending. Nonetheless I would recommend it.