Collected Works

This wa ssuch an enjoyable and compelling read that was well written with well developed characters and a storyinfused with mystery, secrets and drama. I couldn't put it down, I needed to know what happens.

I loved this book. I finished it yesterday and miss the characters as if they are friends I want to spend more time with. A synopsis can't give a true view of this novel but essentially it's the story of three friends - Martin (the main character) and Gustav meet at school, both outsiders, later Gustav becomes an artist and Martin a publisher and would-be author. Cecilia is the third who Martin meets at university and marries.

The narrative moves back and forth between the present day, the boys's schooldays and the young adulthood of the three, when Gustav is becoming well-known as an artist, Martin and Cecilia marry after she becomes pregnant, but we also see their daughter Rakel as a young woman. There is a mystery as Cecilia suddenly left her family one day and has not been seen since. Rakel is desperate to find her and Martin has never managed to move on without her.

The novel reminded me of Jonathan Franzen, with his focus on one family and the dynamics (but I think this is better) and also Knausgaard with the detailed descriptions of their everyday lives (characterised by enormous amounts of alcohol and horrible food in their youth).

I found it mesmerising and would love to meet someone else who has read it so that I could discuss it with them - particularly the ending, but I won't give any spoilers.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.