Cousins (Innbundet)

Author:

Kristian S. Hæggernes

Norwegian title: Fettere & kusiner
Author:
Binding: Innbundet
Year: 2015
Pages: 272
Publisher: Cappelen Damm
Språk: Bokmål
ISBN/EAN: 9788202478940
Overview Fettere & kusiner

Whereas children his age, including his siblings, have completed their education and leapt into adult life, Njål has abandoned his studies, still lives in his parents' basement and works at the petrol station just across the road.

Fettere & kusiner follows Njål through ten days during which he looks back on his childhood and wonders whether everything turned out as it did because of what happened one summer at the cabin. Ten days during which he also receives an offer and makes new acquaintances that might be able to help him out of his rut.

‘The man who won’t grow up is a familiar figure in Norwegian contemporary literature, but I have rarely seen these directionless individuals depicted in such a relaxed yet nevertheless serious fashion as in Bergen-based Kristian Hæggernes’ debut novel Fettere og kusiner. … With loneliness as a sounding board, Hæggernes writes beautifully about fellowship. … Hæggernes is able to say things like they are without it falling flat. The real nerve of the narrator confirms that this is an authorship of which we should keep track.’
DAGENS NÆRINGSLIV

‘By allowing ambiguity in the main character’s approach to his own situation, a sense arises in the novel that tragedy is never far away, despite its light-hearted and humorous feel.
BERGENS TIDENDE

‘His text has a slightly incomprehensible appeal, perhaps because it seems honest and genuine.
AFTENPOSTEN

Hæggernes is best with small surfaces where the material and idea is cemented into good literature, because that’s what this is about.’
DAG OG TID

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More books by Kristian S. Hæggernes:

Reviews Fettere & kusiner

Skiller seg ut med sin ærlige skildring av ensomheten

"Mannen som ikke vokser opp, er en velkjent figur i norsk samtidskultur, men sjelden har jeg sett den retningsløse skildret sa avslappet, men likevel seriøst som i den bergensbaserte forfatteren Kristian Hæggernes’ første roman Fettere & kusiner. [...] Med ensomheten som klangbunn skriver Hæggernes vakkert om fellesskapet. [...] Hæggernes har en evne til a si ting rett ut uten at det blir flatt. Fortellerstemmens oppriktige nerve bekrefter at dette er et forfatterskap man bør følge godt med på."

Susanne Hedemann Hiorth, Dagens Næringsliv

Overraskende fremstilling av ensomhet og resignasjon

" [...] ved å la det hvile en tvetydighet i hovedpersonens tilnærming til sin egen situasjon, oppstår det en fin nerve i romanen som gjør at det tragiske aldri langt borte, tross dens lette og humoristiske stemning."

Live Ø Danielsen , Bergens Tidende

Sjenanse og verdighet

"[...] teksten hans har en litt ubegripelig tiltrekningskraft, kanskje ved at den fremstår som ærlig og effektfri."

Rune Hallheim , Aftenposten

Slekt og slikt

"[...] Hæggernes er best på små flater der stoffet og ideen blir fortetta til god litteratur, for det er det det handlar om heile vegen."

ODDMUND HAGEN, Dag og Tid

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Author Kristian S. Hæggernes

Kristian S. Hæggernes (b. 1972) saw his first collection of poetry The Weight of Falling Shadow published in 2004, and has since published a number of books within different genres. He has studied at the Writers Academy in Bergen, and works as a mentor for young writers at Trafo.no. His poetry has been published in a number of magazines.
Hæggernes is currently a member of the Norwegian literary council.

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