WINNER OF SØRLANDETS (SOUTHERN NORWAY'S) LITERATURE PRIZE

Overgrow is a coming-of-age story about seeing one self in nature, about being othered from the people and the village one grows up in. It is a novel about being in love and about desire. Desire strengthens us, but it also makes us vulnerable, and shows us clearly that we are but a tiny piece in the big system we call nature.

«Håland has previously written three poetry collections. This is his first novel. But it's a novel with much poetry. And much nature. Life's impermanence, nature's decay, the sea's infinity, all of this makes the book beautiful, despite the ugly. He writes directly, sensually, closely. This book gives me associations to the French author comet Eduard Louis.»
FÆDRELANDSVENNEN, fiv/six stars

«In both the dialogues and the descriptions, Håland writes with impressive credibility and experience, and the short form gives the story efficiency and dramatic drive.»
MORGENBLADET

«He possesses a poetic undertone in his language that amazes and fascinates the reader. At times the novel is like a piece of nature poetry. It's reminiscent of Tarjei Vesaas.»
JURY OF SØRLANDETS LITERATURE PRIZE