Literature and Fiction · Hardback

Delirium

Roy Jacobsen

Posthumous novel by one of Norway's greatest contemporary writers.

What really goes on in a human mind? And what remains when those around you disappear?

Two men are walking on familiar paths in Oslo. They are the last remnants of a group of eight friends who grew up under a maple tree in a courtyard in Eastern Oslo. Now they are trying to clean up their own stories. But a long life has left inexorable traces.

Delirium is a story about friendship and loneliness, love and loss, the forgotten and the remembered.

"Candid and free on what matters most (...) Delirium is full of sentences that stand up to being read more than once (...)Moving, but also witty. Warm, wise, and sharp. And told with a certain reckless flair in a jazzy, improv style."NRK

"A dark and moving tale of death and decay that warms the heart – and reminds us of the author's greatness (...) a joy to read, with subtext bubbling with reflections, philosophical musings, and, not least, subtle humor."Bok365, 6/6 stars

"A great farewell address on old age, grief, and loneliness."Nettavisen, 6/6 stars

"Even though the finale came too soon, Delirium will stand as a breath of fresh air in Jacobsen's solid body of work (...) Linguistically, it is sharper and tighter than the realistic novels (...) Existentially, the book probes deeply without feeling heavy-hearted."Aftenposten

"Form and content work hand in hand in this novel, which borrows elements from detective fiction as well as the essay."Dagsavisen

"… a brilliant book about ageing. … The different perspectives on old Norwegian wealth, immigration, and societal change weave long threads throughout the novel. The alternation between these perspectives is one of its greatest strengths, not least in the dialogues with site manager Zbigniew and café host Ibrahim. I would have loved to quote the dialogues, or the narrator’s intricate, insightful reflections (...) they are outstanding—on par with Jacobsen’s best."Klassekampen

"This is a wistful and dark novel, one of Jacobsen’s darkest. Yet, the author still manages to bring forth a warmth within this universe."HK NYTT