Children's Books · Hardback

If You Lie

Norwegian title: Hvis du lyver

Thomas Marco Blatt, winner of the Tarjei Vesaas Debutant Prize, has written a beautiful and crystal clear examination of the all-consuming experience of first love. Protagonist Klara isn't in love with Matias, like everybody thinks, but her neighbour Sofie, two years her senior.

Without verging on the speculative, Blatt lays the foundations for an enterprising narrative about first love with additional challenges. This is a universal story about the dawn of love's existence for any individual, and the fact that every gain made in adulthood is met with a loss of childhood.

‘Writing for children is not a problem for Blatt. His telling of Klara’s story is as neat as it is nimble. … A recent visit to the local book shop revealed that mystery and fantasy books are dominating the shelves. I won’t say a word against this genre, but children need variation. Not everyone likes ghosts and magic. Hvis du lyver is a welcome addition. This is an open and easily read story about love which is neither raucous nor speculative.’ DAGBLADET

Beautiful and important ‘Finally! A novel with homosexuality as its theme without lengthy self-examinations and subsequent identity crises. […] Klara’s fascination for the tough team goalkeeper donned in dungarees shot with holes seems heartfelt. A series of dreams underline the fact that the love that exists within her is deep and natural. Equally believable is the social pressure that forces her to choose a boyfriend, a role adopted by her best friend Matias. […] Blatt has authored a unique book. […] He has succeeded in capturing Klara’s struggle to have her feelings taken seriously and has transformed this into a universal tale of first love.’ BARNEBOKKRITIKK.NO

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