Hardback

Naïve.Super.

Norwegian title: Naiv. Super

Erlend Loe

Troubled by an inability to find any meaning in his life, the 25-year-old narrator of this deceptively simple novel quits university and eventually arrives at his brother's New York apartment. In a bid to discover what life is all about, he writes lists. He becomes obsessed by time and whether it actually matters. He faxes his meteorologist friend. He endlessly bounces a ball against the wall. He befriends a small boy who lives next door. He yearns to get to the bottom of life and how best to live it. Funny, friendly, enigmatic and frequently poignant - superbly naive.

"It displays a canny lightness of touch and a great deal of charm. An effortlessly hip and savvy antidote to the rainy day blues."

Sleazenation

"Loe certainly has some of Salinger's lightness of touch, and the often comic voice of his unnamed narrator recalls Salinger's Holden Caulfield. A charming debut novel."

The Times

"A book overflowing with creative talent... Well-calculated naivety"

Dagbladet (Norway)

"It is a fascinating how much depth this young author can convey in simple language - a major talent."

Oldenburgische Volkszeitung (Germany)

"I devoured Erlend Loe with giggling excitement."

Arbetet (Sweden)