Literature and Fiction · Hardback

Twelve Light Years

Norwegian title: Tolv lysår

Gro Dahle

Twelve Light Years is an astonishing novel – unreal yet utterly natural.

The year is 2032. Norwegian Vera is one of 19 000 applicants to NASA's space training programme for astronauts. She's chosen: First to attend NASA's astronaut education, then to take part in China’s space programme, and finally to be part of the ten-person crew being sent to the exoplanet Luytens B. Luytens B is 12.36 light years away and is said to be a Super Earth. It's in the Canis Minor constellation, where the astronauts will seek out life and establish a space station. On her way to the planet, Vera becomes pregnant. She and the captain of the spaceship, Edvard, have followed the programme that was laid out for them: they will become a family.

Back on Earth, Vera has a father and a sister. And it's not like the immense distance makes her past life disappear. The journey to Luytens B also proves to be dangerous in ways none of the ten pioneers could imagine.

‘Gro Dahle has us holding our breath as if it's a thriller.’Tønsbergs blad, five/six stars

‘[...] joyful and exciting entertainment. Almost impossible to put down before the last page is finished.’Dagsavisen

‘[...] it's hard not to be deeply impressed and entertained by this epic science fiction novel.’Vårt Land