Customer Reviews

Elling: A Novel

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I had actually seen the movie version of this book first - which I enjoyed so much that I decided to round back and read the book.
What a delight it was to read. Several times I would laugh out loud at Elling's prim - prudish views of the world around him, and his commentary on the state of the Norwegian Welfare State.

Elling and his roomie Kjel-Barnje have just left 1-year of inpatient psychriatric care behind themselves, and are being giving the opportunity to live in a flat provided by the Oslo city council - under the watchful eye of their social worker Frank. Frank guides Elling and K-B as they introduce themselves to society. Step by careful step they both start to overcome their fears.

Both men make huge strides in finding themselves and their places in society - finding romance, and friendship. This is a gentle treatment of 2 men suffering from emotional problems - it handles them with great maturity, kindess, and with wit.

I found this book entirely by accident in my local library.

The tale of Elling and Kvell-Bjarne's gradual entrance into non-institutionalized society merges the genres of farce, buddy film, and bildungsroman with great humor, charm, and sense of place. Beautifully paced. Translation excellent.

I am usually too lazy to review books, but I'm reviewing this one in the hope that more of Ambjornsen's Elling books (I think there are 4 altogether) will be translated into English.