Naïve. Super [Paperback]

Erlend Loe (Author), Tor Ketil Solberg (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2003

The narrator of this funny and poignant novel is searching for meaning. Going back to his childhood, onto the web and off to New York to find it. He writes lists, obsesses over the nature of time and finds joy in bouncing balls - all in an effort to find out how best to live life. An utterly enchanting meditation on experience Naive. Super was a No. 1 best-seller in Loe's native Norway.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I devoured Erlend Loe with giggling enchantment."

About the Author

Erlend Loe, born in Trondheim, Norway, in 1969, has appeared on the stage and worked in film and video production. He has been a critic for the Worker's Newspaper, worked in a psychiatric hospital and been a substitute teacher.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Canongate U.S. (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841952516
• ISBN-13: 978-1841952512
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,448,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy, if you can find it, by leaps and bounds..., June 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Naïve. Super (Paperback)

I bought the english and norwegian version while trying to learn norwegian this past year, with the sole purpose of using it to strengthen my mediocre norwegian skills.

I was blown away, and could not put it down until I finished in the wee hours of the morning. The language (english, I still have not figured out norwegian) in the book is easily digestable, and the story is just so great it will really make your life better for having read it (seriously). I've since bought 5 or 6 copies for a few friends and my brother, and each of them were moved enough to buy a copy or passed their's along to someone else.

The only drawback is finding a copy somewhere, or even worse trying to find one of his other books. I cannot imagine they are anything less than extraordinary. Why this book hasn't hit the US like a lightning bolt - I will never understand.

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and profound, February 21, 2010

By 

Benjamin (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Naive. Super (Paperback)

The twenty five year narrator is confused, a graduate who has just withdrawn from his masters degree course he is confused, he is hung up on time and space, he has diffusivity understanding such concepts, and as he explains, it is easy to see why. He expresses himself in very simple terms, many sentences are just three or four words in length, yet what he is considering is frequently profound. He considers what he has, and what he does not, he likes making lists.

Looking after his older brother's apartment in Norway while his brother is away on business, he makes friends with a young boy of kindergarten age who lives in the same building, he meets a girl, and enjoys the caring attention of his brother.

Naïve. Super is like no other book I have read, while the narrator is concerned about certain concepts, he is also concerned about friendship, life, and being a good guy. It makes for a fascinating and very different reading experience.

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, Light-hearted and Fast Read, May 25, 2008

By 

The Countess - See all my reviews

This review is from: Naive. Super (Paperback)

This is one of the few books that a person can zip right through without even knowing about it. The writing style is blog-style which is free-form and first person. Erlend Loe gives the reader a window into the mind and soul of the main character. Since he does not conform to the conventional and formal writing style of most fiction writers, the formation of the main character is very fluid and natural. After reading a few pages, it feels like I know the main character very well and this gets me hooked into the story even more.

Give this book a read! It is unique and creative. Although it may not be for everyone, it is definitely worth giving a chance.