Naive. Super [Paperback]

Erland Loe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2005

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

About the Author

Erlend Loe has written six books for children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Canongate UK (July 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841956724
• ISBN-13: 978-1841956725
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,724 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 Humor, depth, and simplicity out of chaos, August 24, 2006

By 

Marit Rokeberg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Naïve. Super (Paperback)

This gem was truly a thrill to read. Entertaining, funny, simple, and relevant. When I first read it I was about the same age as the hero. And boy could I ever relate! Erlend Loe has touched on universal themes here, and I think that the greatest value of this story lies in its ability to pinpoint simply and accurately the most fundamental questions of human existence and in turn cause you to think about them in a personal way. I don't see how anyone could read this book and walk away unchanged.

Erlend Loe's unique voice in "Naive. Super" is open and insightful on a level that reminds me of "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" by Dave Eggers. And that is a compliment to both authors.

(To clarify: The title's spelling of "naive" is an English form, not Norwegian, and only appears in the translation.)

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps my favorite book, July 13, 2006

By 

Kelly - See all my reviews

This review is from: Naïve. Super (Paperback)

This book is wonderful! Simply written and oddly profound, it leaves the reader with a sense of serenity and hope. I first read this during a time of high stress, and it restored my sense of balance and priority. I read it periodically.