Dina's Book (Paperback)

by Herbjorg Wassmo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Set in mid-19th century Norway and infused with Scandinavian-style magical realism, this spellbinding novel calls to mind Eliot's Middlemarch and the film Babette's Feast. Willful Dina's character is shaped by her involvement in the grisly accident that kills her mother, after which she temporarily loses the power of speech and permanently distances herself from the strictures of upper-class life in remote, sub-Arctic Nordland. Wild and unmanageable, Dina is sent from home soon after the accident to be raised in a poor cotter's family. She remains mute for several years, until she returns to her father's house where she is taken in hand by a tutor who teaches her music and mathematics. At age 15, Dina is married off to Jacob, a wealthy older landowner. After Jacob's unexpected death (in another accident in which Dina plays a part), his forceful, unconventional widow takes over his estate, bending its people to her will. Though beset by ghosts and a nearly papable grief, Dina proves to be a survivor. Insightful, memorable characterizations, coupled with spare, unadorned prose, move the haunting narrative swiftly to its enigmatic finish. Wassmo was named "The Author of the Eighties" by Norwegian booksellers; she also won the prestigious Nordic Council Literature Prize. 25,000 first printing.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal
The fine line between sanity and insanity is tested in this riveting novel of 19th-century Norway. Dina feels rejection and guilt for, at age five, having accidentally caused her mother's death. As a willful tomboy, she is married off at age 16 to a man her father's age. After he teaches her the joys of sexuality and wine, he dies suddenly and mysteriously. Widowed and pregnant, Dina becomes actively involved in the management of her husband's ample estate, though she is now haunted by two ghosts. When a Russian wanderer dips in and out of her life, she becomes a woman obsessed. Though the focus of the book is on Dina's character, the setting is vividly portrayed, and the action brings one surprise after another. The author is winner of the Nordic Council Prize. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.
- Ann Irvine, Montgomery Cty. P.L., Md.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing (May 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559703482
• ISBN-13: 978-1559703482
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #470,477 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A jewel of a book, masterfully written and translated., May 20, 1999

By	maria armstrong([e-mail]) (Pretoria, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dina's Book (Hardcover)

Herbjorg Wassmo succeeds in captivating the imagination of the reader with a powerful narrative set in a mystical Norway of the early 1800's. Young, tender Dina is irrevocably traumatised when she indirectly causes the death of her mother. Sent away by a father who cannot bear the sight of her, she becomes a wolfcub - untamed and unloved and constantly tortured by the spirit of her suffering mother. She matures into beautiful, willful young woman, reckless in her ways and relationships. Jacob, a wealthy older landower falls under her strange spell, and she is convinced to marry him by a father who is relieved to be rid of his wild child. Jacob is killed mysteriously, after which Dina is tortured by yet another ghost. She gains power and influence on his estate, but cannot rid herself of the immenent presence of the dark shadows of those she loved. Dina seeks refuge in her cello and solidarity, which only seem to disturb her more. The arrival of a Russian traveller plays havoc with her emotions and she is compelled to posess him. But this Russian will not be captured... This old-wordly novel pulls one into a restless Norway - as with Dina, the moments of serenity are shortlived. You are shocked and moved by her, feeling the intensity of her emotions and the unrelenting force of nature. This is a tale that has become part of me, a special volume on my bookshelf that may be revisited again and again. Bravo and encore!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it away!, April 6, 2002

By A Customer

Wow! This book is like ... probably the best I've ever read, and believe me when I say that I read A LOT!

Dina is a child of destiny who becomes a woman of pride.
Now she must use the power within her, and the forces around her to change the past and escape her fate.

Because her past is something she is reminded of every single day... Her mother. When Dina was about six years old, she managed to cause an accident which killed her mother. And after this, Dina sees her mother following her through her live, always appearing whenever Dina makes a decision or a new turn.

The book is about who Dina is, and how she meets the world when she gets married to her father's best friend.

You should also see the movie "I Am Dina" (2002), which is based on this book. Starring the wonderful, norwegian actress Maria Bonnevie as Dina. Also together with Gérard Depardieu. The cast is just simply brilliant, an the movie has it all: drama, humour, suspense, love, betrayel...

I've seen the film twice already, and I feel like I can totally relate to Dina. In an interview, Maria Bonnevie said that all women would feel they have a little Dina inside. And I couldn't agree more!

"I am Dina. This is my story".

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong book about a strong woman, July 5, 2002

By	Britt Arnhild Lindland (Norway) - See all my reviews

Herbjørg Wassmo is a Norwegian writer writing about Norwegian people. Her characters are always strong and Dina is no exeption. This book is one of the best I have ever read...

Herbjørg Wassmo has a fantastic, colorful language, and as soon as you are drawn into this small North Norway community of the 1900th century you will stay there through the book and still for a long time after the book is finished. The book is not at all an easy beach read, but you should give yourself the opportunity to read the book. It will change you as a person.

Britt Arnhild Lindland