In our world of too much information, over-sharing and vocal incontinence, Nordic virtues such as stoicism, taciturnity and repression can be like a breath of fresh air. That’s one of the reasons why I love Per Petterson’s books. His characters are the unsung heroes of life, unlucky, a bit lost but carrying on regardless, uncomplaining. Sometimes however, it is good to stand up and say: “I refuse”, to change your life’s drift and to mend past mistakes. This novel is a superbly written study of a handful of people in small-town Norway. It’s about friendship, family and figuring out how to live. Not a barrel of laughs, but also not as bleak as all of the above sounds. I enjoyed it very much.