“Brilliant … Humorous and brutal about boyhood in the 1970s and 80s. For the most part, the book is a cheerful and anecdotal reading experience, with both funny, touching and frightening elements.’
Sindre Hovdenakk, VG, 5/6 stars
“That Lars Elling has a vivid language should perhaps come as no surprise. He shows an exquisite sense for small details, where he – excuse the expression – paints colourful moods with contemporary colouring (…) that testify to both a rich ability to associate and great linguistic control … Stories that bubble over with both pain and humorous storytelling, while the external and internal tension unfolds effectively.”
Leif Gjerstad, Bok365, 5/6 stars
” Elling shows that the 2022 bestseller The Princes of Paupers’ Pond was not just a fluke… When Lars Elling delves into the social and psychological territories of the gang of boys, the novel becomes truly compelling. Not only a joy of writing, but a completely unique joy of description unfolds on the pages … This love of detail and precision is one of the novel’s great qualities … Rock-hard codes of honour come into force … The linguistically gifted Elling presents this boyhood in all its wild power, joy and brutality.”
Turid Larsen, Dagsavisen
“The energy in Lars Elling’s new novel hits you right between the eyes. Open it to an almost randomly chosen page, and you will find stylish phrases or snapshots full of atmosphere … The perfectly sketched colour of the times evokes shimmering memories from my own childhood.”
Anne Merethe K. Prinos, Aftenposten
“[It’s] a pleasure to read, because the language is always on a par with the motif chosen by the narrator … The motifs that emerge are by no means always beautiful or uplifting. There is violence and shame and repression, but never indifference on behalf of the object. It is studied with a watchful eye and depicted with a steady hand.”
Anna Serafima Svendsen Kvam, Morgenbladet
“The novel has powerful scenes and language that breathes from the first page to the last… Elling has a fundamental understanding of good dramaturgy and writes with great detail… The power of nostalgia is not to be trifled with; if I had been more prone to crying, I am sure that Elling’s book would have brought tears to my eyes.”
William S. Mørch, Vårt Land
“Elling shows once again that he is a writer of sophisticated prose. I am already looking forward to reading this book again.”
Tor Hammerø, Nettavisen, 5/6 stars
