It is the winter of 2004. It has been snowing in Oslo for the past six weeks. Otto Horn is a young historian who has written a model and, in some respects, provocative thesis on terrorism and revolutionary activities. Together with his wife and four children, Otto, like most of his fellow citizens, is unable to continue his normal life because of the weather. Then there is a power failure.
The situation rapidly deteriorates to the point of crisis. A strange fear grips the city, which begins to brace itself to meet the unknown disaster that threatens. Life is no longer secure and predictable. But does that mean that the world about them has suddenly become more real, as Otto’s old friend argues? Six months earlier Otto learned that his former girlfriend has committed suicide. What was it with Helle? What was it with Helle og Otto? Otto has forgotten most of this past love affair.
Praise for Everything Sparkles:
“An impressive first novel centred on thoughts of great moment and couched in the language of a thriller”
Dagbladet
“… a devilishly capable newcomer … a novel that all booklovers should treat themselves to”
Adresseavisen
“An extraordinarily ambitious first novel about lost memories and the longing for a proper crisis… one of the new writers of recent years on whom I would be most prepared to stake my money”
Dagens Næringsliv
“Intelligently told…fascinating reading”
Klassekampen
“A really good first novel… interesting, well-written and thoroughly composed”
Tønsberg Blad
“Exciting and rare first novel”
Dagsavisen
“A novel that sparkles”
Ny Tid
“A complex novel. Mattis Øybø possesses a distinctive literary voice and succeeds in creating a special atmosphere throughout the book….a novel that stands out”
5 out of 6 stars, Fredrikstads Blad
“Rich and well-composed…sparkles all the way through”
Moss Avis
“Ambitious and awe-inspiring”
Norwegian Elle
“Well-written and thought-provoking…Everything Sparkles is beautifully written, with descriptions that give us a new perspective”
Spot.no
“The most convinving first novel I have seen in ages…. Read Øybø”
Rana Blad
