“[Hoem] masterfully distills the seismic shifts of emigration into the poignant farewells of one family.”
Bridget Thoreson, Booklist, US

‘A master in action […] A magnificent piece of writing about the American dream […] A Haymaker in Heaven is an unusually fine-tuned written narrative.’
5/6 stars,  VG

‘Magnificent tale of a great grandfather […] Hoem is a gifted storyteller. The simple, efficient language works whether he is depicting nature, the weather or people encountering love […] the author tells the story with a sweeping pen and in a way that makes us a little cleverer […] I hope that Hoem will delight us with at least one more book.’
6/6 stars, Fædrelandsvennen

‘Realism finds its counterpart in Hoem’s language. On the cover, the publisher calls the book “an inspired novel”, something of which the wonderful title, A Haymaker in Heaven, is a good example. The novel is poetic fantasy, and what makes this small slice of Norwegian history really interesting reading is the contrast between the lives of the humble characters and the elevated language with which they are described […] this is Hoem’s solution to the historical novel’s problem: the language means that you never doubt the point of view […] a good-natured yet genuinely good novel.’
Klassekampen

‘Free-flowing and wide-ranging […] While emigration stories often focus on struggles and disappointments, Hoem balances the story so that joy and the spirit of adventure also have their place […] we notice that the text has a pulse […] Here there is romance and desire, sensuality and love of life, faith and doubt […] everything is dished out with a steady hand in a novel that will capture the attention of many.’
Vårt Land

‘Hoem’s new novel must be one of this autumn’s most sensual […] the poet uses his skills and supplies knowledge and imagination, and should be praised for another moving and very readable portrait of human destinies in a tough Norwegian past. […] In brief, Haymaker in Heaven is a wonderful reading experience.’
Dagsavisen

‘When [Hoem] has found a topic, he can outline a situation that manifests as a clear image in only a few lines and get it to vibrate with intensity. We immediately get the feeling that something is at stake […] I put down the book down starving. I hope that this is a beginning and not an end […] This is a primed canvas that is large enough for several books.’
Dag og Tid

‘[Hoem] displays the unique ability to illustrate the pioneers’ actual living conditions, their will to succeed, their courage – everything that has since become an American creed. He depicts the interplay between the emigrants and the hope that always seems to triumph over despondency with a sensuality that makes it all very real.’
Adresseavisen

‘Brilliant depiction of upheaval. Wonderful mix of family sagas and a portrait of the 19th century in the West […] Hoem’s unsentimental representation of the role of children in the traditional farming community is thought-provoking. The book’s sober, concrete and sensual style breathes life into the characters and their surroundings […] A Haymaker in Heaven is a brilliant depiction of an upheaval that exists to this day, albeit in different forms. The book also makes the reader dream of a life in a covered wagon, on the road to unknown terrain.’
Bergens Tidende

‘Edvard Hoem’s historical novel is possibly far from “the truth”, but so poetic, entertaining and well-written that I enjoyed every page […] An uncommonly beautiful novel […] He uses poetic and beautiful language.’
Dagbladet

‘A sensual tour de force about Hoem’s great grandfather, who had to choose between staying in Norway or emigrating to the USA. A piece of Norwegian history about who we are.’
VG, Best Books of 2014

‘A piece of poetic Norwegian history […] He gives life to the demands and anguish of that time, and writes effortlessly and clearly. This book is something as contradictory as a sober, down-to-earth and realistic novel written using elevated, poetic and sensual language.’
Aftenposten

‘It is always with great expectation that I open a new book by Edvard Hoem, and I wasn’t disappointed this time either […] If I was to offer one good piece of advice to Dagen readers who enjoy literature at the beginning of this new “reading year”, it would be to prioritise Edvard Hoem and A Haymaker in Heaven. You won’t find much better than reading this book!’
Dagen