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By: WELL 020
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2026-01-10 15:23:26 |
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One or two members couldn't read it because the print was small, but those who did thought it was brilliant! It'll be interesting to read the next two in the trilogy. |
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By: WHAKA 017
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2025-10-31 15:19:03 |
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Overall, with one exception, this book was very much enjoyed. Readers appreciated the storyline, the history and story of stave churches, the developing tale of the individual characters and their relationships and the anticipation of the next instalment of the trilogy. Some took a while to get engrossed, but the evolving story overtook these minor concerns. |
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By: AUCK 335
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2025-07-23 12:43:05 |
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We enjoyed this book with its mixture of history, religion, superstition, architecture, and relationships. We thought the main characters were all well-drawn and the description of life and hardship in an isolated and conservative village was both grim and convincing. Some found the history and description of stave churches particularly interesting. |
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By: RICH 005
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2025-05-07 15:04:52 |
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A very well-written historical novel. At times our group found his writing to be overly descriptive but that may have been the translation. 'Enjoyed' wasn't a word that any of the group used, but 'interesting and informative' were. |
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By: ROTO 006
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2025-04-30 14:57:09 |
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A very worthwhile read, with an upbeat ending. |
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By: WHANG 003
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2025-04-23 14:46:56 |
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Enjoyed the mixture of setting ,history, architecture and stories from the past. |
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By: NELS 043
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2024-05-22 11:45:08 |
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This was a wonderful book of historic fiction which we all really enjoyed. There were so many facets to his writing - the dialect, ancient traditions, beautiful descriptions of the remote valley, church and people. A brilliant writer - we look forward to the trilogy. |
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By: DUNED 058
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2024-02-28 14:15:09 |
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A most enjoyable book about which the group had lots to say and discuss. |
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By: PICT 005
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2023-12-16 16:03:24 |
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Our group unanimously rated this book a 5 stars one. We discussed the fine story-telling (and superb translation), and the thoughtful interweaving of story/saga, folk law, faith, landscape/climate, characters, and craft. |
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By: DUNED 005
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2023-11-22 14:28:58 |
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This was a success with everyone in the group, giving insights into a region unknown to us and what it means to live in such a harsh impoverished environment. And an excellent storyline. |
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By: CHCH 171
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2023-11-15 14:04:11 |
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An extraordinary book combining history, fiction and fantasy. Atmospheric, with fully developed complex characters. |
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By: ALEXA 001
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2023-09-25 14:42:51 |
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Evocative, atmospheric, gentle and descriptive were some of the comments from our group. The love of the land and its timelessness, despite the fight needed to survive its conditions is evident throughout. The skills of the old ways mourned in the face of modernity. |
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By: AKAR 004
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2023-09-25 12:02:10 |
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The majority of our group really enjoyed this novel, its richness of characters, and settings beautifully drawn. A small number were unable to get fully involved in it. |
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By: NAP 011
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2023-08-26 09:56:15 |
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Thoroughly enjoyed by nearly everyone. Fascinating, descriptive historical writing with characters brought to life by the author. Many are excited about reading the full trilogy. |
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By: MARTIN 003
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2023-08-21 13:20:49 |
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A lively conversation! A very bleak story, but saved with beautiful writing and strong characters. |
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By: AMBER 002
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2023-08-16 11:04:54 |
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On the whole the book was enjoyed by most. Some struggled with the Norwegian names. |
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By: AUCK 381
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2023-06-27 14:13:40 |
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50% - 50% on this one. Most felt the end was too rushed. All were obsessed with the twins, bells and staves - particularly the rich history. |
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By: WELL 041
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2023-06-15 14:54:43 |
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This book was simply beautiful and a story written with great care, and we all gave it 5 stars. All the characters were skilfully shaped and the history of the stave churches carefully related. The love story was so tender and rang true, with superstition woven in. A beautiful translation from the Norwegian to English. A stunning book. We are eagerly awaiting the rest of the trilogy. |
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By: AUCK 014
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2023-06-14 14:48:01 |
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Quite a divided response from 'excellent' to 'wouldn't recommend', though in the end it scored better than the discussion would have suggested. There was no escaping the cold and gloom, but the history of Norwegian culture and growing impact of change in the late 19th century was really interesting for most of the group. The lyrical narrative was cleverly translated and the story was a good vehicle to describe those changes. |
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By: WHAKA 008
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2023-05-18 10:08:40 |
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Amazing descriptions of the cold, the characters, and the folklore the villagers still cling to. Led to a discussion about suicides where it is dark for so long in winter. |
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By: AUCK 293
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2023-05-03 14:18:55 |
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Interesting. Loved the history, the culture, and the endurance of the people. Also learning about the construction and destruction of stave churches. |
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By: CHCH 009
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2023-05-01 10:15:58 |
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All the group very much enjoyed this book. The quality of the translation was fantastic and we all want to read the next in the series. |
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By: RAUM 001
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2023-04-26 11:29:59 |
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Some loved it while some didn't think much of it at all, so it provoked a lively discussion. Interesting historical description of ancient churches; and the cold and hunger were palpable. |
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By: NELS 031
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2023-04-19 13:52:22 |
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Some people in our group found this book difficult to get into. Two of us have travelled to Norway and have connections to the country, and we loved it. |
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By: TAUR 005
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2023-03-27 11:52:09 |
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Instructive regarding Norway - absorbing plot. We were engaged in the story. An excellent novel well translated. |
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By: AUCK 038
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2023-02-27 11:46:41 |
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Wonderful read - looking forward to the sequel! |
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By: CHCH 001
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2023-02-02 13:12:14 |
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A well-written account covering history and folk lore along with credible characters - informative and enjoyable. |
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By: WELL 007
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2023-01-25 12:35:37 |
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Interesting discussion on reading the book. One member had her own photographs of a stave church and we discussed the influence on the community surrounding it in the book. It was fascinating to see how important the huge staves were to the shape of the church, the narrow portals and carvings. Further discussion from the searching questions re the characters, also the structure of the book over 3 stories. |
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By: MOTUE 005
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2022-11-23 13:14:42 |
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Generated good discussion, most found it a grim depiction of a harsh life. A few googled the history of these amazing churches, the few that are left. We enjoyed the development of the two main characters. |
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By: THAM 003
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2022-11-21 12:53:13 |
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Very mixed response to this book. Half the group loved it and the other half did not finish it. |
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By: AUCK 301
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2022-09-15 13:13:14 |
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Most of us loved it, and could see the whole setting and characters in our mind's eye. We see a sequel, we see a film. I was in awe of the beautiful translation from Norwegian. |
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By: WINT 002
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2022-08-29 11:16:29 |
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Thoroughly enjoyed this story - so interesting about the stave churches and life in the village in Norway. Inspired to go and see the ones that are still standing - so sad. We enjoyed the author's writing. |
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By: GISB 012
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2022-08-29 10:16:57 |
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Our group loved this book. Great characters, fascinating history of stave churches, progress of the times, architecture and Norse folklore. Some of us have already read the sequel in the trilogy, 'The Reindeer Hunter'. |
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By: TAUR 043
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2022-08-16 11:52:36 |
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Some in the group loved the story with the combination of Norse folklore, history, architecture and love story. A few others found it hard to start - bleak background with the 1880s setting and the bleak conditions. Some are keen to read the next book in the trilogy. |
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By: LITRIV 001
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2022-08-08 11:18:15 |
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We all enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the next in the trilogy. It was very interesting learning about life in Norway in the 19th century. |
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By: TAUR 004
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2022-05-16 14:44:02 |
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Beautiful prose. Interesting insight into Norwegian history, told through a very engaging story. Wonderful. |
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By: CROMW 005
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2021-10-22 14:15:57 |
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3 of us loved it, and found it riveting. The rest found it boring, and couldn't get into it! |
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