Saturday, October 18, 2008

What I'm Reading . . . Out Stealing Horses

This is a well-written, melancholy novel about a man trying to forget the past by living in solitude in rural Norway. Unfortunately, his choice doesn't have the intended effect because solitude gives him too much time to dwell on his history.














This is translated from Norwegian, and I always wonder about the authenticity of translated works. Are the words the author's or the translator's? What's been lost or added? I'm really not sure who should get the credit; although the ideas are the author's, it's the translator's artistry that makes the book.

Regardless, Out Stealing Horses is an admirable piece of writing. It hasn't grabbed me, but I'm glad I'm reading it.

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