The Reindeer Hunters is a sequel to The Bell in the Lake as well as a stand-alone novel, and once again the masterful and spellbinding storytelling ilThe Reindeer Hunters is a sequel to The Bell in the Lake as well as a stand-alone novel, and once again the masterful and spellbinding storytelling illuminates.
The roots of both stories go back to the conjoined twin sisters and their legendary tapestries, which were woven in accordance with the ancient Norse tradition and they used the rarest methods of plant-dyeing. There is one specific tapestry that was given to the church after the death of the sisters in 1613, but the tapestry is missing.
Pastor Kai Schweigaard feels bad about dismantling the stave church and in the process losing the church’s mystical sister bells. When he came to Butangen, fictional place in Norway, he was about modernization and putting end to the myths. But now, he feels differently. The new church lacks the atmosphere of the stave church. And finding the missing tapestry might bring him redemption, even though it’s woven with pre-Christian patterns, something he tried to eradicate.
In 1903, Jehans Hekne is a young man. He is the son of Astrid Hekne, who was the main heroine in the first book. She died giving birth to Jehans and his twin brother. Jehans wasn’t accepted by the Hekne family, thus was raised by foster parents. And now, enjoys his freedom on a homestead in the mountains outside Butangen, fishing and hunting for his livelihood. As he hunts, his path crosses with Victor Harrison, an Englishman, who is a regular hunter in Norway.
When Victor gets hurt while hunting, Jehans takes him to parsonage. There, the pastor sees something he hasn’t expected. The threads weaving the story are getting tighter, and even more fascinating.
As the pastor searches for tapestry, the story reveals history of weaving and its patterns. As men hunt, the story reveals the dangers of hunting, and what it takes to be a good hunter. Also, this story brilliantly explores the themes of love, courage, and redemption as well as what it takes to accept changes and embrace a new era.
The stories of three men are superbly merged, with each chapter having an enigmatic end – not wanting to end, but then instantly engrossing with the beginning of next chapter. The magnificently developed characters engaged with their stories, exploring the ups and downs that life throws at them.
The story begins with the mystery of the tapestry, then, its threads weave the stories of three men, and in the last part how they respond to changing times, and how they come to terms with what has happened in their lives. Beautifully explored themes of life.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com ...more
In a remote mountain farmstead in Norway, Edvard tries to come to terms with his past. He lost his parents when he was three years old and never learnIn a remote mountain farmstead in Norway, Edvard tries to come to terms with his past. He lost his parents when he was three years old and never learned anything about them, after which was raised by his grandfather, who just passed away. Now, Edvard is handed a letter and with it a coffin, which in itself is a masterful piece of art. The letter explains he is to decide whether or not the coffin should be used. Edvard suspects the coffin was sent by his great-uncle Einar and sees it as a message - since his grandfather refused Einar permission to see Edvard on his tenth birthday, as two brothers were estranged. A priest adds another piece to the mystery, he knows of an argument between his great-uncle and his mother. He traced that argument to a mysterious inheritance.
When Edvard starts unearthing the secrets of the past, the search takes him to Shetland Islands where he tries to find out answers to what happened in 1971. The lead takes him to a hairdresser who cut his great-uncle’s hair for the first time in 1943. He is told, despite his great-uncle’s upbeat personality, they revealed very little about themselves, because everyone was careful with words during the war. Then, she heard of some dealings between timber merchant and a cabinetmaker, followed by disagreement.
Encompassing both wars of the 20th century, the story is further complicated by what connects both men - timber. There are walnut trees, of great sentimental value to one, which stand in an area of fire and destruction. Another is asked to rescue them.
The sleuthing is masterfully executed and the complexity of the plot is deepened by fully dimensional characters.
The sense of place is beautifully explored through the Shetland Islands. An island in itself is a work of nature, at times, with its strong winds and furious waves that carry natural resources of driftwood to its shores, and what you can create with it, is finely woven into the story. And the remoteness of the island, where life is simple and time has stopped, not giving way to new inventions, rather exposing the raw beauty of the island. And along the way, the history of the island.
The story is multilayered, also involving events of one of the deadliest battles in human history, presented authentically with depth and respect, skillfully blending both human nature and nature in itself.
The pace of the story moves with waves, slow and fast, with some heavy dialogue at times.
P.S. In the US, previously one more book was published by this author - The Bell in the Lake, which I highly recommend.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com ...more
A seven-hundred-year-old stave church is being deconstructed in Norway. This is not just a wooden church, but an intricately built artefact with decorA seven-hundred-year-old stave church is being deconstructed in Norway. This is not just a wooden church, but an intricately built artefact with decoratively painted timber walls. Why would you risk the process of transporting this precious cargo to Germany?
Norway, 1880. In a secluded village of Butangen, young Astrid Henke dreams about a life beyond the valley and beyond conventional life. She already turned down two suitors, and now is viewed as restless, of sharp nature and impossible to discipline.
The seven-hundred-year-old stave church in the village chimes with the bells donated by Astrid’s ancestors. The church has a new pastor, direct and unpatronizing, who wants to “stamp out all forms of superstition and folklore.” Christianity should lead to progress. By law, the church is too small and it’s dilapidated. He wants to build “a functional church, a warm church, with four wood burners,” with big and easy to clean windows, “not like those bumpy glass panes high up on the walls.” Thus, he sends a grand proposal to Dresden to build a new, bigger church.
When the architect named Gerhard arrives from Dresden, he sketches the stave church, asks questions about missing dragon heads and a portal - a door frame. He was sent on this once in a life time project by his professor and was briefed about history of stave churches, of which Norway once had over 1000 stave churches, now down to just 50. Artistry is being smashed across the country, and the architect is here to oversee the deconstruction of the church and later reconstruction of it in Germany.
The news announcing the fate of the church is not well-received. The sale of the church also includes the two bells and that upsets Astrid. And she hatches a plan how to save the Sister Bells.
The fate of the bells and deconstruction of the church keep readers in suspense. Deconstruction involves many aspects: careful attention to finely crafted joints so they are not damaged or the timbers split. Then everything needs to be entered “into logbook using an intricate system of numbers and letters,” then carefully stored until it’s ready to be shipped. The path that Astrid picks keeps a reader in suspense as well.
Descriptions of the place are magical, the history of the stave churches is spellbinding, and the depth of the historical background is breathtaking. The blend of the location, its people, customs, myths, their stave church and the legendary church bells all come together like a fairytale, enchanted by the chime of the bells. And with the combination of the warm characters, together create a fascinating story.
This novel is a rare gem. It has a beautiful depth and interestingly developed characters. The compelling storyline is flawlessly woven with sharp prose and undeniable humor. Excellently balanced story with history, fiction and suspense makes it a seamless read.
One of the best books ever. Rarest of the rarest gems! 100 stars!
This spellbinding gem took my breath away and I ventured with some question to the bestselling Norwegian author Lars Mytting. His answers will be live on 3/31/21 at mysteryandsuspense.com
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com...more
“Inspired by the real events of the Vardo storm and the 1621 witch trials.”
On Christmas Eve 1617 the Vardo storm claims forty fishermen, among them br“Inspired by the real events of the Vardo storm and the 1621 witch trials.”
On Christmas Eve 1617 the Vardo storm claims forty fishermen, among them brother and father of Maren. With nearly all men dead, the women of a tiny Arctic island of Vardo must fend for themselves. The women fish, chop the wood, ready the fields, butcher reindeer, tend the livestock. A new Pastor assigned to Vardo observes the women closely and asks for a commissioner to be assigned as he sees something that may not be a godly behavior. A firmer hand is needed, “to root the Church more fully into the land.”
Ursa, commissioner’s wife, is terrified by her newlywed husband. But she is a smart woman and she can form her own opinion. By being obedient doesn’t mean she agrees with her husband. On the small island of Vardo, she sees primitive living conditions. At the same time, she notices women being independent.
Commissioner’s pressure and his iron hand cause a rift among kirke-women. Those gathering for social Wednesday meets at kirke (religious community).
The women’s gatherings and the friendship forged between two women, Maren and Ursa, are very heart-warming. My heart went out to those two women, especially Ursa, coming from a warm house and married to a cold, controlling husband. She carefully needs to trudge the waters with her husband.
Impressively drawn characters, who are helpless against man’s ruling world.
Grippingly drawn time period, infused with different customs. I enjoyed the customs of Sami people, who some considered wild. What one finds comfort in or sees as gestures of remembrance, another sees as witchcraft. The time period also gives a good sense of how it was to be a passenger on a boat or to be doing fishing. The simplicity of living huts is well-presented.
Enjoyable descriptions that transport readers back in time, giving enough descriptions to make that impression of the time of hard conditions and at the same time they’re not overly done.
Poignant and captivating story of courageous women, inspiringly crafted with flawless prose....more
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