I have read 5 of these books, in Norwegian translation, and found them very interesting.
Each book digs into a new level of understanding how mankind lives, thinks and interacts with one another, culturally and environmentally. I would love to read more, but I am not sure if Solvej Balle has published all seven books yet, in Danish, that is.
I just finished Volume 1 and was disappointed after all of the accolades. I was willing to overlook the inconsistencies with it being just the first book of seven, but I wasn't convinced that Tara's husband would so readily believe her, and the repetition, while thematically understandable, didn't make for compelling reading. The prose and psychological and philosophical insights were too slight to make up for how repetitive the story was.
I've only read the first book, and some of the inconsistencies bothered me a little bit too, as well as the lack of technology throughout - but when I learned that Balle had the idea in the 80s and started writing in the 90s, that made a little more sense. I'm trying to reserve judgement until the rest of the books are out!
I just think we all have boring quotidian lives that feel as if they're endless, and we are repeating every day-I generally read fiction, at least in part, to experience something that's not the humdrum of daily existence. But these Balle books seem very obsessed with that same humdrum. If I wanted to pay deep attention to someone's daily routine, I'd just pay attention to my own.
In general, I quite agree, but I enjoyed the time-loop aspect of these and thought it broke her out of the "mundane trap" of a lot of other modern novels.
She was one of the people who made me want to read them! I feel like that about Knausgaard. I must be missing something, but whatever it is, I am REALLY missing it.
Oh and meanwhile I am quite fond of Knausgaard. I've read all six volumes! It's something in the voice. He just becomes like a friend. I became very invested in his little insecurities and ambitions. Helps that I mostly read the audiobooks, which are narrated by Eduardo Ballerini—a fantastic narrator.
I have been ruminating about this series for a long time, Henry. I'm always somewhat loathe to embark on a multi-volume set while trying to make up for my rather limited education in the "canon" (currently re-reading Homer and hoping to finish Dante for the first time, while listening to Cervantes after reading DQ for the first time a few years ago) . But I think I'm in, as I trust you implicitly. Now if only I could stop sleeping every night..
I believe III and IV will be available in November (in US) so maybe before that in Europe. But I have to wait for English. I had same questions about money and objects but the fantasy/quest is so enthralling I read in suspension.
Delighted to hear it!! That solves a problem for me - I read Dutch, but only slowly ... so I was wondering whether to invest the time in the original, or whether to "cheat" by reading the translation. But my Danish is limited to one sentence ("Jeg forstar ikke Dansk"), so I have no choice!
(I did think her name sounded surprisingly Scandinavian for the Netherlands, but ethnicity and language don't always follow, as we know.)
My only complaint is that they put these 2 volumes in English out while 5 more are on the way!
I know! I want them now!
I’m delighted to see this. I’ve had them on my list for the last few months and have been wondering when/if to jump in.
Thank you for sharing!
I have read 5 of these books, in Norwegian translation, and found them very interesting.
Each book digs into a new level of understanding how mankind lives, thinks and interacts with one another, culturally and environmentally. I would love to read more, but I am not sure if Solvej Balle has published all seven books yet, in Danish, that is.
Please comment, if you know.
I think that's right, she is still writing the last one or two?
I just finished Volume 1 and was disappointed after all of the accolades. I was willing to overlook the inconsistencies with it being just the first book of seven, but I wasn't convinced that Tara's husband would so readily believe her, and the repetition, while thematically understandable, didn't make for compelling reading. The prose and psychological and philosophical insights were too slight to make up for how repetitive the story was.
I've only read the first book, and some of the inconsistencies bothered me a little bit too, as well as the lack of technology throughout - but when I learned that Balle had the idea in the 80s and started writing in the 90s, that made a little more sense. I'm trying to reserve judgement until the rest of the books are out!
I found the first book SO dull.
haha that's like me with Knausgaard. What didn't you like?
I just think we all have boring quotidian lives that feel as if they're endless, and we are repeating every day-I generally read fiction, at least in part, to experience something that's not the humdrum of daily existence. But these Balle books seem very obsessed with that same humdrum. If I wanted to pay deep attention to someone's daily routine, I'd just pay attention to my own.
In general, I quite agree, but I enjoyed the time-loop aspect of these and thought it broke her out of the "mundane trap" of a lot of other modern novels.
Celine liked them too! I accept that they have some merit that I cannot perceive :)
She was one of the people who made me want to read them! I feel like that about Knausgaard. I must be missing something, but whatever it is, I am REALLY missing it.
Oh and meanwhile I am quite fond of Knausgaard. I've read all six volumes! It's something in the voice. He just becomes like a friend. I became very invested in his little insecurities and ambitions. Helps that I mostly read the audiobooks, which are narrated by Eduardo Ballerini—a fantastic narrator.
I have been ruminating about this series for a long time, Henry. I'm always somewhat loathe to embark on a multi-volume set while trying to make up for my rather limited education in the "canon" (currently re-reading Homer and hoping to finish Dante for the first time, while listening to Cervantes after reading DQ for the first time a few years ago) . But I think I'm in, as I trust you implicitly. Now if only I could stop sleeping every night..
I love the canon, but sometimes we need to read the moderns too, and these are short. haha agreed, all this sleep gets in the way of reading!
I believe III and IV will be available in November (in US) so maybe before that in Europe. But I have to wait for English. I had same questions about money and objects but the fantasy/quest is so enthralling I read in suspension.
I assume she works it out... maybe?
I heard that at least Volume 3 will be in galleys soon.
woooo!
I’m angling for a review copy! Maybe you can get one too!
well I didnt with these two
Me neither. I guess I’m just going to ask.
You may want to change Dutch to Danish.
Delighted to hear it!! That solves a problem for me - I read Dutch, but only slowly ... so I was wondering whether to invest the time in the original, or whether to "cheat" by reading the translation. But my Danish is limited to one sentence ("Jeg forstar ikke Dansk"), so I have no choice!
(I did think her name sounded surprisingly Scandinavian for the Netherlands, but ethnicity and language don't always follow, as we know.)
oh damn, thanks