50 pages • 1 hour read
Out Stealing Horses
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Book Brief
238
Novel • Fiction
Norway • 1940s
2003
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson and translated by Anne Born, follows the reflections of Trond Sander as he reminisces about his life and confronts his aging and mortality. Set in 1999 in rural eastern Norway, the narrative shifts between Trond's present and the pivotal summer of 1948, highlighting themes of nature, solitude, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences and history. The book includes depictions of Nazi persecution and the accidental death of a child.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
38,164 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Per Petterson's Out Stealing Horses (trans. Anne Born) garners acclaim for its poetic prose and vivid depictions of Norwegian landscapes, enriching its meditation on memory and loss. While praised for its emotional depth and nuanced characters, some critics note a slow narrative pace as a drawback. Overall, it’s a reflective and beautifully crafted novel.
Who Should Read Out Stealing Horses?
A reader who enjoys Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson, translated by Anne Born, would appreciate introspective narratives and poignant reflections on the past. Fans of The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro or My Struggle series by Karl Ove Knausgård may find similar thematic resonance and stylistic appeal.
38,164 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Trond’s Father
Trond’s Father
A former Resistance fighter during the war, characterized by his cautious nature and the influence his actions and absences have on Trond, his son.
Trond’s Mother
Trond’s Mother
A somewhat distant figure in the narrative, whose emotional transformation is significant to Trond's perception of family and maturity.
Jon Haug
Jon Haug
Trond's adventurous childhood friend and neighbor during the summer of 1948, whose actions have lasting impacts on their community and relationships.
Jon’s Father
Jon’s Father
A man marked by inaction and seen as a foil to Trond’s father, whose choices during and after the war affect his family's fate.
Jon’s Mother
Jon’s Mother
A strong and capable woman known for her courage, whose complex choices influence the dynamics between families in the narrative.
Lars Haug
Lars Haug
Jon's younger brother and a figure who shares connections with Trond both in the past and in their present lives as neighbors.
Franz
Franz
A lumberjack and former Resistance fighter, who provides Trond with guidance and perspective on the adults around him during his youth.
Ellen
Ellen
Trond’s daughter, whose determined nature and unexpected visit highlight Trond's distance from his family and past life.
238
Novel • Fiction
Norway • 1940s
2003
Adult
18+ years
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