To Siberia
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1996
252
Novel • Fiction
Denmark • 1930s
1996
Adult
18+ years
To Siberia by Per Petterson follows the memories of an unnamed 60-year-old narrator recounting her youth in Denmark during the 1930s and 1940s, centering on her relationship with her charismatic brother Jesper, who becomes involved in the Resistance during the Nazi occupation. The narrator reflects on their troubled family life, their shared fantasies of escape, and the impact of wartime events on their lives. The book includes depictions of suicide and sexual exploitation.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
2,377 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Per Petterson's To Siberia offers a poignant, atmospheric narrative capturing the resilience and struggles of a young girl during WWII. Critics praise its lyrical prose and deep emotional resonance. However, some found its pacing slow and its ending ambiguous. Overall, the novel is celebrated for its hauntingly beautiful storytelling and rich character development.
A reader who enjoys To Siberia by Per Petterson would likely appreciate introspective, character-driven narratives with a strong sense of place and melancholy, much like those found in W.G. Sebald's Austerlitz or Marilynne Robinson's Gilead. Ideal for fans of contemplative literary fiction with historical undertones.
2,377 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
252
Novel • Fiction
Denmark • 1930s
1996
Adult
18+ years
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