Esta novela narra, con la sencillez característica de la mejor literatura nórdica, la vida de Tora, una niña nacida de la relación de una noruega y un soldado alemán durante la ocupación. Su infancia transcurre en un pequeño pueblo de Noruega, en la casa que da título al libro, donde sufrirá, por una parte, la ausencia de una madre con demasiadas ocupaciones y, por otra, los abusos de su padrastro. A pesar de toda esta hostilidad, Tora tiene las ilusiones propias de una niña de su edad, y gracias al cariño y la fuerza de su tía Rakel irá creciendo.
Más allá de narrar la infancia y la adolescencia de Tora, Wassmo nos plantea, desde la mirada de una mujer, una cuestión universal: el miedo, la vergüenza y el sentimiento de culpa que siente la víctima de una situación de abuso. Es una historia que irremediablemente nos llega al corazón, hace que nos sintamos cómplices de esta niña y quedemos expectantes de saber cómo será su vida.

Stark berättelse om att vara "tyskunge" i Norge efter kriget. Wassmo är en lysande berättare. ( )

This is a novel written in 1981 by Norwegian author, Herbjorg Wassmo. I learned about this book from the 1001 books to read before you die list, and I'm so glad I did. It is a tough subject matter, centering around a young girl who is being sexually abused by her stepfather, but Wassmo manages to make the book about so much more without negating the trauma of abuse.

Tora lives in a small Norwegian fishing village with her mother, Ingrid, who is a social outcast after having an affair with a German soldier during WWII. Tora is the outcome of that relationship. Ingrid later marries Henrik, a man who is an alcoholic and is sexually abusing Tora while her mother works the night shift at the local plant. The book centers around Tora, Ingrid, and Ingrid's sister Rachel. Rachel has a happy marriage to Simon. They are well off financially though have the sadness of not being able to conceive children.

The book is beautifully written and subtly but thoroughly explores several themes, many centering on women's interactions and relationships with each other, the good and the bad. Apparently this is the first of a trilogy, but I'm having trouble finding the other books in English translation. If anyone has any leads on that I'd be very interested. I bought this book used as I think even this first volume may be out of print in English.

Definitely recommended. ( )

Wassmo has long been one of my favorite authors and this novel - the first part of a trilogy - did not disappoint.

In the novel the young girl Tora lives a life in poverty, in a poor northern part of Norway. Her mother works hard to make ends meet and spends much time worrying, her stepfather abuses her, and the villagers do not really accept her because her father was a German soldier, stationed there during the second world war. Tora spends her life walking on tiptoes, trying not to get in anybody's way - but her attempts to stay out of harm's way actually bring her into the middle of it...

Wassmo's writing style is lovely. She has a way of describing things in a very vivid manner, making you feel like you are right there with the characters, without going into lengthy, literal descriptions. The flow of the language is beautiful and she manages to give a realistic and intense portrait of the small, northern village where Tora lives.
The characters in the novel are also very vivid and feel like people you know personally. It feels like you are inside Tora, living her life, experiencing what she is feeling. The characters surrounding Tora are also complex and worked out very well, giving the novel a very realistic feel.
Though the novel is quite sad, there are also many funny and touching moments, making it a very complete story.

I feel like it is a pity Wassmo is so little known outside of Norway - I think she is a great author that many readers would appreciate. ( )

This is the story of Tora, who lives with her mother and her abusive step father in a small village in Norway shortly after the Second World War. As she is the child of a German soldier, a lot of derision comes her way. Their circumstances are precarious, her stepfather is mostly out of work and her mother has to work night shifts at the fish factory. The situation is similar for most of the village.

The story is told from the point of view of the eleven year old Tora, who tries to make sense of the adult world around her and builds dream worlds in order to cope with the fear of her stepfather. The way the story is told is impressive and feels very authentic. The helplessness and shame, the inability to articulate, the surprise at finding kindness in others - these make for quite a heartbreaking tale. But the strength in Tora gives hope for the future and balances the tale.
( )