ariel790's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Totally a story of a boy becoming a man.
In The Sixteen Trees of the Somme, it begins with Edvard Hirifjell stuck in tragedy. He's resigned himself to living exactly as his Grandfather, Bestefar, had because it is what is familiar and comfortable for him. It's kept him safe ever since his parents died at the age of 3. At least until his grandfather's death... then he begins to uncover all the secrets of his family that were hidden from him. Edvard then has to make the choice to live as he always has, or pull at the threads and unravel what has always been bothering him just underneath the surface. He decides to dig.. obviously or otherwise we'd have no story at all.
Lars Mytting has a special touch when it comes to his writing. Lars makes you feel as if you are right there with the characters. You discover the past through Edvard's memories, as he comes upon places or things that trigger those memories. In doing so, it pulls you into his grief. I think I was rooting more for Edvard to leave his potato farm and uncover his truth way before he resigned himself to it. In the end, I was happy that Edvard discovers what he needed to know. He's definitely better off for it. All questions end up answered; Lars left no stone unturned.
I very much enjoyed this book. Highly recommend for anyone into mystery or looking for a very character driven story.
In The Sixteen Trees of the Somme, it begins with Edvard Hirifjell stuck in tragedy. He's resigned himself to living exactly as his Grandfather, Bestefar, had because it is what is familiar and comfortable for him. It's kept him safe ever since his parents died at the age of 3. At least until his grandfather's death... then he begins to uncover all the secrets of his family that were hidden from him. Edvard then has to make the choice to live as he always has, or pull at the threads and unravel what has always been bothering him just underneath the surface. He decides to dig.. obviously or otherwise we'd have no story at all.
Lars Mytting has a special touch when it comes to his writing. Lars makes you feel as if you are right there with the characters. You discover the past through Edvard's memories, as he comes upon places or things that trigger those memories. In doing so, it pulls you into his grief. I think I was rooting more for Edvard to leave his potato farm and uncover his truth way before he resigned himself to it. In the end, I was happy that Edvard discovers what he needed to know. He's definitely better off for it. All questions end up answered; Lars left no stone unturned.
I very much enjoyed this book. Highly recommend for anyone into mystery or looking for a very character driven story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Kidnapping, Incest, War, and Animal death
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