A review by kimgabriel
The Cold Song: A Novel by Linn Ullmann, Linn Ullmann

2.0

Nordic Noir can be pretty tough slogging but it is usually leavened by the mystery. This is Nordic Noir without the mystery. Which means it is just a tough slog. I am not of the school that believes I have to "relate" to the characters in a novel nor am I the least put off if I can't "identify" with them. It isn't like I am looking to join a social club or start a family. But I do need to feel something for them other than shock and awe at their gobsmacking dysfunction. I have to feel that there is a "take away"--something that has attached to some of the velcro pieces in my head or heart or gut. That clings. That I can pull out at some later time on purpose to re examine or that seems to nudge loose of its own accord and comes to me at off hours for no good reason except it does. I can't say that that happened at all with this novel. The main characters, indeed nearly all of the characters, struck me as blighted. Off. Not right. There is no particular reason why they are so. I don't see any light at the end of this tunnel albeit I suspect that the ending is supposed to hint at some kind of possible redemption/salvation/transformation. Too little too late for me. Even the dog was depressed. What is the point of page after page of people suffering from anhedonia?