Scan barcode
A review by jmatkinson1
The Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting
5.0
Since his parents died under mysterious circumstances Edvard has lived with his Grandfather Sverre on a remote farm in Norway. Shunned by the local villagers due to his wartime record Sverre is a recluse, but when he dies a beautiful coffin arrives, apparently from his estranged brother Einar. Einar was supposedly killed in the second world war but there seem to be links to Edvard's past and he decides to go investigate the truth. This journey takes him from Norway to Shetland and on to France, an exploration of horrors from two wars and love and betrayal both past and present.
To try to place this book into a genre is very difficult as it spans so many. There are elements of a thriller, a romance, an historical novel and also literary fiction, all of these combine to a wonderful narrative. The overwhelming themes are of love and loss, all the characters are passionate about something but the truth means different things to each. Whilst very sad in places I also felt a real sense of optimism, particularly in the ending which goes against the grain for plot development but felt completely right given the tone of the book
To try to place this book into a genre is very difficult as it spans so many. There are elements of a thriller, a romance, an historical novel and also literary fiction, all of these combine to a wonderful narrative. The overwhelming themes are of love and loss, all the characters are passionate about something but the truth means different things to each. Whilst very sad in places I also felt a real sense of optimism, particularly in the ending which goes against the grain for plot development but felt completely right given the tone of the book