Roy Jacobsen: THE BURNT-OUT TOWN OF MIRACLES

The setting of this novel is Finland during the war in 1939. When his neighbours abandon Suomussalmi village to fight the Russians, Timo, a woodcutter, insists that he'll stay. So he stays on and befriends the invading enemies. Since the whole story is told on the point of view of Timo, the reader misses out on the action in the battlefield.

The story is told in the manner a fable is told. The narrative is poetic. One can actually feel the coldness of the snowbound atmosphere and of the temper of the characters. This novel by the Norwegian author, Roy Jacobsen, was shortlisted in the 2007 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Prize.

Rating: 3.50/5.0

{20 July 2010}