Much has been said about Jo Nesbø’s writing, but he is a storyteller. In my opinion, that is, despite the objections I’ve been airing ever since the early Harry Hole books in the 90s. I’ve only rarely thought of him as an experimental stylist. This is not the case in “Natthuset” either. Nesbø tells a more or less fleshed-out story, he drives the reader ahead of him. For the record, in this book Harry is completely and utterly absent. What is this, then? There is something about this new book that makes the reader wonder from the beginning: What has Nesbø written this time? Horror novel? Horror, then? Well then, even for young people, it can seem like a long time. There is no clue to be found on the title page. But, of course it is a suspense novel. It is also divided into three. Then we readers get to see where the author takes us. In the center is a fourteen-fifteen-year-old boy, Richard Elauved. A strange surname, but it has its meaning and reason, we find out – eventually. He lives in Ballantyne, an apparently American small town in a forestry area. He came there after his parents died in a fire; he lives with his aunt and uncle. Richard is not popular, he is friendless. He has to make do with the other outcasts, such as the stuttering Tom and the overweight and effeminate Jack. The exception is Karen, a strong-willed girl who goes her own way. PANG DEBUT: The author Jo Nesbø came out with the first book about Harry Hole in 1997. The following year he won the Riverton Prize for “The Batman”. The gun is the actual trophy that was awarded to the winner. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB The phone booth – a murderous device “The Night House” opens in a phone booth as Richard persuades Tom to prank call a number chosen at random from the directory. He will invite the person on the other end to hell, where he belongs. Then it happens: The telephone receiver starts eating Tom up, sucking and slurping him up. First the ear, then fingers, forearm. Until Tom is gone and Richard is left alone again. If anyone believes him? Youth novel? A little realism, but a lot of picturesque, well-described horror, that is. And, as indicated, in the first part of the novel I read a horror story aimed at young people. In part two, things change, and the text becomes more adult. Then fifteen years have passed as Richard, with a new surname, returns to Ballantyne for a reunion at the old school. The linguistic transition is nicely done. And, right there, I will keep my mouth shut about further action, beyond the obvious: The book has a third part. The author plays with us Several times in recent years I have noticed, and amused myself a little, the ways in which Jo Nesbø adapts his stories to an international audience and makes them “American”. On one occasion, in a Harry Hole book a few years ago, he thus wrote about the administrative command lines in Oslo municipality as they might be in an American city. This time I almost wonder if Nesbø is messing with his readers, that he has had fun mixing these cards. For example, by referring to the local police chief as the “sheriff”. Which sounds so Norwegian that there is never so much jarring in the context. As if it was a slightly overzealous translation from American to Norwegian conditions. And, it’s not like that. I’m just noting, with a certain motherliness. Literary relatives Now there are other books (and films) that are based on similar basic ideas. Dennis Lehane’s film adaptation of the novel “Shutter Island” can be a fairly close example. For a reader who can handle the wildest improbabilities, the horror genre has its fairly obvious weaknesses. Thus there has long been a skepticism about my reading of “Natthuset”. Until my impatience gives way to the looming connection, while the book’s third part introduces the reader to more global themes. Heavy psychiatry, experimental treatment of schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. Fast read So the question is whether a landing in realistic orbits enhances or weakens this narrative? I’m simply not sure. The truth is that I plowed through the 220 pages at a fairly high pace. Only the wildest sequences in part two made me want to skim (I resisted). And, yes, the tension is there, at the same time that it points in several directions – nice enough. As part of Jo Nesbø’s writing, “Natthuset” is both unusual and original. He must also have the cred to bring remarkable facts into such a novel. When I came to the intensely swarming and red-eyed “magicada” insects, I had to let go of Google. They exist. news reviewer Photo: Aschehoug Title: “Natthuset” Author: Judith Hermann Genre: Fiction, novel, horror Publisher: Aschehoug Number of pages: 219 Date: 30/05/2023 Read more reviews of Jo Nesbø books:
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