Bell in the Lake, The
Mytting, LarsAstrid Hekne is a woman ahead of her time. The twenty-year-old yearns for more than the life destined for her in the isolated Norwegian village of Butangen. Potential deliverance arrives in the form of an ambitious young pastor Kai Schweigaard, as well as Gerhard Schonauer, the German architecture student Kai engages to assist with his plans for replacing the local stave church.
But in 1880s Norway, superstition and old beliefs are not easily dismissed and the church's mystical Sister Bells must be given credence.
Based on real people and local legends, this is a lyrical and atmospheric story pitting the old ways against the new.
Pages
400
400
Year
2018
2018
Reviews
28-02-2024
A most enjoyable book about which the group had lots to say and discuss.
18-12-2023
Our group unanimously rated this book a 5 stars one. We discussed the fine story-telling (and superb translation), and the thoughtful interweaving of story/saga, folk law, faith, landscape/climate, characters, and craft.
23-11-2023
This was a success with everyone in the group, giving insights into a region unknown to us and what it means to live in such a harsh impoverished environment. And an excellent storyline.
15-11-2023
An extraordinary book combining history, fiction and fantasy. Atmospheric, with fully developed complex characters.
26-09-2023
The majority of our group really enjoyed this novel, its richness of characters, and settings beautifully drawn. A small number were unable to get fully involved in it.
26-09-2023
Evocative, atmospheric, gentle and descriptive were some of the comments from our group. The love of the land and its timelessness, despite the fight needed to survive its conditions is evident throughout. The skills of the old ways mourned in the face of modernity.
28-08-2023
Thoroughly enjoyed by nearly everyone. Fascinating, descriptive historical writing with characters brought to life by the author. Many are excited about reading the full trilogy.
21-08-2023
A lively conversation! A very bleak story, but saved with beautiful writing and strong characters.
16-08-2023
On the whole the book was enjoyed by most. Some struggled with the Norwegian names.
27-06-2023
50% - 50% on this one. Most felt the end was too rushed. All were obsessed with the twins, bells and staves - particularly the rich history.
15-06-2023
This book was simply beautiful and a story written with great care, and we all gave it 5 stars. All the characters were skilfully shaped and the history of the stave churches carefully related. The love story was so tender and rang true, with superstition woven in. A beautiful translation from the Norwegian to English. A stunning book. We are eagerly awaiting the rest of the trilogy.
14-06-2023
Quite a divided response from 'excellent' to 'wouldn't recommend', though in the end it scored better than the discussion would have suggested. There was no escaping the cold and gloom, but the history of Norwegian culture and growing impact of change in the late 19th century was really interesting for most of the group. The lyrical narrative was cleverly translated and the story was a good vehicle to describe those changes.
18-05-2023
Amazing descriptions of the cold, the characters, and the folklore the villagers still cling to. Led to a discussion about suicides where it is dark for so long in winter.
03-05-2023
Interesting. Loved the history, the culture, and the endurance of the people. Also learning about the construction and destruction of stave churches.
01-05-2023
All the group very much enjoyed this book. The quality of the translation was fantastic and we all want to read the next in the series.
26-04-2023
Some loved it while some didn't think much of it at all, so it provoked a lively discussion. Interesting historical description of ancient churches; and the cold and hunger were palpable.
20-04-2023
Some people in our group found this book difficult to get into. Two of us have travelled to Norway and have connections to the country, and we loved it.
28-03-2023
Instructive regarding Norway - absorbing plot. We were engaged in the story. An excellent novel well translated.
27-02-2023
Wonderful read - looking forward to the sequel!
02-02-2023
A well-written account covering history and folk lore along with credible characters - informative and enjoyable.
25-01-2023
Interesting discussion on reading the book. One member had her own photographs of a stave church and we discussed the influence on the community surrounding it in the book. It was fascinating to see how important the huge staves were to the shape of the church, the narrow portals and carvings. Further discussion from the searching questions re the characters, also the structure of the book over 3 stories.
23-11-2022
Generated good discussion, most found it a grim depiction of a harsh life. A few googled the history of these amazing churches, the few that are left. We enjoyed the development of the two main characters.
21-11-2022
Very mixed response to this book. Half the group loved it and the other half did not finish it.
15-09-2022
Most of us loved it, and could see the whole setting and characters in our mind's eye. We see a sequel, we see a film. I was in awe of the beautiful translation from Norwegian.
29-08-2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this story - so interesting about the stave churches and life in the village in Norway. Inspired to go and see the ones that are still standing - so sad. We enjoyed the author's writing.
29-08-2022
Our group loved this book. Great characters, fascinating history of stave churches, progress of the times, architecture and Norse folklore. Some of us have already read the sequel in the trilogy, 'The Reindeer Hunter'.
16-08-2022
Some in the group loved the story with the combination of Norse folklore, history, architecture and love story. A few others found it hard to start - bleak background with the 1880s setting and the bleak conditions. Some are keen to read the next book in the trilogy.
08-08-2022
We all enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the next in the trilogy. It was very interesting learning about life in Norway in the 19th century.
16-05-2022
Beautiful prose. Interesting insight into Norwegian history, told through a very engaging story. Wonderful.
22-10-2021
3 of us loved it, and found it riveting. The rest found it boring, and couldn't get into it!