The engrossing epic novel–a #1 bestseller in Norway–of a young woman whose fate plays out against her village’s mystical church bells As long as people could remember, the stave church’s bells had rung over the isolated village of Butangen, Norway. Cast in memory of conjoined twins, the bells are said to ring on their own in times of danger. In 1879, young pastor Kai Schweigaard moves to the … Schweigaard moves to the village, where young Astrid Hekne yearns for a modern life. She sees a way out on the arm of the new pastor, who needs a tie to the community to cull favor for his plan for the old stave church, with its pagan deity effigies and supernatural bells. When the pastor makes a deal that brings an outsider, a sophisticated German architect, into their world, the village and Astrid are caught between past and future, as dark forces come into play.
Lars Mytting, bestselling author of Norwegian Wood, brings his deep knowledge of history, carpentry, fishing, and stave churches to this compelling historical novel, an international bestseller sold in 12 countries. With its broad-canvas narrative about the intersection of religion, superstition, and duty, The Bell in the Lake is an irresistible story of ancient times and modern challenges, by a powerful international voice.
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I absolutely loved this suspenseful, historical literary novel from bestselling international author Lars Mytting. Rarely have I read such an atmospheric, thoroughly researched, intelligently plotted novel as this one. If a few pages lose your attention when the book switches to some German architectural talk, you will be fully captivated by the rural Norwegian setting of Butangen, 1880. Three main characters weave the mystical, folkloric story together: Astrid Hekne, Pastor Kai Schweigaard, and architect Gerhard Schonauer.
I don’t think this author has any flaws. His characters are fully developed and fulfill their imaginative roles without being false at any time. His setting is rich with details and knowledge of the community he comes from. And his expertise in the history of Norwegian craft and woodwork comes through in this plot and novel. I loved reading about stave churches and their place in the lives of the Norwegian communities, and their mixing of pagan and Christian rituals.
At no point did I feel as if Mytting’s research was overdone, nor was it too lacking. Each little historical fact is introduced with precision and enlightens and delights the reader.
Mytting’s writing borders on the humanistic without going overboard. We get the feel of the harshness and primitiveness of Norway in 1880 without being disgusted, and while the discussion of midwifery and child-birthing is brutal and disturbing, it highlights the miracle of birth and honors the role of women as both the deliverer and the patient.
I also loved learning about the Norwegian attitude toward the poor and citizens with special needs. How the poor are taken in and taken care of, and those with special needs are almost revered as being closer to god or the spirits.
I wish this author had gotten a better cover, more worthy of the beauty that is in this novel. It would probably sell even more copies. Maybe they will do a paperback and it will generate more interest. This book deserves more attention in the US historical community. Its Sister Bells will long resonate.
What a fascinating, moving historical fiction novel! “The Bell in the Lake” was an interesting story mixed with a complicated love story, that had me completely captivated. The author, Lars Mytting, creates scenes with vivid descriptions; plunging me into a secluded Norwegian village during 1880. The novel was splendidly unique; learning a bit of history about stave churches to surprising superstitions and folklore of those times. Even some Swedish and German dialect gave the story some verity.
The Pastor of a seven-hundred year old stave church needs to make daring changes, but in the quaint Norwegian village it is a difficult challenge. The two-centuries-old twin bells of the church are believed to hold supernatural powers; they were forged in memory of conjoined twin sisters, whose family still resides in the village. How will the villagers react when a German architect arrives to sketch and record the church?
I was thoroughly impressed by the writing-style and research of Lars Mytting. “The Bell in the Lake” is a hauntingly beautiful story that I will be thinking about for a while. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it if you are interested in a different type of historical fiction novel.
~This novel was given to me through a Goodreads giveaway by Abrams Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.~
The Bell in the Lake by Lars Mytting is an excellent historical fiction that has been translated from this amazing Norwegian author for our reading pleasure.
I will leave the synopsis to the reader instead of rehashing those details.
To me, this book encompasses so many things. It is part historical fiction, part coming of age, part folklore and mysticism, and part legend to create a story so rich and deep that it truly invoked all of my senses. The descriptions by the author of the location, landscapes, rituals, behaviors, and customs was breathtaking. I literally felt as if I stepped back in time and flew across an ocean to Norway. Very impressive. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I am disappointed that I am late to the table.
As with any pivotal time of change, antagonizing themes present themselves. A village in Norway in the late 1800s that is teetering on the edge of modern civilization. The push/pull of history, “how things have always been”, customs, folklore, superstitions, and “a place for every thing and every one” against the inevitable trickle of modern culture, industrialism, societal role transitions, and the changes that go along with these alterations rocks this community as it has many others. The difficulties separating religion from mysticism, legend, paganism, and lore is also a fundamental conundrum that these villagers are faced with when a new pastor, Kai, relocates to the area and brings with him ideas of updating from old by selling the old stave church with its sister bells to a new modern concept. Young Astrid is a woman well before her time, caught in her own hopes and dreams, and the expectations of old. My heart went out to her. There are many inter twining stories that are also present that add to the continued theme of past vs future and the repercussions for all involved with those decisions. This all creates a wonderfully, rich story that is special, unique, and unforgettable.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and ABRAMS/The Overlook Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.