Plot and Events
This is Trond's age when the novel begins.
What is 67?
The novel's narrator.
Who is Trond Sander?
Through fragmented reflections between past and present, the novel explores this theme, something we all have and that places hold...
What is memory?
This is the country where the novel is set.
What is Norway?
The novel shifts between these two time periods, not necessarily the years, but between these two main timeframes in this character's life.
What is Trond's youth and his old age?
This major life event causes Trond to move to the cabin near the Swedish border.
Death of his wife/desire for solitude.
The childhood friend who deeply shapes Trond's memories of his summer.
Who is Jon?
One of the dominant feelings in Trond's adult life is also the thing that he seeks.
What is isolation/loneliness?
This neighboring country would be crossed into by resistance fighters during the war.
What is Sweden?
The novel is told in this narrative perspective.
What is first person?
This childhood activity was also a code during the Norwegian Resistance.
What is Out Stealing Horses?
This young boy is accidentally shot by his brother.
Who is Odd?
Trond's father teaches him this, as many parents do to their kids, but also its a theme that connects to ones individual decisions and the consequences they hold.
What is responsibility or moral accountability?
The village relied on secrecy, which was essential during this aspect of World War II, impacting nearly all of the citizens in Norway.
What is the German occupation?
During this global event, much of the background conflict is set.
What is World War II?
While Jon's mother attempts to escape with the man who turns up at their door, Franz is in charge of doing this.
What is blowing up the bridge?
He is the neighbor connected to Trond's past who "knows" who Trond is.
Who is Lars?
This physical and tangible element in the novel functions thematically as a refuge, reflection, and emotional mirror. All Trond has to do is close his eyes...
What is nature or the natural world?
What is Elverum?
The novel is divided into two sections, the first section holding this many chapters.
What is 9?
Jon's mother would row up the river to Barkald's farm, secretly delivering messages while publicly saying she was doing this...
What is cooking dinner/making "proper" meals?
A neighbor and family friend who tells Trond the story of his father and Jon's mother during the war.
Who is Franz?
A theme reinforced by Trond's repeated desire to be alone. Kent School also hopes to instill this as well...
What is self reliance/independence?
Throughout the course of the novel Trond mentions a type of geological landform that Norway is known for. He particularly thinks about the "bunne" version of this.
What is a fjord?
Per Petterson wrote this story originally in Norwegian until it was translated by this person.
Who is Anne Born?