O poveste

by Jonas T. Bengtsson

Un tata mai degraba grunge strabate Danemarca in ultima parte a secolului trecut, impreuna cu fiul sau de nici zece ani, caruia ii spune in fiecare seara fragmente dintr-o poveste amintind de Hans Christian Andersen. Cei doi sunt fugari, tatal se ascunde, traieste din expediente, nu-si trimite copilul la scoala, pare sa-si condamne fiul la o viata absurda – si, cu toate acestea, relatia celor doi e mai adevarata si mai stransa, in halucinanta ei complexitate, decat a multor familii fericite care respecta regulile. Anarhist, spirit rebel, artist, nomad, cu izbucniri violente inexplicabile, dar si cu o delicatete si o intelepciune din alta lume, tatal din acest roman e un personaj care nu poate fi uitat si a carui mostenire il va transforma pe fiul lui intr-un adult incapabil sa traiasca superficial si burghez, incapabil sa se lase domesticit pana la capat. Il marcheaza pentru totdeauna cu semnul tragic al strainului. Asa cum bunicul ipocrit, predicator rigid si pervers, isi marcase la randul lui fiul. Jonas T. Bengtsson s-a nascut in 1976 in Danemarca. A in 2005 romanul “Aminas Breve” (Scrisorile Aminei ), in 2008 romanul “Submarino” si in 2011 romanul “Et eventyr” (O poveste). Submarino a fost ecranizat de catre regizorul danez Thomas Vinterberg in 2010. Cartile sale au primit numeroase premii internationale, iar traducerea in engleza a romanului “O poveste” a fost excelent primita de critici si cititori.

Genres: Fiction, Danish, Contemporary, Denmark, Roman, Literary Fiction, Scandinavian Literature

370 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danish author...mostly takes place in and around Copenhagen- years 1986, 1989,
and 1999.
This is an incredibly powerful novel....engrossing....playing on your nerves unsettling.
Short chapters. I was constantly thinking about it between those times when I put the book down. Parts reminded me of John Irving’s books.... “A Prayer For Owen Meany” & “Until I Find You”....( both).
Author David Vann says...
“If Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’ offered an actual relationship instead of only an emptiness that readers fill, then it might approach Jonas Bengtsson’s “A Fairy Tale”.
I agree!

The story begins with the narrator being 6 years old. By 1999, he’s 16 years old...still the book’s narrator. He lives with his dad....who clearly loves him, smokes like a fiend.... obviously educated....is running from ‘something’ .....( they keep moving from one shabby apartment and town to another), and the dad takes on various manual labor jobs to get by. Dad also steals to get by....yet there is much we don’t know about his past.
At night the father tells the boy an ongoing FAIRY TALE about a King, a Prince, and the White Queen they plan to capture and kill. We figure out father and son must be King and Prince....but who the heck is the White Queen?
There are couple of shocking/ terrifying dramatic scenes...
THIS BOOK IS SO DARN FRESH. It rattles your brain - puzzles your thoughts - it’s disturbing - odd - eerie/ strange & mysterious. All the characters are damaged.
Tension is always right under the surface and building.....to the very end!!!!

An unusual love story - twists - suspense - secrets -
........a little boy drew pictures and wanted to go to school, and have a library card.... sooooo much is soooo heartbreaking touching too!!!
Phenomenal coming-of-age- journey!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!! NOT A COOKIE CUTTER NOVEL AT ALL!!!!

[Friederike Knabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fairy Tale , Jonas T. Bengtsson's recently translated novel, is a love story of a very special kind: the love between father and son. It is a story of trust, loyalty and deep connections in the face of whatever obstacles might stand in the way of happiness. And there are a few of those as we slowly discover. Bengtsson's writing kept me engrossed in the story from the beginning to the end. A Fairy Tale is also a remarkable and astounding coming of age story, imagined with deep understanding for the boy and empathy and compassion for the father. Set primarily in and around Copenhagen, Bengtsson creates a physical reality that is an ever present backdrop yet also shows touches of a fairy tale.

Told in the voice of the boy - six years old at the novel's beginning - we quickly become more than mere observers of the boy's account of daily life. Through the short chapters we celebrate with boy in his delight in just being with his father, the small presents, his astute observation of people, and we feel for him when his dad packs their bags again, often at the spur of the moment to move to yet another apartment or room in another neighbourhood. Each time they have to leave something behind, he muses. At night the boy eagerly awaits for the father to continue the story about the King and his prince and how they, yet again, escaped from the invisible White Men who are sent by the cruel White Queen to capture them…

Father and son are living an unsettled life at the fringes of Danish society: the father survives by taking on odd jobs for a while, always mindful of the safety needs of his son. Sometimes they stay longer, in a nicer place and people, who appear to have known the father in the past, support and help in smaller or larger ways… but then they have to leave again and hide. For the son his father is the only anchor in his young life; his love for him and trust in his actions are unconditional. The boy asks to go to school but is patient to wait until the time is right while learning with the father in the meantime. One way to cope with loneliness when the father is at work or to build his own world from what he experiences and not necessarily understands is to draw. Drawing will carry him into his young adulthood…

As time passes – a couple of years in fact – we increasingly worry about will happen to the two of them. What is the dad's back-story? Why is he on the run if he is? What is the symbolism of the White Queen, the old villa with the wild garden and the old lady? Whatever happened to the mother? Bengtsson builds the tension gradually and convincingly and one day, out of the blue, something dramatic happens that changes everything… Later on, the now teenage boy has to finally confront the questions he was not able - or willing - to ask his father as a child. He will have to decide where to go from that point onward. What an extraordinarily powerful novel! There is much to think about in our relationships with our children and grandchildren, societies' conventions and family's hidden secrets. [Friederike Knabe]

[Кремена Михайлова · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ужасно силна приказка.

Той, Той (и другите):

„Стискам здраво татко за ръка и ме е страх да не остана сам.“
„Не отмествам очи от татко. Докато го наблюдавам, нищо няма да му се случи.“
„Защо не опиташ да ни нарисуваш, докато сме на сцената.“
„Нищо не споменавам пред татко, той трябва да си мисли, че съм щастлив.“
„Надявам се да останем по-дълго тук.“
„Нито един не се надсмя.“
„Не всичко красиво е хубаво.“
„Аз бях поляк едно време.“
„Нашият нов дом.“
„Камю има право, по-лесно се гладува, когато слънцето грее – заявява татко.“

И
Копенхаген:

„Навсякъде по улиците и пейките има голи до кръста мъже, а момичетата се пекат на одеяла в парка. Всички искат да се възползват от последните слънчеви лъчи.“

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the first half of this novel. The imagery and storytelling is reminiscent of the best fabulist/magical realist writing. The father-son relationship is intense and moving. I couldn't stop reading. However, I was less enamoured with the last half of the book, primarily because of a shift in the narrative style. While the shift is absolutely logical and necessary for the story, and the tension is maintained in the plot, I was disappointed to lose the magic of that earlier section. Still, a very moving story, and well worth the time. The translation is excellent.

[Cristians. Sirb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Titlul în românește: “O poveste”.
O excelentă lucrătură de minimalism “nordic” (nu știu sigur de ce o numesc astfel; nu știu nici de când nordic e sinonim cu minimal; știu doar că aș vrea să citesc neobosit romane scrise în modul asta & că-s sătul de textualisme românești ori străine). Cât timp totul poate fi redactat în fraze simple, naturale, și, astfel, cu un impact înzecit...

[“Textualiștii practică o literatură autoreferențială: textul nu mai are ca referent lumea, ci se autooglindește pe sine, în procesul propriei lui plăsmuiri. Elaborarea textului (textualizarea) este concepută ca o operațiune care "nimicește" lucrurile, transformându-le în semne, dar este și o autonimicire a producătorului de text.”]

Mai vreau nordici! Să vină la mine!

https://edituraunivers.ro/produs/o-po...

[Friederike Knabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A FAIRY TALE, Jonas T. Bengtsson's recently translated novel, is a love story of a very special kind: the love between father and son. It is a story of trust, loyalty and deep connections in the face of whatever obstacles might stand in the way of happiness. And there are a few of those as we slowly discover. Bengtsson's writing kept me engrossed in the story from the beginning to the end. A FAIRY TALE, is also a remarkable and astounding coming of age story, imagined with deep understanding for the boy and empathy and compassion for the father. Set primarily in and around Copenhagen, Bengtsson creates a physical reality that is an ever present backdrop yet also shows touches of a fairy tale.

Told in the voice of the boy - six years old at the novel's beginning - we quickly become more than mere observers of the boy's account of daily life. Through the short chapters we celebrate with the boy in his delight in just being with his father, the small presents, his astute observation of people, and we feel for him when his dad packs their bags again, often at the spur of the moment to move to yet another apartment or room in another neighbourhood. Each time they have to leave something behind, he muses. At night the boy eagerly awaits for the father to continue the story about the King and his prince and how they, yet again, escaped from the invisible White Men who are sent by the cruel White Queen to capture them...

Father and son are living an unsettled life at the fringes of Danish society: the father survives by taking on odd jobs for a while, always mindful of the safety needs of his son. Sometimes they stay longer, in a nicer place and people, who appear to have known the father in the past, support and help in smaller or larger ways... but then they have to leave again and hide. For the son his father is the only anchor in his young life; his love for him and trust in his actions are unconditional. The boy asks to go to school but is patient to wait until the time is right while learning with the father in the meantime. One way to cope with loneliness when the father is at work or to build his own world from what he experiences and not necessarily understands is to draw. Drawing will carry him into his young adulthood...

As time passes - a couple of years in fact - we increasingly worry about will happen to the two of them. What is the dad's back-story? Why is he on the run if he is? What is the symbolism of the White Queen, the old villa with the wild garden and the old lady? Whatever happened to the mother? Bengtsson builds the tension gradually and convincingly and one day, out of the blue, something dramatic happens that changes everything... Later on, the now teenage boy has to finally confront the questions he was not able - or willing - to ask his father as a child. He will have to decide where to go from that point onward. What an extraordinarily powerful novel! There is much to think about in our relationships with our children and grandchildren, societies' conventions and family's hidden secrets.

[yexxo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein kleiner Junge erzählt von seinem gemeinsamen Leben mit seinem Vater. Es ist nicht einfach, dieses Leben, weder für den Jungen noch für den Vater. Ständige Umzüge, immer wieder drastischer Geldmangel - aber der Junge ist trotzdem glücklich, denn er liebt seinen Vater über alle Maßen. Und wird von ihm ebenso geliebt. Doch dann passiert etwas Unvorstellbares - und alles ändert sich.
Es ist ein Geheimnis um den Vater, der vor wem auch immer auf der Flucht zu sein scheint. Als der Junge alt genug ist, macht er sich auf dieses Geheimnis zu lösen und damit auch seinen eigenen Weg zu finden.
Ein ungewöhnliches Leben wird hier erzählt: Der Vater ist anspruchslos, ausreichend zu Essen und Trinken und ein Dach über dem Kopf ist genug. Dafür ist er unabhängig, niemandem verpflichtet außer seinem Sohn. Trotz seiner außerordentlichen Fähigkeiten ist er sich für keine Arbeit zu schade, aber wenn es ihm nicht passt, geht er. Frei von jeglichem Konsumterror leben beide oft in überaus ärmlichen Verhältnissen, doch der Vater lehrt seinen Jungen, dass dies kein Mangel ist. Sie haben sich und das Leben und sind frei, zu tun was sie wollen.
Der Roman wird vollständig aus der Sicht des Jungen erzählt, beginnend im Alter von sechs Jahren. Es sind recht kurze Abschnitte, meist nur zwei bis vier Seiten lang, die Momente, Situationen, Ereignisse schildern, die sich dem Jungen eingeprägt haben. Die Sprache ist kindgerecht, ohne jedoch jemals kindisch oder einfältig zu werden und so entsteht ein Gefühlt der Unmittelbarkeit, als ob man dem Jungen direkt zuhören würde. Je älter der Junge wird, umso erwachsener wird auch seine Sprache, aber das geschieht so unauffällig, dass es kaum auffällt.
Ein sehr eindringlicher Roman, der vieles in der Schwebe lässt, dafür aber den eigenen Gedanken und Vorstellungen genügend Möglichkeiten bietet. Oder vielleicht auch einer Fortsetzung…

[Diana Stoyanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Приказка" е дълбока и искрена история, разказана от позицията на едно дете, превръщащо се в млад мъж. Тя носи точно тази красива детска прямота в себе си, въпреки че докосва доста сериозни теми.
Романът ни превежда по пътя на възмъжаването на главния герой при доста нетрадиционни обстоятелства, винаги на път, в търсене на своята идентичност.
Цялата творба е пропита от чистата и безусловна любов на момчето към своя баща, въпреки всичко.

Книгата сякаш наподобява поредица от случки, описани в някаква последователност и отчасти свързани помежду си, като дневник, в който някой си записва важните неща и събития от живота, за спомен.
Историята е едновременно разпокъсана и подредена, изпълнена с много меланхолия и дълбаеща във вътрешния свят на главния герой--Питър/ Мехмет.

" Приказка" носи силен емоционален заряд и е толкова истинска, човечна и непринудена, че ти влиза под кожата. Това е една прекрасна сплав между суровата действителност и въображението, между мистерията и реалността.
Финалът е многозначителен, отворен, и оставя доста въпроси и вратички след себе си, както и много възможности за интерпретация.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strange story, and I'm not quite sure what to make of it. Set in Denmark - though it could really be anywhere - it begins in 1986 when the narrator, later identified as Peter, is six years old. As the years of his peculiar childhood pass, we experience an unorthodox life through the confused view of a small boy with only one anchor in the whole world: his father. They move from place to place, as if running from someone (or something), yet even within that context his father is unusual. He gets things for free, just by asking. Peter's only friend is not quite right, and yet everything seems fairly normal to him, until the day when everything changes.

As I read, I realized that I had no idea where it was going. Like Peter's life, everything seemed open-ended, everything and anything possible, and the ending totally unexpected.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching and elegantly written coming-of-age tale, this compelling novel tells of the relationship between a troubled father and his small son. In spite of the father’s evident love for the son and his best efforts to bring him up, some damage in the father’s past makes him increasingly unable to do so. The story is narrated by the boy and we see his world through his eyes, and only gradually is the whole story revealed. More a series of vignettes than a sustained narrative, the book captures moments and episodes in the pair’s life and it’s not always an easy read, both emotionally and because the reader has to work hard to read between the lines. Personally I preferred the earlier part of the book, and found the boy as adolescent harder to relate to. However the end of the book seemed to bring all the threads together and I found it more convincing and moving. All in all, this is a wonderful and original piece of writing that resonates and lingers long in the reader’s mind.

[Agathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, well written, touching and inspiring. It was hard putting the book down once finished... Haunting.

[Jane from B.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a father and son tale and of coming of age story.
4.5 stars

The boy (we never know his real name) tells this tale in first person present tense. It give the reader a sense of immediacy when reading.

The tale begins in 1986, our young narrator is only six years old and he and his father are on the move again. They move frequently from place to place, taking few possessions with them. There is no formal schooling for the boy yet the father institutes his own kind of school when he can. The father does odd jobs to provide for his son. They live on the fringes of society interacting with some unsavoury characters along the way. Paternal devotion to the boy is seen through the son's eyes. Gradually over time the son discovers things about his father.

Due to the way the story is told, there is never any self-reflection done on the part of the boy. There is not any exposition through mental grappling to help the reader understand events. Things are revealed gradually when the boy is older through his actions. I am reluctant to say more about the story as it will spoil the novel. It is a 'slow burn' story with layers gradually coming to light and there are things the reader must infer about events as they are not spelled out by our protagonist.

[Buffone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told from a child's and, later on, young adult's perspective is the story about a father and his son, who lead a strange life, permanently on the run, staying anonymously in alternating accomodations. The son accepts the nomadic circumstances without contradiction, he doesn't attend school, but instead is taught by his father in a very unconventional way. The son doesn't seem to miss much, because of the unconditional, protecting and liberating love his father shows towards him, regardless of the fact that they are complete outsiders to society.
The father himself, his background and his motives, though, stay an enigma. He becomes visible only by his daily conduct, and without doubt therein one can find many reasons, why a child might be enclined to love and adore him.
The narrative hits you like a fist with a simple and unpretentious language, by which the author is capable to turn a leisurely meandering river into rapids.
In the center shines the boundless affection between father and son, which continuously defys the imprints and standardization of society.
Nevertheless it is a sad story which hardly makes you laugh, but rather wonder about the conundrums life puts in front of us to go through.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonas T. Bengttson’s ‘The Fairytale’ is the most beautiful and poignant story of the love between a boy and his dad. It is a moving tribute to that indefinable bond that defies words and yet is so deeply meaningful. The fragility of our very own humanness seeps through the pages as we navigate Peter... Mehmet’s life from childhood to young adulthood... and the curveballs that he must manage on the way.

I think what is so beautiful in this story is the absolute innocent love that a boy has for his father and the reciprocity of this love. There’s a purity here that is rare, as a boy looks up to his dad who can do no wrong in his eyes, yet is clearly wrestling with his own demons which he doesn’t seem to realise himself. In the first half of the book we feel the absolute richness of this love to the point that yes it does seem a little bit unreal. And then the reality of the unreality hits home and lives are irrevocably altered.

Fast forward a few years and we see how time and events change trajectories yet love is unwavering. The tragic ending left me speechless yet in a way I wasn’t surprised. It is beautiful, touching, poignant and mesmerising. 5 stars absolutely.

[Aleksandra Jankowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

kurka smutna :(

[Chrystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Just finished A Fairy Tale by Jonas Bengtsson. Profoundly moving. Had to remind myself to breathe after turning the last page."

I wrote that two days ago. The story was too fresh for me, the feelings too raw, to write more. Here's the rest....

The events that unfold in the story are told from the son's point of view, from the time he is six through to age 19. Later parts in the novel gave me the sense of the story going nowhere; but primarily, of a life only borne not lived. Other parts, earlier in the boy's life, are joyful, playful, and adventurous for both father and son.

The bond between the two appears to be unbreakable, no matter what may come.

No book before this has helped me understand how powerful and crucial can be the connection between a father and his son. The love and protection this father feels for his son moved me deeply. That said, the son's love for and tremendous pride in his father, while less fierce in intensity, is no less evident, nor any less steadfast and pure.

Did later events - and the life the two led as now seen from an adult perspective - tarnish the son's affection and pride for his father? In my view, no, and nothing that happened subsequent to those early, intense, crucial, formative years of their relationship could have.

Due to that early, loving bond, as the father protected his son, so would the son protect his father.

EDITED May 2/16: Changed rating from 4 to 5 stars. Can't count the number of times over the past two years that I've thought about this book.

[Aaron (Typographical Era) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you think that modern day fairy tales aren’t big business, think again. Recently it was reported that Disney’s horribly pointless animated picture Frozen has banked over 1 billion dollars in worldwide ticket sales. That impossible-to-comprehend number only takes into account the people who paid to plop their asses (and presumably their kids asses…we hope) into a movie theater seat. Imagine what happens when you add in the revenue earned from the sale of pay-per-view rentals, DVD/Blu-Ray discs, toys, band-aids, fruit snacks, lunch boxes, video games, etc.

All that combines to make a pretty nice happily ever after for Disney, but what are we really teaching our children with these bizarre tales about locking away anyone that’s special or different from the rest of the world (Tangled, Frozen), purposely inflicting magical head wounds on young girls so they won’t remember their pasts (Frozen) or poisoning your parents until they get so frightened of you that they have no choice but to acquiesce to your demands (Brave)? Perhaps the point is that a little suffering is required in order to reach that promised peak of perpetual bliss, but who are we to even guarantee them such an unattainable thing in the first place and why are we letting our young ones, especially our girls, go so bat-shit princess crazy?

READ MORE:
http://www.typographicalera.com/a-fai...

[Nell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads First Reads.

A book that warms the heart only to break it slowly, A Fairy Tale is impossible to put down. Beautifully written in understated prose Bengtsson toys with the readers emotions as he arranges his characters in different situations. Each situation is memorable and lovable for its individuality and whimsy. Almost shocking at first the portrayal of 'Peter' as an adult reflecting on his childhood instills in the reader a deep sense of nostalgia. With this reflection comes a different perspective and forces the reader to come to terms with the harshness of reality as overlooked by the naïve story telling of the first half. Jonas Bengtsson has delivered a truly delightful tale of both the rewards and perils of deep running relationships- if only it had been translated sooner!

[Bosorka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zvláštně poutavý příběh chlapce v různých érách života. Nejvíc se mi líbila první část, kde Petr je malý kluk a se svým otcem je na neustálé cestě. Autor nám dává tušit, že něco není zcela v pořádku. Očima malého chlapce dění sice sledujeme, ale mnohokrát se můžeme pouze domnívat. Bengtsson nepředkládá vše na zlatém podnose, mluví ke čtenáři v alegoriích, nechá ho si domýšlet. Pečlivě údernými krátkými větami, které naopak příběhu dodávají na realističnosti, ho však nenápadně směřuje k poznání. Po přečtení zůstává v hlavě tak trochu otázka, je to opravdu tak, jak si já myslím? A jak to bude dál s hlavním hrdinou, který se vlastně od cesty udané jeho otcem, nikdy neodklonil?

[Izabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Unique and set in three parts. Told in a series of vignettes from the point of view of a boy who, first is in the care of his father - always on the run - and later as the boy starts to come I to his own as a teen and young adult. Confused and honest, but something about it felt lacking at the end - as if rushed. Nonetheless, very interesting how the story is told with a narrative voice that is detached and unemotional irrespective of what it is describing be it loneliness, love, anger or loss. A worthwhile read. An excellent book.

[RYO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure and naive in the first half, secluded and veiled in the last. I felt hurt for the boy. He's had only his father to trust since he was only 6 years old. His father was as good as he could have been, it seemed. He was never harsh. He was gentle and giving unlike his own father was to him. A sad sad story. But, I guess the boy's sort of grown up to become a painter and may have a chance in Germany... The ending sounded sad, but with a little hope. Just the way I like it.

[Rikke Aaroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fængslende. På een gang intens og vidtstrakt. Ca. en trediedel inde i historien får fortælleren navn, som han senere skifter efter dramatisk ændring af hans liv. Både fascinerende, tankevækkende og også lidt uforløst at dramaet ikke forklares helt.

[Corey Lansdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was crushed by this book. Very powerfully written. It took me 3 weeks to pick it up again after one part. But I'm glad I did and pushed through to the end. Very wonderfully paced. Told from a perspective I think many of us can relate to.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange when you start reading it, amazing when you've finished

[Marion Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I was 'enjoying' this - very intense book to read but such a compelling story that I read til midnight last night!

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual, rather sad and ultimately haunting story about a father and son trying to survive in a world that is often hostile and alien. A dark fairy tale that has its demons and doesn't promise a happy ending.

"My eyes are still wet; I wipe them on my sleeve. I’ve never wanted to stay in a place as much as this. We could smash all the clocks. Break every mirror so the old lady would never have to look at herself. We could stay here until my hair was just as long as my dad’s, until I could grow a beard like his. We could drive around in the black old car, go shopping, but never buy a newspaper. No one would ever find us here. This is the first place we’ve lived where I haven’t been woken up by my dad’s nightmares."

[Zainab Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fairy Tale is a uniquely ambiguous story that delves into dark and challenging themes, including the unconventional and troubled relationship between the protagonist, and his father. The narrative style is engaging and has certain quirks like unnamed characters who are unconventional and flawed with unusual lifestyle and choices. The story also leaves certain aspects open to interpretation, and the ending, in particular, may be seen as ambiguous.
As a reader who prefers more definitive conclusions, I did find the ending less satisfying despite the surprise twist. All in all, it was a great book, I just wish I had been given more closure or a clearer trajectory for the characters' lives.

[Susanne Rust-Dröge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine ganz schön schräge Geschichte, ich bin ehrlich und weiß eigentlich nicht genau wie ich diesen Roman einsortieren soll, Fakt ist aber, ich konnte ihn nicht aus der Hand legen, auch wenn diese Geschichte sehr sprunghaft erzählt wird.

[Adri266 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je zaujimava, to sa neda odopriet. Zaujimava v tom, ze chcete vediet, co sa deje, preco sa chlapec schovava s otcom, co ich prinutilo. Chcete vediet, preco pan v inej izbe chce spachat samovrazdu, preco je pre otca lahke presviedcat ludi urobit to, co chce on. Najprv som si myslela, ze ma paranormalne schopnosti :slight_smile: A niektore odpovede v knihe najdete, a niektore nie.
Napriek ruzovej farbe obalu /velmi zaujimava volba/ a napriek nazvu knihy to nie je optimisticke dielo, ale zanecha vo vas hlboky dojem.
A uz len jedna malickost, ani u jedneho autora som si doteraz nevsimla, aby tolko pisal o chodeni na zachod ako tu :grinning: Neviem, aky symbol v tom autor videl, ale ok.

[Karsten Vestergaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

”Et eventyr” var en bog, der fangede mig fra starten. Den handler om en far og hans lille dreng (ved romanens begyndelse er han seks år gammel), der flytter fra sted til sted, mens de omhyggeligt sørger for at holde sig fri af det omkringliggende samfund – skiftende navne, ingen ansættelseskontrakter, ingen lånekort, intet sygesikringsbevis.

Faderen og drengen er på flugt, men hvorfor og fra hvad? Hvor drengens mor? Det ved man ikke som læser. Historien ses igennem drengens øjne, og også for ham er faderens motiver uklare – det er bare sådan deres liv er.

Det er et rigtigt godt udgangspunkt for en roman, for historien er både et mysterium, der giver en lyst til at læse videre, og samtidig er det en fortælling man bliver grebet af, fordi den vækker modsætningsfyldte følelser i en – det er med tiltagende uro, at man følger hvordan faderen leder barnet ind i det rodløse liv, han har valgt for dem begge, men Bengtsson kontrasterer billedet, ved at lade ham være en god forælder for drengen – omsorgsfuld, nærværende og interesseret.

Det er præmissen i ”Et eventyr” og jeg føler det kunne have udviklet sig til en virkelig gribende historie – det sker bare ikke.

Som historien skrider frem forventer man, at man får en indsigt i hvorfor personerne handler som de gør, og det er her Bengtsson taber fortællingen. Der er noget med, at faderen har været udsat for et eller andet overgreb fra sin egen far, men de psykologiske mellemregninger mangler, og resultatet er, at man mister fornemmelsen og interessen for personerne, især faderen. Hvorfor blev tingene som de gjorde? Svaret står ikke klart for hverken hovedpersonen eller læseren.

Undervejs introduceres adskillige bipersoner, der har det til fælles, at de er en del af drengens liv et stykke tid, hvorefter de forsvinder igen, ofte abrupt og uden at de har bidraget med ret meget til historien.

”De er med til at tegne billedet af en rodløs, omflakkende hovedperson” vil Jonas T. Bengtsson givetvis indvende, og det kan der også godt være noget om. Jeg vil dog fastholde, at de står og blafrer halvt inde, halvt ude af historien.