Jernvognen

Gule roser #1

by Stein Riverton

Ved et lite øy-pensjonat nyter gjestene late sommerdager og lader opp til høsten. Men idyllen forvitrer umiddelbart da en mann blir funnet i den steikende solen - med hodet knust. Jernvognen tar utgangspunkt i et sagn om varslet død og viser hvordan fortellerens redsel setter seg inn og stadig vokser i kraft gjennom nesten hamsunske naturskildringer.


Jernvognen kom på andre plass i Dagbladets kåring av tidenes beste norske krim i 2009, hundre år etter utgivelsen.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Classics, Horror, Scandinavian Literature, Thriller

154 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

This pseudonym of Sven Elvestad (who changed his birth name of Kristoffer Elvestad Svendsen in order to start fresh after being caught embezzling from his employer) was used as the name of Norway's most prestigious crime ficton prize, the Riverton Prize. Born in 1884, he started his writing career as a journalist, turning later to stories about a detective based on police officers he had met, Asbjørn Krag. He also wrote crime stories about detective Knut Gribb under the name Kristian F. Biller, a series character who was later carried on by other authors. He died in 1934. One of his novels, Jernvognen (The Iron Chariot) was adapted by Jason as a graphic novel in 2003.

Reviews

[Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2023 choice for the mandatory Norwegian tradition of reading crime novels for Easter. Solid, if predictable, fun.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This classic mystery from Norway is over 100-years-old. I wasn't sure what to expect from it but I was curious so I thought 'Why not?', I'm glad I gave it a chance.

The story begins when a body is discovered on a remote vacation island in Norway. An enigmatic detective is called in to investigate and things proceed from there. The iron chariot of the title is part of a local legend, people seem to hear the noise of it - chains rattling and the like - whenever something mysterious or sinister occurs.

As told by the anonymous narrater (a guest vacationing on the island) the story takes on a standard Agatha Christie-type feel (though this author predates Christie's heroes)... guests staying in a somewhat remote location are visited by mystery and murder. The language naturally reflects the time in which the original story was written, it is a little stilted and overly proper from a modern perspective.

Once the story gets going there is a gradual shift in the narrative. It goes from a straight ahead mystery similar to Agatha Christie or perhaps Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to a more nuanced, slightly off kilter story with slight hints of Edgar Allen Poe. It took me a little by surprise.

So, bottom line, The Iron Chariot was originally written in 1908 0r '09, it's a little dated, there are some slow parts, but it's worth a look. Anyone who enjoys the old classic-style mysteries will almost certainly find something to like with The Iron Chariot.

***Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this title

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Iron Chariot (translated beautifully by Lucy Moffatt) is a short read that packs one heck of a punch- an eerie and atmospheric tale of murder and secrets that is often also genuinely creepy.

We have an unnamed narrator, an enigmatic detective and things that go bump in the night- a murder most foul and a lyrical off kilter prose that keeps you immersed. The sense of place is clever, wrapping itself around the narrative so the vivid haunting backdrop comes to life. It is a gorgeous read – the author being somewhat of an original when it comes to Nordic Noir, available here for the first time in English.

I worked out where it was going very early on (I learned from the best when I read Christie multiple times) but that didn’t feel like the point of the book. Stein Riverton sets you up within a claustrophobic, haunting setting then gives us a Poirot like investigator, a hapless, nervous observer and then twists the plot intelligently through to an excellent conclusion.

Terrific. Recommended.

[Ragnhild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opprinnelig gitt ut i 1909, er boken en av de første av sitt slag. Kan minne om en slags blanding av Poirot og Sherlock Holmes. God, gammeldags krim med en uforutsett twist på slutten - hva mer kan man be om?

[Ken Fredette · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book that was published in 1909 it was fantastic. I liked that he used I and never named the person who was telling the story. Every other person had a name the Gjaernaes', Carsten, and Hilde, the Forester (Blinde), the Fisherman (Jan Jansen), and Asbjorn Krag (the policeman). He went through the whole story giving leading questions and involving several other people as red herrings. Giving descriptions of the iron chariot as not leaving any tracks, he leads you into his ending with anticipation. It was a very interesting story to read as it had newspapers and the telegraph and no other forms to communicate with. I would highly recommend this book to read.

[France-Andrée · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard of this book because it was compared to one by Agatha Christie, I cannot say which one without giving the ending. The article I read was saying how it was possible Agatha Christie might have read this and her ending came from it, I disagree for it is like comparing apples and oranges, they are both fruits but there the link between ends. It is also to be noted that The Iron Chariot had only been published in an obscure magazine in English at the time and that the chance it had been read my the Queen of Mystery is very remote. The article did work though since I bought and read The Iron Chariot.

I thought this was well written since I knew where it was going I looked for other things than I would have normally. I think the killer can only be one person. I didn't like the detective, he was too brash. What I really enjoyed mystery wise is what is The Iron Chariot, that I hadn't guessed at all and I think that made the book enjoyable. The side mysteries do provide with head scratching.

The story is about a forestry guard that gets bashed in the head. A detective (not a policeman) gets called in because the local police can't make heads of tail of it. I got confused between The Inspector (police) and The Detective since often, in other stories, they are used to talk about the same character so sometimes I was going back a couple of paragraghs because what I was reading made no sense. I think the translator could have made this easier to understand by using other words.

All in all, not bad, obviously would have been better for me it I had not known the ending, but I would not have read this if I hadn't read the article so that was the price of hearing about this book.

[Bendik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Må meddele at boken dessverre ikke har noe med en jern(bane)vogn å gjøre.

Men spennende krim.

[True Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truyện khá dông dài về nhân vật chính có dấu hiệu "đập đá" nhẹ ,bù lại được mạch truyện khá cuốn ở đầu và giữa truyện rồi khá là "cá đuối" về đoạn kết . Twist này theo bản thân mình thì không hay ,dễ đoán nếu chịu để ý xíu

[Marcus Hobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a brilliant read.

Set on an island in Norway, it is a murder mystery. Called by many the first of the Nordic Noir novels, it still certainly holds its own in the company of all the modern crime masters. For me it captures the essence of the place and location, spruce forests, boulders and rocky outcrops, marshes and a chilly ocean, all basking in the brief heat of summer.

A body is found and a detective is summoned from Kristiania (modern day Oslo) to investigate the crime. Strange nocturnal noises are heard, clanking iron chains, and seem to be the herald of death and perhaps even murder.

First published in 1908, The Iron Chariot came out 12 years before the first Agatha Christie novel with Poirot. In many ways the central detective, called Asbjorn Krag, feels like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. I think it is that confidence that he has worked everything out already and is just waiting for some of the missing pieces to fall into place. Krag even has the pince nez, the tiny spectacles that balance on the nose, just like Poirot.

A great story, available in a new translation in e-Book format.

Thanks to Scott at The Abandoned Bookshop for proving me a copy to review.

[Gert De Bie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stein Riverton is de grondlegger van de moderne Noorse misdaadroman (dixit Jo Nesbø) en De ijzeren wagen uit 1909 zou zijn onbetwiste meesterwerk zijn. Dat waren alleszins voldoende geloofsbrieven om onze nieuwsgierigheid te prikkelen.

In een vakantieoord aan zee wordt een moord gepleegd, komen oude legendes hun aandacht opeisen en neemt een ingehuurde detective één van de badgasten mee op sleeptouw terwijl hij de moordenaar zoekt.

De ijzeren wagen is degelijk, met momenten meeslepend, maar echt overtuigd zijn we niet. Daarvoor vonden we sommige fraseringen te gekunsteld en delen van de plotopbouw een beetje knullig. Geen verloren tijd, wel op naar ander en beter.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

De cover vertelt mij al dat ik dit boek vermoedelijk heel graag ga lezen. En dat is ook zo. Onmogelijk weg te leggen. Een pageturner van jewelste als je zoals ik houdt van psychologische misdaadverhalen. En dat door een boek dat al in 1909 voor de eerste keer werd uitgebracht en in 2023 door uitgeverij Houtekiet terug opgevist.

Waar gaat het over, De setting is een rustig hotel op een vakantie-eiland in Noorwegen. Het is het begin van de hete zomer en alles en iedereen ligt bijna onbeweeglijk door de hitte op de gazons. “We genoten allemaal van de absolute passiviteit. Zelfs de gedachten die nooit rusten, dommelden in.” Maar die lieflijke rust wordt verstoort wanneer drie mensen komen aangerend. Er is een lijk gevonden! Weg de loomheid! De ik-verteller blijkt ook de laatste geweest te zijn die de vermoorde houtvester Blinde levend heeft gezien. De commissaris van politie op het eiland is totaal niet geschikt voor dit soort zaken en er wordt een detective bij geroepen uit Kristiania. Asbjörn Krag is niet in dienst van de overheid en kan dus zijn eigen mensen en methoden gebruiken.

Er gebeuren geheimzinnige dingen op het eiland. Zo zijn er de rammelende kettingen die tijdens de nacht van de moord zijn gehoord. En wat is er waar van het verhaal dat op het eiland de ronde doet over een ijzeren wagen die gehoord wordt op de nachten dat er iemand sterft. Genoeg om de detective bezig te houden. Tot zijn grote verbazing vraagt Asbjörn Krag aan de ik-verteller om hem te assisteren. Niet geheel tot diens genoegen want hij vindt de speurneus maar een raadselachtig man. Veel actie lijkt Krag immers niet te ondernemen. Het wordt allemaal nog veel ingewikkelder wanneer er een tweede dode wordt gevonden op precies dezelfde plaats als houtvester Blinde. Geruchten wijzen in de richting van de oude Gjaernaes hoeve en zijn bewoners, juffrouw Hilde en haar broer Carsten. De nacht dat hun vader verdronk op een vistocht werd immers óók de ijzeren wagen gehoord. Hoe vaker de ik-verteller meegaat met Krag hoe vaker hij ook slachtoffer lijkt te worden van de mysterieuze gebeurtenissen. Voetstappen in een bloemperkje onder zijn raam, de dode die voor zijn venster verschijnt, het jaagt hem allemaal de stuipen op het lijf. ‘De vermoorde houtvester Blinde was precies even lang als ik. De dode had vannacht voor mijn raam gestaan.’ Door al die spanning gaan angst en fantasie met de ik-verteller op de loop en wanneer het weer kouder wordt en de zomerdagen korten is het misschien tijd om weer naar huis te gaan.
Stilaan komt de afloop in zicht, op een scherpe en meedogenloze wijze zal Asbjörn Krag er in slagen om de moordenaar zichzelf te laten beschuldigen.

Wanneer Krag in het verhaal verschijnt moet ik meteen aan Agatha Christie denken. Net als Poirot is Krag een intelligente en ijdele ‘gentleman detective’. Hij is niet echt fysiek actief. Geen geloop van hot naar her, geen gezoek naar achtergebleven sigarettenpeukjes of andere bewijzen, maar wel het gebruik van deductie en vooral mensenkennis. En dat was nieuw in de misdaadroman. Het boek verscheen in 1909 waar Agatha Christie pas in 1926 deze truc zou toepassen in haar ‘The murder of Roger Acroyd’ zo lees ik in het nawoord van Mark Cloostermans. Een nawoord dat dit boek plaatst in ruimte en tijd en veel duiding geeft over opbouw en personages. Het geeft het boek een meerwaarde die onontbeerlijk is. Pas te lezen nadat je het verhaal uit hebt dus.

Een groot deel van de charme van dit verhaal zit hem in de taal en de sfeer. Voor de hedendaagse lezer vraagt het wel een beetje aanpassing. We zijn immers niet meer gewoon aan de traagheid van net na het begin van de twintigste eeuw. Hier worden vrouwen nog beschermd tegen gruwelijke gebeurtenissen, zijn de mannen nog daadkrachtig en is hoffelijkheid nog de norm. Stein Riverton is een meester in het scheppen van sfeer. Zijn uitvoerige beschrijvingen van de omgeving en het weer laten het verhaal het ritme volgen van een voorbijgaande zomer, geven de huiver weer als het geluid van de ijzeren wagen wordt gehoord of als ‘de dode verschijnt’. Het is vooral smullen van de psychologische aanpak van Asbjörn Krag. De manier waarop hij er in slaagt om de spanning op te bouwen houdt mij in zijn greep tot hij er uiteindelijk in slaagt om de moordenaar in een hoek te drijven. En dat laatste is bijna letterlijk te nemen. Zien we in het begin van het verhaal nog groepen mensen ‘Wij mannen vertrokken meteen, half lopend, half rennend, en recht voor ons uitkijkend. De vrouwen dachten even na, maar volgden toch op een afstandje.’ dan krijgen we op het einde nog slechts twee à drie personen tot er tenslotte nog één overblijft.

In het nawoord lezen we dat Stein Riverton de pseudoniem is van Kristoffer Elvestad Svendsen die zijn werk als schrijver los wou koppelen van zijn werk als journalist. Op dertig jaar tijd schreef hij 98 boeken waarvan ‘De ijzeren wagen’ de bekendste is. Dat uitgeverij Houtekiet een serie ‘Crime Classics’ uit gaat brengen die nog niet in het Nederlands beschikbaar waren, valt alleen maar toe te juichen. Dat ze als eerste hiervoor ‘De ijzeren wagen’ kozen geeft hoge verwachtingen voor de volgende in de reeks. Ik ben alvast fan.

Alle info ver dit boek vind je op
https://www.houtekiet.be/nl/artikelpa...

[Arjen Meijgaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stein Riverton, pseudoniem van Kristoffer Elvestad Svendsen (1884-1934) schreef in dertig jaar tijd 98 misdaadromans. Uit het nawoord van Mark Cloostermans blijkt dat Riverton de grondlegger is van de Noorse misdaadroman en dat De ijzeren wagen uit 1909 het hoogtepunt van zijn oeuvre is. Dankzij de vertaling van Liesbeth Huijer en Perpetua Uiterwaal kan nu ook de Nederlandse lezer genieten van dit Noorse misdaadverhaal.

De ingrediënten van een klassieke detective zijn aanwezig: een moord, een onduidelijk motief, een aantal verdachten en natuurlijk een detective. In dit verhaal is dat niet iemand van de politie, maar iemand die op eigen houtje opereert. Asbjørn Krag wordt door een van de hotelgasten gevraagd vanuit Kristiana (het huidige Oslo) naar het zomerhotel aan te kust te komen om een vreemde moordzaak op te lossen. De plaatselijke politiecommissaris is daar maar wat blij mee, hij heeft op dat gebied weinig ervaring.
Lees verder op: https://www.tzum.info/2024/05/recensi...

[Marina Sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit like Crime and Punishment, with a stubborn (if not very obviously bloodhound) detective and a guilty conscience.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Henrik Ibsen and Agatha Christie had a love child, s/he would have written this novel

[Kristian Lindberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

En krimigåde med smukke naturbeskrivelser og norsk sommerstemning

[Ngao Nguyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

trope ng kể chuyện ko đáng tin cậy, lối viết ổn, dễ đọc, kbt do dễ đoán hay mih quen r nên chưa đọc tới 1/2 cuốn đã đoán trúng hung thủ

[Øystein Bjaanes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norwegian crime literature from 1909. Could that be any good? I really didn't know, or care, but I got this book as a gift when I joined a book club a couple of years ago. Since then, I've noticed it from time to time, and I have assumed it would be worth a read.

It was. Granted, it took some time getting into the language, which (in this edition) is close to the original, if not the original, and thus antiquated. When you get used to it, however, you notice that this is a well-written book. It is not the most sophisticated plot (I read it late last evening, and without really trying to solve the crime, and even then I touched on the solution), but the crime isn't what the book really is about.

In an afterword, the author is quoted that what he tried to acheive here was to describe fear, growing fear, and in that task he has succeded. The book is told in a first person-narrative, and the narrator steadily descends into panic and fear. This psycological angle is well done, and I found it much to my liking.

I'm glad I finally read this book. I may not seek out the other works from Riverton, as the afterword said his works were of greatly differing quality, and this book was his master piece, but I wouldn't put it past me to pick up another, should I come across it.

[Bookread2day · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Iron Chariot was first published in 1909. In 2017 Norway's crime writers voted it the greatest Norwegian crime novel of all time.

Lucy Moffatt's new English translation means that fans of Nordic Noir can finally read this book that started it all.

I could tell from the settings of this clever tale that it was set in an older time frame.

On a blazing hot summer's day on a Norwegian holiday island, hotel guests are shocked when a body is found.

A nameless lad has found a dead man, he was Forestry Inspector Blinde.

I liked this part as the story that was set many years ago where no mobile phones were invented and with the quickest way to contact someone was through a telegram, which had to be sent for a detective to solve this murder.

Since a detective will take many hours to arrive at the scene, the most weirdest situation is upon the murdered man, he can't lay out where he was found, it must be arranged for the dead Inspector Blinde to be brought indoors. Unlike in today's world where nobody is allowed to touch a anything in a crime scene, these students are willing to move a dead man.

The Iron Chariot maybe quite quirky with its criminal element setting, but it is a simple crime novel to read and follow.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a genuinely good book. Atmospheric, creepy, and full of suspense. My only regret is that I knew the solution to the mystery going into it, since I had already read and enjoyed Jason's adaptation: The Iron Wagon not long before this. Still, I liked the twist very much, and the sense of mounting tension, almost claustrophobia, was very effective. I certainly felt on edge for most of the reading!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is the oldest book I've ever read, but despite the fact that it was first published in 1909, it doesn't give you the feeling of actually being that old. The story is capturing, ahead of it's time and with a nice twist at the end. Definitely worth my time.

[Krimiormen Seidler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gule roser er en ny serie fra Forlaget Escho der fokuserer på kulørt litteratur fra perioden 1900-1945. Det meste af den kulørte litteratur var virkelig elendigt, men lidt af det var faktisk virkelig godt og læseværdigt. Deriblandt ”Jernvognen”.

”Jernvognen” er oprindeligt skrevet af Stein Riverton og udkommer D. 5. november 2020 fra forlaget Escho. Oprindeligt udkom ”Jernvognen første gang helt tilbage i 1909. Siden den første udgivelse er ”Jernvognen” blevet genudgivet adskillige gange.

Oversætteren Anders Jørgen Mogensen har brugt udgaven fra 1968 til at oversætte fra i denne helt nye udgivelse. Forfatteren Stein Riverton er et alias. Forfatteren var journalist og hed Sven Elvestad. Han levede fra 1884-1934 og var født i Norge.

Elverstad var fantastisk produktiv på trods af, at han var voldsomt alkoholiseret. Elvestad har skrevet 108 krimier, samt andre bøger og et hav af avisartikler. Han levede et hårdt liv fyldt med alkohol og havde i mange år ikke en fast bopæl, men boede på forskellige hoteller rundt omkring i norden.

Mine første krimier var skrevet af Agatha Christie og Arthur Canon Doyle. Jeg var ikke nået langt ind i ”Jernvognen” inden den fik mig til at tænke tilbage på mine første bekendtskaber med krimigenren. ”Jernvognen” mindede mig om Arthur Canon Doyles ”Baskervilles hund” som betragtes som én af klassikerne indenfor genren.

Tilbage til ”Jernvognen”. Man får aldrig at vide hvad fortællerens navn er i ”Jernvognen”. Men der hersker ingen tvivl om, at fortællerens sind, efterhånden som handlingen rulles ud for læseren, er ved at gå fuldstændig i opløsning.

Jeg går ud fra, at fortælleren er af hankøn. Han bliver ufrivilligt draget ind i detektiven Asbjørn Krags undersøgelser af et mord. På trods af, at fortælleren konstant prøver at snige sig ud af detektivens klør, så klæber Krag sig uhjælpeligt fast i vores fortællers sind.

Jeg vil gå så langt som til at betegne ”Jernvognen” som en psykologisk krimi. ”Jernvognen” begynder med at 3 personer kommer løbende ind i haven til et sommerpensionat. Det som jeg vel ville betegne som et badehotel. De 3 personer er skrækslagne.

De har fundet en død mand. Hurtigt viser det sig, at manden er blevet myrdet. I nærheden af badehotellet ligger gården Gjærnæs, beboet af et søskendepar. Vores fortæller betragter dette søskendepar, Hilde og Carsten Gjærnæs, som sine nære venner og faktisk er han temmelig betaget af søsteren Hilde.

Aftenen før var fortælleren gået en tur til Gjærnæs, men bliver afvist ved døren. Det ser vores fortæller som meget usædvanligt og ikke noget der er sket før. Han bliver nysgerrig og gemmer sig i skyggerne for at belure parret. Pludselig ser han en af de andre gæster fra badehotellet forlade søskendeparret.

Det var skovridder Blinde. Da fortælleren går tilbage til badehotellet, hører han pludselig en jernvogn i det fjerne. Sidst nogen hørte den uhyggelige lyd af jernvognen, var 4 år tidligere da søskendeparret Gjærnæs`s far døde. Denne hændelse kommer til at præge resten af historien og fortælleren på uhyggelig vis.

Han er usikker på om der faktisk findes en jernvogn eller om det bare er et overnaturligt fænomen. ”Jernvognen” er en fantastisk velskrevet historie med adskillige lag af uhygge og går dybere ind i menneskets sind end man ser i andre samtidige krimier.

I periferien sniger detektiven Asbjørn Krag sig rundt i et forsøg på, at opklare mordet. Krag opdager at han faktisk står med 3 sager der åbenbart vikler sig ind i hinanden. ”Jernvognen” får bestemt mine varmeste anbefalinger med på vejen.

En krimiperle i en ældre genre, med et fint kig til nutidens krimigenre.

Vurdering: 5/6 Roser

Krimiormen.dk

[Hải Ruan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quyển sách này có một ma lực mạnh mẽ khiến mình dán mắt không muốn rời, và hoàn thành chỉ vài tiếng đồng hồ. Truyện trinh thám cổ điển nhưng suy luận, plost twist đúng đỉnh luôn mọi người ơi. Mở đầu có vẻ hơi chán khi tác giả tả mây, tả cảnh, nhưng sức hút chóng đến khi 3 con người phát hiện ra thi thể. Mình cực kỳ khoái Stein Riverton ở cách ông đề cập đến tên nhân vật. Tên vị thám tử và đối tượng tình nghi số 1 hơi khó đọc (do ngôn ngữ), truyện rất ít tên để nhớ. Chủ yếu tác giả để “chàng sinh viên”, “bà chủ”, “ông quản gia”, …. nên không gây khó khăn trong việc ghi nhớ tuyến nhân vật.
Như đề cập ban đầu, truyện có ma lực thu hút mình bởi những bí ẩn mang màu sắc huyền bí, những lời đồn và sự việc ma quái cứ tiếp diễn, thái độ và suy nghĩ của các nhân vật thay đổi rất kỳ quặc. Truyện không câu nệ tình tiết, tác giả liên tục bật mí những bí mật với tốc độ chóng mặt, đến nỗi khiến mình lo lắng vì chỉ đến nửa tập truyện thôi đã có nhiều dữ kiện đến thế thì xử lý cái kết của tác giả sẽ thế nào. Vẫn là mình lo bò trắng răng, truyện cứ thế mà tăng dần kịch tính. Những tình tiết đan xen, chồng chéo lên nhau dần dần được vị thám tử bóc tách khiến sự thật hiện ra đơn giản. Những câu chuyện ma từ từ được hé lộ.

Nếu như truyện Chiếc xe sắt này được xuất bản sớm hơn, đây sẽ là một tác phẩm thuộc dòng kinh điển mang tầm ảnh hưởng đến các tác giả viết truyện trinh thám của nước nhà. Do đã đọc nhiều bộ trinh thám khác nên mình đã nhiều lần lờ mờ hình dung trước cú plost twist. Tuy nhiên xuyên suốt tập truyện, nhiều lần ý tưởng của mình bị lung lay. Rõ ràng từ đầu truyện mình đã có cảm giác bất ổn, đến khi mình bị tác giả lái đến một sự nghi ngờ khác, mình lật lại đoạn đầu thì lạ thay giọng văn đã thay đổi, cảm giác bất ổn ban đầu đã biến mất. Chẳng qua bây giờ có rất nhiều truyện trinh thám nên Chiếc Xe Sắt có thể không gây ra một chấn động lớn, nhưng xét về thời điểm truyện ra mắt mà được dịch sang nhiều thứ tiếng, ta có thể khẳng định “tác giả viết truyện trinh thám hay nhất Nauy là Stein Riverton” không phải chỉ là câu quảng cáo của nhà làm sách. Thậm chí Chiếc xe sắt “sinh sau đẻ muộn” ở Việt Nam vẫn chấp nhiều tác phẩm đi trước về chất lượng. Tác phẩm gợi mình nghĩ đến plost twist của truyện này (của Nhật) được viết gần đây, nên có thể tác giả của tác phẩm kia học hỏi Stein Riverton.

[Saskia · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Hij is vermoord in een nacht als deze, toen de grijze wolken onrustig langs de hemel joegen.”

Kristoffer Elvestad Svendsen schreef in 1909, onder het pseudoniem Stein Riverton, De ijzeren wagen. Dit is het eerste deel uit de nieuwe reeks Crime Classics bij uitgeverij Houtekiet. Best interessant, dus het is zeker uitkijken naar de volgende titels!

De ik-verteller geniet van zijn vakantie in een zomerhotel op een eiland in Noorwegen. Op een lome zomerdag wordt er even verder weg een vermoorde man gevonden. De verteller heeft het slachtoffer de avond voordien nog gezien én hij heeft die nacht ook een bijzonder ratelend geluid gehoord. Was dit het geluid van de ijzeren wagen, waar een onheilspellende legende de ronde over doet? Detective Asbjørn Krag, een merkwaardig man, wordt opgetrommeld en deze vraagt hulp aan de verteller. Die verteller wordt, naarmate het verhaal vordert, steeds meer overmand door angsten als hij de dader mee probeert te ontmaskeren.

“Het was dus geen hallucinatie geweest, maar de houtvester was toch dood? Het moordslachtoffer was dood en begraven, hoe kon hij dan ’s nachts door mijn raam naar binnen kijken?”

De ijzeren wagen is een vermakelijk verhaal dat langzaam wordt opgebouwd en tamelijk uitgesponnen is. Stein Riverton weet de sfeer, die steeds macaberder wordt, zeer goed weer te geven. De spanning wordt afgewisseld met de bedenkingen van de ik-verteller. Er passeren een paar verdachten, maar het net sluit zich steeds meer om de dader. Hoewel je als lezer misschien al snel een vermoeden hebt, toch blijft het tot het einde spannend door de goed opbouw. Het is ook knap hoe de oude legende over de ijzeren wagen geïntegreerd wordt. Uiteindelijk komt er duidelijkheid over het ratelende geluid, een beetje onverwacht, maar het past goed bij het tijdsbeeld!

“De ijzeren wagen. Ik herinnerde me dat ik er weleens over had gehoord. Een merkwaardig verhaal, waar ik verder geen acht op had geslagen. Ik wist niet meer hoe het zat, maar de nacht en de duisternis deden me vermoeden dat het iets angstaanjagends was.”

In een boeiend nawoord legt Mark Cloostermans uit hoe belangrijk De ijzeren wagen is geweest voor de verdere misdaadromans. Waarom wordt Stein Riverton beschouwd als de grondlegger van de Noorse misdaadliteratuur? Ook hoe je dit verhaal kan interpreteren en situeren in de tijd wordt duidelijk belicht.

[Stephen Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mình khá thích giọng văn của tác giả trong quyển sách này. Mặc dù là trinh thám cổ điển nhưng những câu từ miêu tả cảnh và tâm lý nhân vật khá trao chuốt.

“Đây đó có một cái ao hay một con suối nhỏ chảy róc rách, và giữa cánh đồng hoang ấy có những con đường lầy lội với đầy bụi rậm và các loại cây thấp. Trang trại Gjaernaes ở phía xa như nằm trên một tấm thảm dệt từ những cánh đồng xanh màu mỡ và những khu vườn sum suê. Vào ban ngày, người ta có thể nhìn ra nông trại từ gian phòng áp mái của khách sạn, còn vào ban đêm thì có thể thấy ánh đèn nhấp nháy từ ô cửa sổ.

“Sự bình thản ấy khiến tôi bực mình, cảm giác khó chịu lấn cấn trong lòng. Tôi rất muốn đi ra ngoài để làn gió mùa hè làm dịu bớt gương mặt đang nóng rực của mình. Tuy vậy tôi vẫn ngời yên như đã bị tê liệt, với những sợi dây thần kinh căng như dây đàn.”

Mình cũng thích cách tác giả tạo ra không khí bí ẩn và kích thích sự tò mò xuyên suốt quyển sách. Mình không ngừng đặt câu hỏi ai là thủ phạm thật sự, những cái chết có liên quan gì nhau, chiếc xe sắt có thật không hay chỉ là sự tưởng tượng.

Tuy nhiên trong lúc đọc, mình khá sốt ruột vì ông thám tử hầu như không điều tra suy luận gì cả, chỉ là đặt câu hỏi cho những người xung quanh, còn tỏ vẻ không quan tâm đến những gì người khác phát hiện. Ông ta nói ông ta biết ai là thủ phạm ngay từ đầu nhưng cứ úp úp mở mở. Mãi cho đến cuối sách thì sự kiên nhẫn của mình mới được đền đáp khi ông gải thích vì sao mình có những hành động như vậy.

Cái twist về hung thủ có lẽ dễ đoán nhưng mình thấy hay. Cách tiếp cận với vụ án cũng khá mới lạ so với những gì mình đã đọc.

Chỉ tiếc là tác giả dù tả cảnh đẹp đấy nhưng có lúc dông dài khiến mình mệt mỏi. Một số chi tiết đưa vào tưởng có liên quan nhưng hóa ra chỉ là ngẫu nhiên nên mình có hụt hẫng một tí.

Mình cho 3.25/5⭐️

[Mike Cuthbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating little mystery, written by a man who was called the “founder of the modern Norwegian crime novel”. A very observant but anonymous narrator describes the lovely resort setting on a lake in Norway and the events that transpire there over several days. The narrator is apparently friends with a detective from Kristiania (Oslo) who is summoned after a strange murder in which the victim’s face is obliterated. The narrator becomes a de facto assistant to Asbjorn Krag, the detective, and follows him everywhere. Another thing that seems to follow everyone on the island everywhere is the “iron chariot”—an apparent machine that makes horrible noises while traversing the island. While nobody sees the chariot, it appears after each murder—yes, there are several before we’re all done. With a preponderance of descriptions of nature and the setting for the murders, the plot moves quickly past many suspects while Krag remains largely silent. The nature of the iron chariot become apparent eventually, as does the murderer in a twist ending. Fun for its historical nature, one of over 100 mysteries that Riverton wrote (really journalist Sven Elvestad) it is recognized as his best. It is fun to read, too, because there is no CCTV or cellphone technology to assist the detective. Written in 1909, there was little to help him, but Krag didn’t need much help. Try it for a unique experience.

[Nene La Beet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeg hørte den i en dansk udgave, men den findes ikke her på Goodreads. Jeg faldt over den i Bookbeat-app'en – den hedder Jernvognen på dansk.

Den er meget spøjs, minder i tonen – lidt distanceret – meget om andre ældre krimier, måske særligt Conan Doyle og Graham Greene (er klar over, at sidstnævnte var efter Riverton).

Den udkom i 1909 og blev straks en sensation. Den fokuserer mindre på opklaringen af forbrydelsen (handlingen finder sted på og omkring et feriehotel i Norge) end på hovedpersonens og bipersonernes mentale tilstand. Den er skrevet på en lidt kluntet måde, og forfatteren har nogle bestemte vendinger, han bruger igen og igen. Men det bidrager egentlig lidt til den både fine og mærkværdige oplevelse, det er at læse (lytte) sådan en gammel sag.

Stein Riverton er et pseudonym for en nærmest hyperproduktiv forfatter ved navn Sven Elvestad (død 1934).

En bog, man sagtens kan leve uden, men som kan sætte lidt kulør på tilværelsen og minde én om forskelle og ligheder med "gamle dage". Den er ganske kort, lyttetiden er fem timer. Indlæseren er Thomas Knuth-Winterfeldt – det er sådan lidt over middel.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Iron Chariot" by Stein Riverton is a Norwegian crime novel first published in 1909. The novel is highly regarded. Something of an early Nordic noir, the story takes place over a summer at a holiday hotel on an isolated island. The early chapters lead the reader to suppose that this hotel is very isolated with few people about. As the story and summer progresses, the story opens up to reveal that the village or town is well populated and the hotel is a popular resort. The claustrophobia though is maintained by a nameless narrator (I'm sure he is never named) who almost solely interacts with the private detective Asbjorn Krag. The murder occurs very early on but little detecting seems to occur. Instead, a feeling of unease and foreboding is created that strengthens throughout the story. Supernatural elements are suggested but are revealed to be all quite natural. In some ways, the story is more Nordic gothic than a mystery. All the same, Riverton kept my attention until the reveal.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damnation.
This is why I hate reading prefaces or forewords or introductions simply because they tend to reveal everything. Kindly avoid the mistake I made.

Please before embarking on this book, note the date of publication. The year was 1909 - therefore in short, two words will explain this book - fantastically brillant. If you want a one word summary - ingenious.

Subterfuge and psychological - attempts to defuse, confuse and infuse the mind of the reader is apparent. A brilliant psychoanalysis ( I cannot say more or else your clever mind will pick up the underlying words).

Therefore this book deserves a rating of 10/10. Please don't be prejudice and compare this to modern world reading especially for those people like me who have read a lot of detective books. No doubt the writer is prolific and has an excellent play on words and description. Scenic description and atmospheric description will transport you to the place in the book. I'm glad that I have read this book. A wonderful treasure.

[Owain Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

First published in 1909 I get the feeling this is one of those works that needs to be placed in its historical literary context. There are some great moments of tension and spookyness here and Riverton does setting really well but I found the ending a bit of an anticlimax - I saw it coming from just past midway through. I much prefer crime novels that are about more than the crime and its eventual solution. In this respect The Iron Chariot is pretty straight arrow but for me it lacked the who-done-it blind alleys and red herrings that would keep you guessing right up to the reveal. Coming in at 175 pages I didn't mind this too much and the writing was good, especially on landscape and the strangeness of the heady Nordic summer and it's elongated days. A bit like a short holiday to a foreign land with some intrigue and murder thrown in for excitement. Not bad.

[Elsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boka er skrevet veldig bra, selv om språket selvfølgelig er litt gammeldags.
Noen har skrevet at boka var litt kjedelig og sakte til tider, men jeg er uenig, jeg syntes det var spennende fra første til siste side.

Det som jeg ikke likte så godt, var at jeg allerede tidlig i boka visste hvem morderen var. Man blir ikke introdusert til så mange personer, så det er ganske tydelig.
Selv var jeg ikke så fornøyd med at morderen var fortelleren, fordi man liksom alltid blir litt knyttet til hovedpersonen nesten uansett, og fordi jeg syntes det var litt ekkelt å være inne i hodet på noen som har drept noen.
Ellers likte jeg boka.