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Inspector Barbarotti #4
De ensomme
An alternate cover for this isbn can be found here.
Det begynder i 1969. Seks unge mennesker kommer til Uppsala. Omstændighederne fører dem sammen, og de udvikler en slags venskab. De danner par, drikker vin og diskuterer Gud, livet og kærligheden. Men en bustur til Østeuropa får konsekvenser for alle, og da Uppsala-tiden er ovre, er det også slut med så meget andet.
En menneskealder senere finder man docent Germund Grooth død neden for en skrænt i skovene uden for Kymlinge. En gammel dødeskrænt ifølge folketroen - og nøjagtig det sted, hvor hans kæreste, Maria, en af de unge Uppsala-studerende, døde 35 år tidligere. Dengang blev dødsfaldet kategoriseret som en ulykke, men Gunnar Barbarotti og Eva Backman vægrer sig ved at tro, at også det nye dødsfald skyldes en ulykke.
De Ensomme er fjerde bog om vicekriminalkommissær Gunnar Barbarotti, en bog hvor han møder en ny slags alvor og tvinges til at revurdere mange ting. I særdeleshed den der gamle overenskomst med Vorherre.
Det begynder i 1969. Seks unge mennesker kommer til Uppsala. Omstændighederne fører dem sammen, og de udvikler en slags venskab. De danner par, drikker vin og diskuterer Gud, livet og kærligheden. Men en bustur til Østeuropa får konsekvenser for alle, og da Uppsala-tiden er ovre, er det også slut med så meget andet.
En menneskealder senere finder man docent Germund Grooth død neden for en skrænt i skovene uden for Kymlinge. En gammel dødeskrænt ifølge folketroen - og nøjagtig det sted, hvor hans kæreste, Maria, en af de unge Uppsala-studerende, døde 35 år tidligere. Dengang blev dødsfaldet kategoriseret som en ulykke, men Gunnar Barbarotti og Eva Backman vægrer sig ved at tro, at også det nye dødsfald skyldes en ulykke.
De Ensomme er fjerde bog om vicekriminalkommissær Gunnar Barbarotti, en bog hvor han møder en ny slags alvor og tvinges til at revurdere mange ting. I særdeleshed den der gamle overenskomst med Vorherre.
494 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
53 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Håkan Nesser
134 books1,114 followersHåkan Nesser is a Swedish author and teacher who has written a number of successful crime fiction novels. He has won Best Swedish Crime Novel Award three times, and his novel Carambole won the Glass Key award in 2000. His books have been translated from Swedish into numerous languages.
Håkan Nesser was born and grew up in Kumla, and has lived most of his adult life in Uppsala. His first novel was published in 1988, but he worked as a teacher until 1998 when he became a full-time author. In August, 2006, Håkan Nesser and his wife Elke moved to Greenwich Village in New York.
Series:
* Inspector Van Veeteren
* Inspector Barbarotti
Håkan Nesser was born and grew up in Kumla, and has lived most of his adult life in Uppsala. His first novel was published in 1988, but he worked as a teacher until 1998 when he became a full-time author. In August, 2006, Håkan Nesser and his wife Elke moved to Greenwich Village in New York.
Series:
* Inspector Van Veeteren
* Inspector Barbarotti
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
October 9, 2021
The cover, the title and the blurb all conspired to draw me towards this book. It even had some great reviews. And it is one of my favourite genres - Scandi noir. But, blimey, it was hard work!
This book was very long. I was reading it over 3 days which is very unusual. This book was also very slooow. But somehow I kept reading - thinking there’s got to be a payoff in here somewhere. Was I right? It’s hard to tell.
A man (Germund Grooth) dies in the present day (2010), he has fallen 20-25 metres to his death from a cliff top. The police need to decide if this was an accident, a suicide or had he been pushed. There would be very little deliberation over this had his former girlfriend (Maria Winckler) not fallen to her death in the exact same spot 35 years ago. Two police officers, Eva Blackman and Gunnar Barbarotti undertake an exhaustive and thorough investigation into both deaths. It is almost impossible to prove anything either way.
There was little drama, no suspense and what ‘twists’ it did have I had actually already surmised. What this story did have in spades was pathos. The whole thing, the six friends about whom the story revolves, were all kind of sad. The characters were extremely well portrayed as you would expect with a long, slow book that I finished rather than defenestrated! But it was still hard work.
There was an ending of sorts so I didn’t have to send the author death threats (just kidding) and the writing was superb. Maybe it lost something in translation? The ending worked but it was sad seeing that all those lives were ruined for the selfishness of one person. I will say no more. Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
This book was very long. I was reading it over 3 days which is very unusual. This book was also very slooow. But somehow I kept reading - thinking there’s got to be a payoff in here somewhere. Was I right? It’s hard to tell.
A man (Germund Grooth) dies in the present day (2010), he has fallen 20-25 metres to his death from a cliff top. The police need to decide if this was an accident, a suicide or had he been pushed. There would be very little deliberation over this had his former girlfriend (Maria Winckler) not fallen to her death in the exact same spot 35 years ago. Two police officers, Eva Blackman and Gunnar Barbarotti undertake an exhaustive and thorough investigation into both deaths. It is almost impossible to prove anything either way.
There was little drama, no suspense and what ‘twists’ it did have I had actually already surmised. What this story did have in spades was pathos. The whole thing, the six friends about whom the story revolves, were all kind of sad. The characters were extremely well portrayed as you would expect with a long, slow book that I finished rather than defenestrated! But it was still hard work.
There was an ending of sorts so I didn’t have to send the author death threats (just kidding) and the writing was superb. Maybe it lost something in translation? The ending worked but it was sad seeing that all those lives were ruined for the selfishness of one person. I will say no more. Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
March 11, 2022
A enjoyable, although not fast-paced or twisty crime novel. The story centres around a group of six friends. One dies in 1975 in what might be suspicious circumstances, or possibly an accident or even suicide. A further death of one of the group happens thirty-five years' later ... at the same spot.
Thus Detective Inspector Barbarotti and his colleague Inspector Eva Backman commence an investigation into the later death and begin to review the case of the earlier.
For those readers wanting a crime novel with twists and revelations this is probably not for you. If, however, you like your stories character driven with layered dialogues and different perspectives this will be one to enjoy. The characters, including the police inspectors Barbarotti and Backman, are all very well portrayed. There is much sadness, worry, joy and hope alongside the times of youth and later life that run parallel and are intertwined with and central to the two deaths.
A long book, but one to enjoy with most of the story taking place in Sweden, but with key parts played out in Iron Curtain Eastern Europe too.
Please note that a 3-star rating for me, as is described by GR as "I liked it". I would happily recommend and will explore more from Hakan Nesser.
My copy was from my library and was a 2021 HB edition published in English by Mantle (Imprint of Pan Macmillan). Translated by Sarah Death 2021. 595 pages. The original was published in Sweden in 2010 as "De ensamma" by Albert Bonniers Forlag.
Thus Detective Inspector Barbarotti and his colleague Inspector Eva Backman commence an investigation into the later death and begin to review the case of the earlier.
For those readers wanting a crime novel with twists and revelations this is probably not for you. If, however, you like your stories character driven with layered dialogues and different perspectives this will be one to enjoy. The characters, including the police inspectors Barbarotti and Backman, are all very well portrayed. There is much sadness, worry, joy and hope alongside the times of youth and later life that run parallel and are intertwined with and central to the two deaths.
A long book, but one to enjoy with most of the story taking place in Sweden, but with key parts played out in Iron Curtain Eastern Europe too.
Please note that a 3-star rating for me, as is described by GR as "I liked it". I would happily recommend and will explore more from Hakan Nesser.
My copy was from my library and was a 2021 HB edition published in English by Mantle (Imprint of Pan Macmillan). Translated by Sarah Death 2021. 595 pages. The original was published in Sweden in 2010 as "De ensamma" by Albert Bonniers Forlag.
January 2, 2021
Un caso di Barbarotti che prende fin dalle prime pagine. Un cold case riaperto per il ritrovamento di un corpo che richiama un caso irrisolto di 35 anni prima. Si scava tra interrogatori, nelle vite dei sei protagonisti e nella mente di Barbarotti. Ben scritto e interessante.
October 30, 2021
The Lonely Ones is as much psychology as it is crime mystery. I really enjoyed it.
There are six main characters in the book, all close friends, yet improbably it seems that one, Maria, is pushed off a cliff by one of the others. Accidental Death is the official verdict at the time but when, 35 years later, another of the group falls to his death in exactly the same place, it raises questions about the earlier case.
The story works through the six friends and the way life changing events shape their characters. Young and idealistic to begin with when, mid way through the book, a traumatic and unpleasant event occurs which forces self preservation to the fore and the group never recover their friendship and trust. At that point the book begins to move in a different direction.
The solution to the crime is found in the personalities of the group and when it is revealed it fits perfectly.
The story is slow paced at times and is more thought provoking and emotional than dramatic.
There are six main characters in the book, all close friends, yet improbably it seems that one, Maria, is pushed off a cliff by one of the others. Accidental Death is the official verdict at the time but when, 35 years later, another of the group falls to his death in exactly the same place, it raises questions about the earlier case.
The story works through the six friends and the way life changing events shape their characters. Young and idealistic to begin with when, mid way through the book, a traumatic and unpleasant event occurs which forces self preservation to the fore and the group never recover their friendship and trust. At that point the book begins to move in a different direction.
The solution to the crime is found in the personalities of the group and when it is revealed it fits perfectly.
The story is slow paced at times and is more thought provoking and emotional than dramatic.
July 26, 2018
Dieser Krimi hat einen interessanten Schreibstil. Es hat zwar etwas gedauert bis ich drin war, aber dann hat es sich gut lesen lassen.
Die Handlung war krass. Echt, mehr mag ich gar nicht dazu sagen. Was in so nem Buch alles passieren kann...
Einzig die Charaktere haben mir nicht so gut gefallen. Sie waren irgendwie so oberflächlich. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass es nur der Schatten war.
Die Handlung war krass. Echt, mehr mag ich gar nicht dazu sagen. Was in so nem Buch alles passieren kann...
Einzig die Charaktere haben mir nicht so gut gefallen. Sie waren irgendwie so oberflächlich. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass es nur der Schatten war.
December 23, 2022
Disclaimer: Pan Macmillan SA kindly sent me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Lonely Ones is the fourth book in Hakan Nesser's The Barbarotti Series. The fifth book in the series, The Axe Woman just made its debut, and it's a wonderful thing because Nesser's Detective Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti is one of the most unique fictional detectives in contemporary literature in my opinion.
In 1969 six friends were all living in the university town of Uppsala, Sweden. Rickard Berglund and Tomas Winckler had done their military service together, and now Rickard is studying theology with plans to become a pastor, whilst Tomas is more interested in business and having a good time. Rickard eventually meets Anna Jonsson, a journalism student, and Tomas becomes involved with Gunilla Rysth, and for a while they are inseparable. The foursome is often joined by Tomas's sister Maria, and her partner Germund Grooth. Everyone agrees that Maria and Germund are a little strange, but despite the distinct differences between them all the six forms an unlikely, but close friendship.
A few years after they'd all graduated and/or moved away from Uppsala the friends reunite for a weekend that ends in the tragic death of one of them. After a fruitless investigation, the friends go their separate ways, and it will be almost four decades before they are all drawn together again - though not in person.
35 years after one of them tragically died, another member of the estranged group is found dead in exactly the same place. Detective Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti and Inspector Eva Backman have been called in to not only investigate this new death, but they will also dig deep into the past and try to figure out whether the two deaths are somehow related.
"Three couples and one single person, that's the important part. And one of the couples no longer exists, because they died at precisely the same spot, thirty-five years apart."
As the two detectives begin to interview the old friends, it becomes evident that none of them plan to be very cooperative, and because they are all 35 years older, time and illness are having their cruel way with the group. The only connecting thread seems to be a bus trip all six friends took one summer through Eastern Europe - a trip that seems to be the reason they all eventually chose to go their separate ways.
The novel is a slow burn and one that ignites sparks of dark academia and mystery. Each chapter takes the point-of-view of each of the friends, as well as the occasional welcoming dip into the private lives of Barbarotti and Backman. With all the separate stories the narrative could easily have become complicated, but Nesser effortlessly manages to keep the span of each character's life safe in its own cocoon.
That being said this novel deals with a lot of serious issues including loss, sexual assault, politics, war, religion, and mortality. These are all heavy topics, and Nesser does not shy away from their long-lasting effect on his characters. Despite the 1960s setting, and the cozy university environment, there is a heaviness in the air, and that heaviness remains with those whose secrets have eaten away at them, leaving virtually nothing behind, not even the truth.
Hakan Nesser's The Lonely Ones is a story of friendship, and secrets, and two detectives whose own troubled lives may just get in the way of solving a decades-long crime.
The Lonely Ones is the fourth book in Hakan Nesser's The Barbarotti Series. The fifth book in the series, The Axe Woman just made its debut, and it's a wonderful thing because Nesser's Detective Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti is one of the most unique fictional detectives in contemporary literature in my opinion.
In 1969 six friends were all living in the university town of Uppsala, Sweden. Rickard Berglund and Tomas Winckler had done their military service together, and now Rickard is studying theology with plans to become a pastor, whilst Tomas is more interested in business and having a good time. Rickard eventually meets Anna Jonsson, a journalism student, and Tomas becomes involved with Gunilla Rysth, and for a while they are inseparable. The foursome is often joined by Tomas's sister Maria, and her partner Germund Grooth. Everyone agrees that Maria and Germund are a little strange, but despite the distinct differences between them all the six forms an unlikely, but close friendship.
A few years after they'd all graduated and/or moved away from Uppsala the friends reunite for a weekend that ends in the tragic death of one of them. After a fruitless investigation, the friends go their separate ways, and it will be almost four decades before they are all drawn together again - though not in person.
35 years after one of them tragically died, another member of the estranged group is found dead in exactly the same place. Detective Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti and Inspector Eva Backman have been called in to not only investigate this new death, but they will also dig deep into the past and try to figure out whether the two deaths are somehow related.
"Three couples and one single person, that's the important part. And one of the couples no longer exists, because they died at precisely the same spot, thirty-five years apart."
As the two detectives begin to interview the old friends, it becomes evident that none of them plan to be very cooperative, and because they are all 35 years older, time and illness are having their cruel way with the group. The only connecting thread seems to be a bus trip all six friends took one summer through Eastern Europe - a trip that seems to be the reason they all eventually chose to go their separate ways.
The novel is a slow burn and one that ignites sparks of dark academia and mystery. Each chapter takes the point-of-view of each of the friends, as well as the occasional welcoming dip into the private lives of Barbarotti and Backman. With all the separate stories the narrative could easily have become complicated, but Nesser effortlessly manages to keep the span of each character's life safe in its own cocoon.
That being said this novel deals with a lot of serious issues including loss, sexual assault, politics, war, religion, and mortality. These are all heavy topics, and Nesser does not shy away from their long-lasting effect on his characters. Despite the 1960s setting, and the cozy university environment, there is a heaviness in the air, and that heaviness remains with those whose secrets have eaten away at them, leaving virtually nothing behind, not even the truth.
Hakan Nesser's The Lonely Ones is a story of friendship, and secrets, and two detectives whose own troubled lives may just get in the way of solving a decades-long crime.
July 2, 2013
Tijdens vakantie in Noord-Ierland heb ik 'De eenzamen' gelezen. Het verhaal zou zich probleemloos afgespeeld kunnen hebben in dit gebied vol rotsen, kliffen en mysteries, de onheilspellende sfeer in het boek sluit er naadloos op aan. De omgeving heeft ongetwijfeld een positief effect op mijn leesplezier gehad, maar ook thuis zou ik enorm van 'De eenzamen' genoten hebben.
Håkan Nesser op zijn best: tergend traag, vol onderhuidse spanning en met buitengewoon gedetailleerde karakterbeschrijvingen. Als lezer kruip je als het ware ín de hoofdpersonages, wier gedachtegangen afwisselend beangstigend en filosofisch zijn. Een prachtig en tegelijkertijd triest verhaal over menselijke deugden en tekortkomingen, een wonderschone compositie van een uitzonderlijk goed auteur!
Håkan Nesser op zijn best: tergend traag, vol onderhuidse spanning en met buitengewoon gedetailleerde karakterbeschrijvingen. Als lezer kruip je als het ware ín de hoofdpersonages, wier gedachtegangen afwisselend beangstigend en filosofisch zijn. Een prachtig en tegelijkertijd triest verhaal over menselijke deugden en tekortkomingen, een wonderschone compositie van een uitzonderlijk goed auteur!
May 1, 2022
I read so many crime novels that I am always thrilled when I find a fully original take, in this case the fact that we don’t know for sure whether there IS a crime until the final few pages. Here for it. Beautifully translated, as ever, and Nesser’s forensically detailed observations about human nature once again provide food for thought. A book where nothing really happens has rarely been so compelling.
December 1, 2024
“Everyone needs a big plan and a little one. The big one is for how you intend getting through life, the other one is for getting you through the day.” p8
Håkan Nesser has been described as the godfather of Swedish crime and his Detective Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti series does nothing to detract from this description. Nesser has this knack for delving into people in a way gives the reader the inside view of thoughts, feelings, wonderings, curiosities. Like a voyeuristic private front row seat into the raw humanity of a number of characters.
While Nesser is a master of plot development, neither the plot nor the characterisation compete with each other. They complement and support in a way that enables authentic interdependence and makes for the most satisfying reading experience for me.
Barbarotti is among my favourite Scandi Noir detectives. He is such a reflective man, gentle, soulful, and always seeking deeper meanings to the world around him. Barbarotti is deeply spiritual in a way that resonates. It’s authentic, questioning, and there is no doubt that his faith is real in its own expression. It is neither traditional nor radical. It is the search, the curiosity, the connection and the unafraidness to ask the harder questions and ponder on them. I’d love a drink with him to unpack faith - I think he and I would get on well.
The Lonely Ones is the fourth in the Barbarotti series, written in 2010 and translated to English in 2021. It really is a story about loneliness in so many ways, centring around 6 friends - 3 couples including one set of siblings. Spanning more than 35 years, it follows the seemingly suicidal or accidental death of Maria in 1975 and then the death of her then partner, Germund Grooth, 35 years later in the same spot in the same seeming circumstances. Layer upon layer of circumstance and event, with a number of pivotal moments, threads together in a way that only complicated ordinary life can.
I was enthralled by this book and it certainly confirmed my love for this series. I was slightly disappointed by the ending.. just kind of seemed mildly jarring for me. I don’t need a twist tbh, and in some ways the twist could have been less twisty. Probably the reason I’ll give this one 4 stars instead of 5.
Håkan Nesser has been described as the godfather of Swedish crime and his Detective Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti series does nothing to detract from this description. Nesser has this knack for delving into people in a way gives the reader the inside view of thoughts, feelings, wonderings, curiosities. Like a voyeuristic private front row seat into the raw humanity of a number of characters.
While Nesser is a master of plot development, neither the plot nor the characterisation compete with each other. They complement and support in a way that enables authentic interdependence and makes for the most satisfying reading experience for me.
Barbarotti is among my favourite Scandi Noir detectives. He is such a reflective man, gentle, soulful, and always seeking deeper meanings to the world around him. Barbarotti is deeply spiritual in a way that resonates. It’s authentic, questioning, and there is no doubt that his faith is real in its own expression. It is neither traditional nor radical. It is the search, the curiosity, the connection and the unafraidness to ask the harder questions and ponder on them. I’d love a drink with him to unpack faith - I think he and I would get on well.
The Lonely Ones is the fourth in the Barbarotti series, written in 2010 and translated to English in 2021. It really is a story about loneliness in so many ways, centring around 6 friends - 3 couples including one set of siblings. Spanning more than 35 years, it follows the seemingly suicidal or accidental death of Maria in 1975 and then the death of her then partner, Germund Grooth, 35 years later in the same spot in the same seeming circumstances. Layer upon layer of circumstance and event, with a number of pivotal moments, threads together in a way that only complicated ordinary life can.
I was enthralled by this book and it certainly confirmed my love for this series. I was slightly disappointed by the ending.. just kind of seemed mildly jarring for me. I don’t need a twist tbh, and in some ways the twist could have been less twisty. Probably the reason I’ll give this one 4 stars instead of 5.
April 5, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ The best part about this series is how different each book is from the other. Another slow paced crime, but kept my interest the entire way through. Nesser does a great job at keeping the answers just out of reach. Curious to see how this series will end in the next book.
January 28, 2026
Did what it said on the tin… as Scandi crime reads go I liked! And sometimes it’s nice not to read about intergenerational trauma ygm
January 18, 2022
Håkan Nesser is one of the most brilliant contemporary Scandinavian storytellers and even though most of his novels fall under the genre of crime fiction, his incisive prose transcends any kind of literary boundary with its sharpness and penetrating quality. A trademark of his remarkable work, this particular writing style illuminates the darkest corners of the characters' psyche by graphically illustrating their innermost thoughts and feelings in a way that makes them both plausible and relatable to the reader. The stories that he chooses to narrate are often dismal and a subtle aura of pessimism is pervading the majority of his texts. Nesser became widely known through his celebrated Inspector Van Veeteren series, consisting of eleven books in total, which has been adapted into television, starring Sven Wollter in the role of the brooding, soul-searching protagonist. In this series, the Swedish author introduced his readers to one of the most beloved fictitious cities in Nordic crime fiction, that is Maardam.
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/the-lo...
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/the-lo...
August 23, 2011
Un bel giallo di struttura classica con poca violenza e molto lavoro di indagine che scava nel passato e nei ricordi . Il punto di forza dell’ autore , in questo e negli altri libri dell’ ispettore Barbarotti e’ la meditazione continua del protagonista, che non si chiede mai chi abbia commesso un crimine, ma si interroga sempre sul perche’ sia stato commesso , arrivando cosi alla risoluzione.
La cosa peggiore del libro e' la traduzione del titolo (l' originale svedese suona piu' o meno come "il solitario") che non solo scimmiotta i titoli di Stieg Larsson, ma anticipa gia' parte della soluzione.
La cosa peggiore del libro e' la traduzione del titolo (l' originale svedese suona piu' o meno come "il solitario") che non solo scimmiotta i titoli di Stieg Larsson, ma anticipa gia' parte della soluzione.
March 16, 2019
Nesser heeft er een fan bij.
April 17, 2019
Again Nesser serves us a crime novel that is more about psychology than about hard action.
I love it.
I love it.
November 1, 2022
Dit boek draait om het leven en de gemoedstoestand van 6 jongeren, die elkaar voor het eerst ontmoeten rond hun studententijd. Idealen, existentiële gedachten en de impact van de vroege jeugd komen in verschillende vormen naar voren. Door persoonlijke grenzen geeft dit individueel een bepaalde eenzaamheid, waarvan het niet per sé de bedoeling is om die op te heffen; het is een fundamentele behoefte van de mens (vrij citaat). Dit zet eigenlijk de toon voor het hele verhaal. Deze 6 mensen zijn (wel of niet?) betrokken bij 2 incidenten die 35 jaar na elkaar op dezelfde locatie plaatsvinden. Barbarotti en Backman bijten er hun tanden op stuk. De lezer krijgt ondertussen scherper hoe het de 6 in de tijd vergaan is. Soms in “de oude tijd” vooral met het alter ego “de mus” , soms (veel) later in de tijd. Is een studentikoze busreis de mogelijke game changer?
B&B worden als altijd gedreven door waarheidsvinding. Ze komen er mede door chaotische aanpak nauwelijks verder mee. Is er überhaupt wel een misdaad? Beide sporen maken het een traag, maar continu meeslepend verhaal. Ook de onlogische aanpak van B&b langs de lijnen van hun gemoedstoestand en de ontwikkeling van hun relatie(s) houdt de illusie levend. En ondertussen gebeurt er nog veel meer. Zoals Barbarotti’s contact met God, dat achterin een taxi een geheel nieuwe dimensie krijgt. Alles komt mooi bij elkaar in een onverwachte climax. En Asunander krijgt weer gelijk.
B&B worden als altijd gedreven door waarheidsvinding. Ze komen er mede door chaotische aanpak nauwelijks verder mee. Is er überhaupt wel een misdaad? Beide sporen maken het een traag, maar continu meeslepend verhaal. Ook de onlogische aanpak van B&b langs de lijnen van hun gemoedstoestand en de ontwikkeling van hun relatie(s) houdt de illusie levend. En ondertussen gebeurt er nog veel meer. Zoals Barbarotti’s contact met God, dat achterin een taxi een geheel nieuwe dimensie krijgt. Alles komt mooi bij elkaar in een onverwachte climax. En Asunander krijgt weer gelijk.
April 13, 2017
Manchmal bereue ich es, einfach zu viel mit zu denken. Immerhin bei zwei Leichen, bin ich nur bei einer auf den Täter und das Motiv gekommen.
Der Aufbau mit den Zeitebenen hat mir gut gefallen, auch wenn es anfangs extrem verwirrend war. Auch das der Blickwinkel immer wieder gewechselt hat, war nicht schlecht. Trotzdem ging mir alles hier viel zu langsam voran. Es war nett aber genau das blieb es auch die meiste Zeit über. Daher von mir nur die 3 Sterne.
Der Aufbau mit den Zeitebenen hat mir gut gefallen, auch wenn es anfangs extrem verwirrend war. Auch das der Blickwinkel immer wieder gewechselt hat, war nicht schlecht. Trotzdem ging mir alles hier viel zu langsam voran. Es war nett aber genau das blieb es auch die meiste Zeit über. Daher von mir nur die 3 Sterne.
January 14, 2024
Hakan Nesser trzyma poziom. Niby za każdym razem jest dość podobnie, a jednak wciąga, bez poczucia straconego czasu. Imponujące, jak odmalował różne rodzaje samotności - para Maria i Germund to jedna z jego najbardziej udanych kreacji; podobnie Richard i Anna.
May 20, 2022
4,5
Het beste deel tot nu toe in de Barbarotti reeks.
Het beste deel tot nu toe in de Barbarotti reeks.
October 26, 2023
This was a very good book. I have read most of what this author has written as soon as it has become available. This book starts with the death of a man in the exact same spot as his girlfriend died 35 years earlier. The first death is linked to an event that occurred on a trip with friends to Eastern Europe before the first death. The trigger event was something the group never talked about. The story is very dark. None of the people in the group had any redeeming qualities. If you like dark evil tales of death and mystery this is a very good book to read.
March 15, 2025
Interesting tale of modern police work and the preceding narrative taking place over 35 years before hand.
July 17, 2014
De eenzamen is de vierde uit een serie van vijf thrillers van de Zweedse schrijver Hakan Nesser, waarin Barbarotti de hoofdrol speelt. De verhalen van deze serie zijn heel verschillend en los van elkaar te lezen, maar horen toch ook bij elkaar. Niet alleen omdat inspecteur Barbarotti in elk deel de hoofdrol speelt, maar vooral vanwege de melancholieke sfeer.
Onder aan de Gåsaklif ligt een lichaam van een man van rond de zestig. Het lijkt op zelfmoord. Maar het kan ook een ongeluk zijn. Maar het opmerkelijke van het geval is, dat op precies dezelfde plaats en precies vijfendertig jaar geleden er ook iemand is gestorven door van de klif te vallen, een jonge vrouw. Gunnar Barbarotti en Eva Backman krijgen van hun baas de opdracht het sterfgeval te onderzoeken. Het wordt nog vreemder: De dode man is Germund Grooth, die 35 jaar geleden de vriend was van Maria Winckler, de jonge vrouw, die toen gestorven was bij de klif. Dit lijkt op een zelfmoord, maar hoe zit het dan met Maria? Was dat een ongeval, zelfmoord of misschien toch moord? De politieman die zich destijds met het onderzoek bezighield, vermoedde dat er opzet in het spel was maar kon niets bewijzen. Eva is een heel erg gedreven politievrouw en is vastberaden om tot op de bodem te gaan in deze nieuwe zaak.
Het verhaal van Gunnar en Eva wordt afgewisseld met een verhaal uit het verleden. Het is het verhaal van zes jonge studenten, die elkaar in 1969 hebben leren kennen in de universiteitsstad Uppsala. Rickard en Thomas raken bevriend. Later komen hun vriendinnen Anna en Gunilla erbij. Maria, de zus van Thomas, met haar vriend Germund maken ook deel uit van de vriendengroep. De gebeurtenissen die vooraf gaan aan de tragische gebeurtenis op 28 september 1975, worden uiteengezet. De lezer wordt nieuwsgierig naar wat er gebeurd is. Barbarotti en Eva spitten de verhoren door, die destijds gemaakt zijn. Ze besluiten om iedereen, die er toen mee te maken had, opnieuw te verhoren.
Nesser weeft deze twee verhalen soepel in elkaar. Hij beschrijft de gebeurtenissen vanuit verschillende personages. De spanning wordt langzaam opgebouwd tot de verrassende ontknoping. Alle personen in het verhaal zijn eenzaam, op hun eigen manier. De karakters worden goed uitgediept. Hakan Nesser weet de mens goed te doorgronden. De psychologische thriller gaat over verhoudingen tussen mensen en de gevolgen hiervan wanneer die mensen de aandacht en liefde, die ze nodig hebben, moeten ontberen. Zijn schrijfstijl is mooi en bedrieglijk eenvoudig. De inspecteurs hebben te maken met jaloezie, verlies en wraak. Toch moeten zij ook omgaan met de moeilijkheden in hun eigen leven. Zo leren we Eva en Barbarotti weer een beetje meer kennen. Eva is net gescheiden en heeft moeite met het opvoeden van de kinderen, naast haar werk. Barbarotti woont nu samen met Marianne en hun vijf kinderen. Hij is er heel gelukkig mee, maar op een gegeven moment beseft hij ook, dat je niet alles als vanzelfsprekend moet beschouwen; dat geluk heel kwetsbaar is.
Onder aan de Gåsaklif ligt een lichaam van een man van rond de zestig. Het lijkt op zelfmoord. Maar het kan ook een ongeluk zijn. Maar het opmerkelijke van het geval is, dat op precies dezelfde plaats en precies vijfendertig jaar geleden er ook iemand is gestorven door van de klif te vallen, een jonge vrouw. Gunnar Barbarotti en Eva Backman krijgen van hun baas de opdracht het sterfgeval te onderzoeken. Het wordt nog vreemder: De dode man is Germund Grooth, die 35 jaar geleden de vriend was van Maria Winckler, de jonge vrouw, die toen gestorven was bij de klif. Dit lijkt op een zelfmoord, maar hoe zit het dan met Maria? Was dat een ongeval, zelfmoord of misschien toch moord? De politieman die zich destijds met het onderzoek bezighield, vermoedde dat er opzet in het spel was maar kon niets bewijzen. Eva is een heel erg gedreven politievrouw en is vastberaden om tot op de bodem te gaan in deze nieuwe zaak.
Het verhaal van Gunnar en Eva wordt afgewisseld met een verhaal uit het verleden. Het is het verhaal van zes jonge studenten, die elkaar in 1969 hebben leren kennen in de universiteitsstad Uppsala. Rickard en Thomas raken bevriend. Later komen hun vriendinnen Anna en Gunilla erbij. Maria, de zus van Thomas, met haar vriend Germund maken ook deel uit van de vriendengroep. De gebeurtenissen die vooraf gaan aan de tragische gebeurtenis op 28 september 1975, worden uiteengezet. De lezer wordt nieuwsgierig naar wat er gebeurd is. Barbarotti en Eva spitten de verhoren door, die destijds gemaakt zijn. Ze besluiten om iedereen, die er toen mee te maken had, opnieuw te verhoren.
Nesser weeft deze twee verhalen soepel in elkaar. Hij beschrijft de gebeurtenissen vanuit verschillende personages. De spanning wordt langzaam opgebouwd tot de verrassende ontknoping. Alle personen in het verhaal zijn eenzaam, op hun eigen manier. De karakters worden goed uitgediept. Hakan Nesser weet de mens goed te doorgronden. De psychologische thriller gaat over verhoudingen tussen mensen en de gevolgen hiervan wanneer die mensen de aandacht en liefde, die ze nodig hebben, moeten ontberen. Zijn schrijfstijl is mooi en bedrieglijk eenvoudig. De inspecteurs hebben te maken met jaloezie, verlies en wraak. Toch moeten zij ook omgaan met de moeilijkheden in hun eigen leven. Zo leren we Eva en Barbarotti weer een beetje meer kennen. Eva is net gescheiden en heeft moeite met het opvoeden van de kinderen, naast haar werk. Barbarotti woont nu samen met Marianne en hun vijf kinderen. Hij is er heel gelukkig mee, maar op een gegeven moment beseft hij ook, dat je niet alles als vanzelfsprekend moet beschouwen; dat geluk heel kwetsbaar is.
January 3, 2023
De Eenzamen. Hakan Nesser.
De vierde Barbarotti-thriller. Dat ik er al vier heb gelezen op relatief korte tijd, is veelzeggend: ze bevallen me zeer. Het stramien is telkens hetzelfde: er worden minstens zoveel bladzijden besteed aan de belevenissen en gedachtengangen van de verschillende hoofdpersonages (daders/slachtoffers) als aan die van inspecteur Barbarotti en collega Eva Backman. Ook van deze twee neemt het privéleven een belangrijke plaats in, bij Barbarotti zelfs zozeer, dat zijn politiewerk op de achtergrond verdwijnt. De psychologische opbouw van het hele verhaal, dat zich over bijna een mensenleven uitstrekt (van 1958 tot 2010) is subliem, en wars van alle actiescènes, haastigheid en hyperemogezeik dat de meeste hedendaagse thrillers ontsiert. De evolutie van de personages is mooi onderbouwd, consistent en traag. Sommigen zijn van in het begin al een beetje raar, zonder dat het ook maar enigszins stoort. Het lijken wel mensen. Mooie thriller, hoewel, veel gethrill is er niet, en dat bedoel ik positief.
De vierde Barbarotti-thriller. Dat ik er al vier heb gelezen op relatief korte tijd, is veelzeggend: ze bevallen me zeer. Het stramien is telkens hetzelfde: er worden minstens zoveel bladzijden besteed aan de belevenissen en gedachtengangen van de verschillende hoofdpersonages (daders/slachtoffers) als aan die van inspecteur Barbarotti en collega Eva Backman. Ook van deze twee neemt het privéleven een belangrijke plaats in, bij Barbarotti zelfs zozeer, dat zijn politiewerk op de achtergrond verdwijnt. De psychologische opbouw van het hele verhaal, dat zich over bijna een mensenleven uitstrekt (van 1958 tot 2010) is subliem, en wars van alle actiescènes, haastigheid en hyperemogezeik dat de meeste hedendaagse thrillers ontsiert. De evolutie van de personages is mooi onderbouwd, consistent en traag. Sommigen zijn van in het begin al een beetje raar, zonder dat het ook maar enigszins stoort. Het lijken wel mensen. Mooie thriller, hoewel, veel gethrill is er niet, en dat bedoel ik positief.
January 22, 2022
The Lonely Ones, Barbarotti #4. Håkan Nesser. Pre ordered iBook
I really enjoy all of this writer’s books, two series and stand alone. This was quite different! But a very good read.
The Lonely Ones is the fourth novel of Håkan Nesser’s quintet about Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti. With Eva Backman investigating along side him. Both their personal lives are included as the two encounter a death that occurs at the same location 35 years later where the partner of the deceased also died!
A group of 6 friends meet during their study time in 1969 and socialize including buying a bus and making a trip together behind the Iron Curtain in the 70s that would change their lives forever . . .
Interesting storyline and the three couples are well explored but so are the lives of the two detectives making the past and the future quite intertwined. I sure did not expect the ending nor the epilogue….
I really enjoy all of this writer’s books, two series and stand alone. This was quite different! But a very good read.
The Lonely Ones is the fourth novel of Håkan Nesser’s quintet about Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti. With Eva Backman investigating along side him. Both their personal lives are included as the two encounter a death that occurs at the same location 35 years later where the partner of the deceased also died!
A group of 6 friends meet during their study time in 1969 and socialize including buying a bus and making a trip together behind the Iron Curtain in the 70s that would change their lives forever . . .
Interesting storyline and the three couples are well explored but so are the lives of the two detectives making the past and the future quite intertwined. I sure did not expect the ending nor the epilogue….
October 5, 2022
Een opmerking die geldt voor heel de Barbarotti-reeks :
In de Nederlandse vertaling worden deze boeken aangeboden als literaire thrillers en dat is eigenlijk jammer.
In de eerste plaats omdat mensen die afhaken bij het woord 'thriller' zo een prachtige roman gaan missen.
En dubbel jammer omdat lezers die juist afkomen op het etiket 'thriller' waarschijnlijk teleurgesteld gaan zijn wegens de zwakke spanningsboog en het vaak traag verlopende verhaal.
Wat zijn deze boeken dan wel : heel simpel, prachtige romans met een vleugje spanning weliswaar maar waarbij vooral gaat over complexe, vaak dysfunctionele intermenselijke relaties.
In de Nederlandse vertaling worden deze boeken aangeboden als literaire thrillers en dat is eigenlijk jammer.
In de eerste plaats omdat mensen die afhaken bij het woord 'thriller' zo een prachtige roman gaan missen.
En dubbel jammer omdat lezers die juist afkomen op het etiket 'thriller' waarschijnlijk teleurgesteld gaan zijn wegens de zwakke spanningsboog en het vaak traag verlopende verhaal.
Wat zijn deze boeken dan wel : heel simpel, prachtige romans met een vleugje spanning weliswaar maar waarbij vooral gaat over complexe, vaak dysfunctionele intermenselijke relaties.
April 8, 2016
E' un libro molto strano. Strana la trama, che molto a lungo vaga qua e là, riempiendosi di spunti e di argomenti senza che si capisca bene dove i due investigatori vogliano andare a parare. Strani più o meno tutti i personaggi, e di questi i meno strani sono proprio i due che si autodefiniscono disturbati. Strano, sempre più strano il rapporto di Barbarotti con dio, un rapporto che è iniziato all'inizio della serie dedicata a questo personaggio, e che non riesco ancora a collocare nell'economia del racconto.
Scritto come sempre benissimo, e con un finale spiazzante.
Scritto come sempre benissimo, e con un finale spiazzante.
December 30, 2020
Neljäs Gunnar Barbarotti -dekkari. Viisikymppinen mies putoaa jyrkänteeltä - samalta, jolta hänen morsiamensa oli pudonnut 35 vuotta aiemmin. Pariskunta oli kuulunut opiskelijaporukkaan 70-luvun Uppsalassa.
Barbarotti-sarjassa paino on ennemminkin ihmissuhteissa ja psykologiassa kuin itse rikoksissa ja niiden selvittelyssä. Opiskelijaporukka jää kuitenkin aika etäiseksi, ratkaisu on pitkällisen jahkailun jälkeen aika äkkinäinen, eikä edes Barbarottin perhe-elämän ja merkillisen jumalasuhteen kuvaus koukuta yhtä paljon kuin edellissä osissa. Ihan ok kirja silti.
Barbarotti-sarjassa paino on ennemminkin ihmissuhteissa ja psykologiassa kuin itse rikoksissa ja niiden selvittelyssä. Opiskelijaporukka jää kuitenkin aika etäiseksi, ratkaisu on pitkällisen jahkailun jälkeen aika äkkinäinen, eikä edes Barbarottin perhe-elämän ja merkillisen jumalasuhteen kuvaus koukuta yhtä paljon kuin edellissä osissa. Ihan ok kirja silti.
November 5, 2021
Nesser is a master storyteller. The most exciting element in his work is his magnificent characterization and well-crafted prose.
The Lonely Ones, as are all of the Barbarotti novels, is more a phycological book than an action. And this is just fine.
This is a very sad book. The story begins sad, it ends sad, it is sad in the middle. And Nesser's control of language is such that the sadness of these characters and their lives and this story comes through. Not a joyous read. But a powerful story.
A heavy lift but a satisfying heavy lift.
The Lonely Ones, as are all of the Barbarotti novels, is more a phycological book than an action. And this is just fine.
This is a very sad book. The story begins sad, it ends sad, it is sad in the middle. And Nesser's control of language is such that the sadness of these characters and their lives and this story comes through. Not a joyous read. But a powerful story.
A heavy lift but a satisfying heavy lift.
November 16, 2021
A Scandinavian police procedural resolving the unexplained deaths of two individuals in a group of 6 former college students some 35 years apart. Slow moving and oftentimes difficult to follow with many switches in perspective and time without many cues. Neither a crime nor psychological thriller (no thrills here), but definitely required the development of an understanding of the psychology of all the characters involved. Until the end the reader will be guessing what actually went on. Well written but somewhat tough to read. Marginal 4, maybe less.
May 1, 2012
Il libro in se è interessante, la trama avvincente, il finale a sorpresa. Tutti gli ingredienti giusti per fare un buon romanzo giallo.Ma non ho potuto fare a meno di notare la notevole differenza tra questo libro e gli ultimi che ho letto di Vichi e Camilleri, dove la caratterizzazione dei personaggi, la profondità delle riflessioni a loro attribuite crea veramente un abisso a favore degli autori italiani.
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