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Kåda
Det är inte alltid så lätt för Liv att förstå sin omvärld. Då är det tur att hon har en pappa som Jens, som är så duktig på att förklara allting: Varför mamma blivit så stor att hon inte kan lämna sovrummet, varför man inte ska gå i skolan. Och framför allt varför man måste döda farmor...
Kåda är en mångbottnad spänningsroman. Men det är samtidigt en roman om lojalitet och om rädslan för att förlora det man har. Ane Riel berättar genom flera röster om en familj i sönderfall och om tragedin som fått livet att krackelera.
Kåda är en mångbottnad spänningsroman. Men det är samtidigt en roman om lojalitet och om rädslan för att förlora det man har. Ane Riel berättar genom flera röster om en familj i sönderfall och om tragedin som fått livet att krackelera.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2015
108 people are currently reading
3793 people want to read
About the author
Ane Riel
5 books157 followersAne Riel is a Danish author. Her works include four fiction novels and, most recently, a short story collection:
- SMÅ STØD (Cuts and Bruises), short stories 2023
- URVÆRK (Clockwork), novel 2021
- BÆST (Beast), novel 2019
- HARPIKS (Resin), novel 2015
- SLAGTEREN I LISELEJE (Slagteren i Liseleje), novel 2013
Riel is often described as a new, exciting voice with a refreshingly quirky and original take on language and narrative. She likes to deal with the tortured or conflicted mind and enjoys pushing the plot to its sickest, darkest, even most grotesque limits. And yet the story never becomes unequivocally bleak or depressing since its characters and their actions are depicted with a degree of understanding, compassion and often, humour.
A fascination with contrasts and differ from the norm is a defining characteristic of Riel’s authorship. The same can be said of small, surprising twists that take the plot in unexpected directions.
Ane Riel debuted as a novelist in 2013 with THE BUTCHER OF LISELEJE (Slagteren i Liseleje). This humorous and grotesque tale won a debut award in Denmark and was soon sold to Germany and Norway.
However, Riel’s popular literary breakthrough came in 2015 with her second novel RESIN (Harpiks), a psychological drama about the little daughter of a hoarder.
RESIN has been sold to 31 countries including China, Spain, Germany and France. Also, the novel has won several national and international awards, including the Glass Key in 2016, claiming its spot as that year’s best Nordic thriller. Scroll down to read more about the awards.
It goes for both RESIN and THE BUTCHER OF LISELEJE that they were written and published in Denmark purely as works of literary fiction, and yet they were also welcomed into the crime genre. In some countries RESIN has since been presented as a thriller. Ane Riel herself regards RESIN as a psychological drama, not a thriller.
BEAST (Bæst), her third novel, is an epic story inspired by a true case of an unusually strong baby and with references to John Steinbeck’s work. The story is taking place in a rural setting somewhere in southern Europe. BEAST came out in Denmark in the Fall of 2019 and has been sold to six countries so far incl. Italy, Sweden, Germany and The Netherlands.
With her novel CLOCKWORK (Urværk) from 2021 Ane Riel returns to a setting of a tiny village in Denmark and a story involving only a very few people – unless you regard old clocks as people too. The novel is a loving portrayal of an old, demented woman living alone with an antique grandfather’s clock and the hazy memories of a marriage that didn’t end quite as it was supposed to. CLOCKWORK has been sold to the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Finland and Germany.
In 2023 Riel published her first short story collection, CUTS AND BRUISES (Små stød). All of the 11 short stories deal with death and loss, however in very different ways. Some tackle the subject with humor, others are melancholic, some are bizarre. In the end, though, all are dead serious. The final short story is a very personal account of the loss of a beloved mother.
To find out more about the books, read reviews, find press material etc. please go to
Ane Riel's official website (Danish and English)
AWARDS and nominations:
For CLOCKWORK
- shortlisted for the ThrillZone Award 2022
For RESIN
- The Glass Key / Best Nordic suspense novel 2016
- The Harald Mogensen Award / Best Danish suspense novel 2016
- Den Gyllene Kofoten / Best suspence novel translated into Swedish 2017
- The Golden Bullet / Best suspense novel translated into Norwegian 2017
- The ThrillZone Award (The Jury Prize) / Best thriller translated into Dutch 2019
- Finalist for The Danish Broadcasting Company’s Best Novel Award 2016
- Shortlisted for The Petrona Award 2018 / Best Scandinavian suspense novel coming out in the UK
- Nominated for The Readers’ Best Novel Award 2016
- Nominated
- SMÅ STØD (Cuts and Bruises), short stories 2023
- URVÆRK (Clockwork), novel 2021
- BÆST (Beast), novel 2019
- HARPIKS (Resin), novel 2015
- SLAGTEREN I LISELEJE (Slagteren i Liseleje), novel 2013
Riel is often described as a new, exciting voice with a refreshingly quirky and original take on language and narrative. She likes to deal with the tortured or conflicted mind and enjoys pushing the plot to its sickest, darkest, even most grotesque limits. And yet the story never becomes unequivocally bleak or depressing since its characters and their actions are depicted with a degree of understanding, compassion and often, humour.
A fascination with contrasts and differ from the norm is a defining characteristic of Riel’s authorship. The same can be said of small, surprising twists that take the plot in unexpected directions.
Ane Riel debuted as a novelist in 2013 with THE BUTCHER OF LISELEJE (Slagteren i Liseleje). This humorous and grotesque tale won a debut award in Denmark and was soon sold to Germany and Norway.
However, Riel’s popular literary breakthrough came in 2015 with her second novel RESIN (Harpiks), a psychological drama about the little daughter of a hoarder.
RESIN has been sold to 31 countries including China, Spain, Germany and France. Also, the novel has won several national and international awards, including the Glass Key in 2016, claiming its spot as that year’s best Nordic thriller. Scroll down to read more about the awards.
It goes for both RESIN and THE BUTCHER OF LISELEJE that they were written and published in Denmark purely as works of literary fiction, and yet they were also welcomed into the crime genre. In some countries RESIN has since been presented as a thriller. Ane Riel herself regards RESIN as a psychological drama, not a thriller.
BEAST (Bæst), her third novel, is an epic story inspired by a true case of an unusually strong baby and with references to John Steinbeck’s work. The story is taking place in a rural setting somewhere in southern Europe. BEAST came out in Denmark in the Fall of 2019 and has been sold to six countries so far incl. Italy, Sweden, Germany and The Netherlands.
With her novel CLOCKWORK (Urværk) from 2021 Ane Riel returns to a setting of a tiny village in Denmark and a story involving only a very few people – unless you regard old clocks as people too. The novel is a loving portrayal of an old, demented woman living alone with an antique grandfather’s clock and the hazy memories of a marriage that didn’t end quite as it was supposed to. CLOCKWORK has been sold to the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Finland and Germany.
In 2023 Riel published her first short story collection, CUTS AND BRUISES (Små stød). All of the 11 short stories deal with death and loss, however in very different ways. Some tackle the subject with humor, others are melancholic, some are bizarre. In the end, though, all are dead serious. The final short story is a very personal account of the loss of a beloved mother.
To find out more about the books, read reviews, find press material etc. please go to
Ane Riel's official website (Danish and English)
AWARDS and nominations:
For CLOCKWORK
- shortlisted for the ThrillZone Award 2022
For RESIN
- The Glass Key / Best Nordic suspense novel 2016
- The Harald Mogensen Award / Best Danish suspense novel 2016
- Den Gyllene Kofoten / Best suspence novel translated into Swedish 2017
- The Golden Bullet / Best suspense novel translated into Norwegian 2017
- The ThrillZone Award (The Jury Prize) / Best thriller translated into Dutch 2019
- Finalist for The Danish Broadcasting Company’s Best Novel Award 2016
- Shortlisted for The Petrona Award 2018 / Best Scandinavian suspense novel coming out in the UK
- Nominated for The Readers’ Best Novel Award 2016
- Nominated
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 781 reviews
July 27, 2018
You know when you watch a scary movie and you really don't want to look, well, "Resin" made me feel like that but for some inexplicable strange reason I COULDN'T tear my eyes away! Such a hauntingly creepy, chilling and disturbing story yet beautifully atmospheric and at times emotional and tender.
Blurb - His father, his brother, his son had taught him - whoever leaves him will never come back. Liv died when she was just six years old. At least, that's what the authorities think. But behind the boxes and baskets crowding her Dad's workshop, Liv is hiding. This way her Dad had said, she'd never have to go to school; this way she'd never leave her parents. This way, Liv would be safe.....
I'm not too sure there's much I can say about the storyline without giving much away other than what the blurb tells you, which leaves you completely intrigued and desperate to read but the fact that I have never read anything like it EVER before makes it a unique and very original read that packs a punch around every corner.
The characters are brilliant, disliking them one minute but then feeling sorry for them soon after. Jens' character was particularly well thought out and I could picture him so clearly. Young Liv was pivotal to the story and I enjoyed so much reading her thoughts and actions. When Roald entered the story, the mounting dread of what could happen when the house and family was discovered, kept me turning the pages and it didn't disappoint, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension.
There were a couple of triggers in the book, which although didn't effect me at all could to some - so if baby deaths and animal cruelty do upset you then best be warned. However, the issues were paramount to the story and in no way were meant to cause upset or distress and were handled perfectly.
So well written and imaginatively created, this book deserves all the awards it's had in Scandinavia and it's definitely a one which will continue to stay with me a very long time. After the tense conclusion to the book and the jaw dropping last page, I'm going to seriously miss this dark book in a warped way and I truly wish the author Ane Riel every success with this fabulously written book!
All the stars and then some!!
Blurb - His father, his brother, his son had taught him - whoever leaves him will never come back. Liv died when she was just six years old. At least, that's what the authorities think. But behind the boxes and baskets crowding her Dad's workshop, Liv is hiding. This way her Dad had said, she'd never have to go to school; this way she'd never leave her parents. This way, Liv would be safe.....
I'm not too sure there's much I can say about the storyline without giving much away other than what the blurb tells you, which leaves you completely intrigued and desperate to read but the fact that I have never read anything like it EVER before makes it a unique and very original read that packs a punch around every corner.
The characters are brilliant, disliking them one minute but then feeling sorry for them soon after. Jens' character was particularly well thought out and I could picture him so clearly. Young Liv was pivotal to the story and I enjoyed so much reading her thoughts and actions. When Roald entered the story, the mounting dread of what could happen when the house and family was discovered, kept me turning the pages and it didn't disappoint, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension.
There were a couple of triggers in the book, which although didn't effect me at all could to some - so if baby deaths and animal cruelty do upset you then best be warned. However, the issues were paramount to the story and in no way were meant to cause upset or distress and were handled perfectly.
So well written and imaginatively created, this book deserves all the awards it's had in Scandinavia and it's definitely a one which will continue to stay with me a very long time. After the tense conclusion to the book and the jaw dropping last page, I'm going to seriously miss this dark book in a warped way and I truly wish the author Ane Riel every success with this fabulously written book!
All the stars and then some!!
September 20, 2018
"My name is Liv. And I'm not dead."
I knew this was going to be a dark read, and I thought I was prepared, but the first chapter of this book left me so bereft of stillness I had to set it aside for a day.
"One of the first things I remember from the Head is the smell of fresh resin: the funny tickling in my nose, the sticky feeling in the palm of my hands and Dad's calm voice telling me about the sap in the tree. It was a strange sap, he said, because it could protect against attack, heal wounds and preserve small dead animals forever and ever."
This book is told from many angles but, without a doubt, it is the voice of six year old Liv that breathes life into this haunting and claustrophobic story.
"Somehow it was nice that we were together, all three of us: my twin brother, our baby sister and me. All of us dead.
Except that I was only reported dead."
Liv has been raised her entire life on an isolated island called the Head, by her mother and father, both of whom are dealing with their own terrifying reality in equally destructive ways. The innocent accounting of Liv's everyday life as being perfectly normal is perhaps the most disturbing part of this book. Through Liv's eyes, Ane Riel has created an immersive and atmospheric tale full of not only visual stimuli, but of sounds and smells that wrap around you, transporting you into the suffocating environment of which Liv finds herself.
This story will no doubt make you question your idea of what is right and what is wrong and to what lengths you would go to protect that which is of the utmost importance to you, especially after everything else you ever loved has been taken away.
To say the ending is startling is an understatement, leaving little question as to the repercussions of Liv's upbringing.
My review is vague for reason, I believe this book is best enjoyed when the reader goes in blindly. To give too much away would take away from the jarring narrative in this story. I recommend not reading other reviews as I have, after finishing the book, perused them and find that most give away entirely too much.
I knew this was going to be a dark read, and I thought I was prepared, but the first chapter of this book left me so bereft of stillness I had to set it aside for a day.
"One of the first things I remember from the Head is the smell of fresh resin: the funny tickling in my nose, the sticky feeling in the palm of my hands and Dad's calm voice telling me about the sap in the tree. It was a strange sap, he said, because it could protect against attack, heal wounds and preserve small dead animals forever and ever."
This book is told from many angles but, without a doubt, it is the voice of six year old Liv that breathes life into this haunting and claustrophobic story.
"Somehow it was nice that we were together, all three of us: my twin brother, our baby sister and me. All of us dead.
Except that I was only reported dead."
Liv has been raised her entire life on an isolated island called the Head, by her mother and father, both of whom are dealing with their own terrifying reality in equally destructive ways. The innocent accounting of Liv's everyday life as being perfectly normal is perhaps the most disturbing part of this book. Through Liv's eyes, Ane Riel has created an immersive and atmospheric tale full of not only visual stimuli, but of sounds and smells that wrap around you, transporting you into the suffocating environment of which Liv finds herself.
This story will no doubt make you question your idea of what is right and what is wrong and to what lengths you would go to protect that which is of the utmost importance to you, especially after everything else you ever loved has been taken away.
To say the ending is startling is an understatement, leaving little question as to the repercussions of Liv's upbringing.
My review is vague for reason, I believe this book is best enjoyed when the reader goes in blindly. To give too much away would take away from the jarring narrative in this story. I recommend not reading other reviews as I have, after finishing the book, perused them and find that most give away entirely too much.
November 25, 2021
Hoy les traigo una novela que me regaló el año pasado mi alma gemela lectoril (imagínense la de pendientes que tengo 😂) y ha resultado ser un descubrimiento de autora.
Ane Riel nos va metiendo poco a poco en las vicisitudes de una familia muy peculiar (Jens, Maria y la pequeña Liv) que viven apartados del resto del continente en un lugar al que llaman La Cabeza, y al que se accede por un istmo al que llaman El Cuello, en plena naturaleza Liv aprenderá de su padre lo más importante para sobrevivir, poco necesitarán del resto de la civilización para salir adelante. Ellos solos se bastan para todo.
Pero paulatinamente todo se irá emponzoñando a raíz de una serie de tragedias.
Principalmente conoceremos los hechos a través de los pensamientos de Liv y las cartas que le dejó su madre, pero también en tercera persona conoceremos el punto de vista de otros personajes pero desde una perspectiva menos profunda.
Me lo he imaginado todo al dedillo, me ha encantado esa localización, las costumbres, lo que narra y como lo narra.
Con una prosa muy cuidada y elaborada Ane nos mete de lleno en la vida de una estrafalaria familia.
Aunque lo quieran catalogar de novela negra y así la encontraremos en la sección de la librería, es un drama con todas las letras, aunque también tiene pinceladas de thriller es más un drama familiar.
La historia tiene, en general, un tono bastante deprimente.
Falla algo en el ritmo que no llega a ser del todo fluido, pero consigue mantenerte en tensión por saber qué pasará. Los hechos que narra me han encogido el corazón de la impotencia y el dolor tan grande que desprenden sus páginas.
De ese miedo tan grande que todos tenemos a perder a los que más queremos.
Es una novela donde queda muy patente lo peligroso que puede llegar a ser la sobre protección. Y para bien o para mal, como puede llegar a modular nuestras conductas el entorno familiar.
A mi me ha gustado y sí la recomiendo 😊 ¿Y tú? ¿Te atreves a conocer los secretos de esta singular familia?
🌲"No sé si nuestra vida ha sido un cuento de hadas o una historia de terror. ¿Tal vez un poco de cada? Espero que logres ver lo que ha tenido de cuento."
🌲 "La resina tenía algo que fascinaba a Jens. Podía sanar y preservar. Pero también podía matar."
🌲 "¿Se puede existir estando muerto? Parece que si. Yo también estaba viva, aunque estaba muerta."
📖 Próxima lectura:
"El caso Hartung" de Søren Sveistrup.
📚 https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 📚
Ane Riel nos va metiendo poco a poco en las vicisitudes de una familia muy peculiar (Jens, Maria y la pequeña Liv) que viven apartados del resto del continente en un lugar al que llaman La Cabeza, y al que se accede por un istmo al que llaman El Cuello, en plena naturaleza Liv aprenderá de su padre lo más importante para sobrevivir, poco necesitarán del resto de la civilización para salir adelante. Ellos solos se bastan para todo.
Pero paulatinamente todo se irá emponzoñando a raíz de una serie de tragedias.
Principalmente conoceremos los hechos a través de los pensamientos de Liv y las cartas que le dejó su madre, pero también en tercera persona conoceremos el punto de vista de otros personajes pero desde una perspectiva menos profunda.
Me lo he imaginado todo al dedillo, me ha encantado esa localización, las costumbres, lo que narra y como lo narra.
Con una prosa muy cuidada y elaborada Ane nos mete de lleno en la vida de una estrafalaria familia.
Aunque lo quieran catalogar de novela negra y así la encontraremos en la sección de la librería, es un drama con todas las letras, aunque también tiene pinceladas de thriller es más un drama familiar.
La historia tiene, en general, un tono bastante deprimente.
Falla algo en el ritmo que no llega a ser del todo fluido, pero consigue mantenerte en tensión por saber qué pasará. Los hechos que narra me han encogido el corazón de la impotencia y el dolor tan grande que desprenden sus páginas.
De ese miedo tan grande que todos tenemos a perder a los que más queremos.
Es una novela donde queda muy patente lo peligroso que puede llegar a ser la sobre protección. Y para bien o para mal, como puede llegar a modular nuestras conductas el entorno familiar.
A mi me ha gustado y sí la recomiendo 😊 ¿Y tú? ¿Te atreves a conocer los secretos de esta singular familia?
🌲"No sé si nuestra vida ha sido un cuento de hadas o una historia de terror. ¿Tal vez un poco de cada? Espero que logres ver lo que ha tenido de cuento."
🌲 "La resina tenía algo que fascinaba a Jens. Podía sanar y preservar. Pero también podía matar."
🌲 "¿Se puede existir estando muerto? Parece que si. Yo también estaba viva, aunque estaba muerta."
📖 Próxima lectura:
"El caso Hartung" de Søren Sveistrup.
📚 https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 📚
October 24, 2022
252 страници чист, пълзящ (както е написала Веси), психологиски ужас! Точно както бръшляна се увива около сградите, така и мен ме побиваха тръпки, докато четях романа.
Въпреки че анотацията много добре дава идея какво ни очаква на страниците на книгата се оказах абсолютно неподготвена.
“Смола” определено не е книга, която мога да препоръчам на всеки, но определено е майсторски написан роман, който слагам в топ любими за 2022г. Ане Рил пише уникално щ и начина, по който изгражда образите е нечовешки добър. Това, че е избрала да представи историята през погледа на малката Лив ми повлия изключително силно. Ако трябва да обобщя в едно изречение какво си взех от книгата - човешката психика е много крехка. Психологическата травма в ранно детство, която не отработена с психолог оставя необратими щети и води до психични заболявания.
Семейството на Лив живее изключително изолирано насред гората на един полустров, далеч от най-близкото населено място. Още с първото изречение Ане Рил ни вкарва в епицентъра на ужаса - “Беше тъмно в бялата стая, когато баща ми уби баба ми. Аз бях там.” Това се случва сутринта преди Коледа…
Авторката ни запознава с детството на бащата на Лив - Йенс Хордер и какво води до зловещата трансформация, която настъпва у него в следствие на загуба в детството и един кошмарен инцидент на по-късен етап. Ако трябва да бъда честна не можах да го намразя изцяло. Запознавайки се с историята му ми стана някак тъжно, макар и да предчувствах какво ни чака.
Засяга се и темата деца родители и по-скоро нюанса на отношенията властна майка и син. Авторката изключително умело представя гледните точки на всеки един от героите си. Успях изцяло да се потопя във вътрешния им свят. Малката Лив - толкова ми беше мъчно за това момиченце. Буквално на физическо ниво усещах какво преживява.
УНИКАЛНА книга!
Въпреки че анотацията много добре дава идея какво ни очаква на страниците на книгата се оказах абсолютно неподготвена.
“Смола” определено не е книга, която мога да препоръчам на всеки, но определено е майсторски написан роман, който слагам в топ любими за 2022г. Ане Рил пише уникално щ и начина, по който изгражда образите е нечовешки добър. Това, че е избрала да представи историята през погледа на малката Лив ми повлия изключително силно. Ако трябва да обобщя в едно изречение какво си взех от книгата - човешката психика е много крехка. Психологическата травма в ранно детство, която не отработена с психолог оставя необратими щети и води до психични заболявания.
Семейството на Лив живее изключително изолирано насред гората на един полустров, далеч от най-близкото населено място. Още с първото изречение Ане Рил ни вкарва в епицентъра на ужаса - “Беше тъмно в бялата стая, когато баща ми уби баба ми. Аз бях там.” Това се случва сутринта преди Коледа…
Авторката ни запознава с детството на бащата на Лив - Йенс Хордер и какво води до зловещата трансформация, която настъпва у него в следствие на загуба в детството и един кошмарен инцидент на по-късен етап. Ако трябва да бъда честна не можах да го намразя изцяло. Запознавайки се с историята му ми стана някак тъжно, макар и да предчувствах какво ни чака.
Засяга се и темата деца родители и по-скоро нюанса на отношенията властна майка и син. Авторката изключително умело представя гледните точки на всеки един от героите си. Успях изцяло да се потопя във вътрешния им свят. Малката Лив - толкова ми беше мъчно за това момиченце. Буквално на физическо ниво усещах какво преживява.
УНИКАЛНА книга!
August 30, 2021
ㅤDamn, this book is psychotic. I like that.
September 3, 2018
I learned that you should be careful who you choose to marry because they can double in size without warning. Also, little kids don’t mind if you tell them they are dead. Also, if you cram your house with junk and let rabbits, rats and mice run riot there will be a bad smell. Also, that your dad might be really lovely and kind but also profoundly mentally ill. Also, that a book can carefully build up a very convincing picture of a family’s descent into insanity but then nearly wreck the whole thing with a horrible cliché ending right out of a Victorian melodrama. And finally, that people who say this book is thrillingly unique have never read The Wasp Factory by Ian Banks.
May 20, 2022
"Смола" на Ане Рил е един истински шедьовър на пълзящия ужас, но не е роман, който мога да препоръчам на всеки и с лека ръка. Книгата започва като почти банален разказ за едно дисфункционално семейство, водещо изолиран начин на живот в самотна къща на пуст полуостров. Постепенно обаче историята прераства в нещо изключително зловещо, дълбоко сбъркано, но и по някакъв начин много, много тъжно... Един драматичен разказ за това как неотработената емоционална травма от загубата на родител в ранно детство и нещастен смъртен случай в по-късни години може да ескалира и да разруши психиката на един човек до такава степен , че фокус на живота му да стане страхът от евентуална загуба и изоставяне.
"Каквото го напуснеше, нямаше никога да се върне.. Затова и нищо не го напускаше. "
Затова всичко ценно и обичано бива заключвано в смолата, едновременно лекуваща, убиваща и съхраняваща, завинаги ...
Изключително силна книга, емоционално разтърсваща и, да, безкрайно тъжна ....
"Каквото го напуснеше, нямаше никога да се върне.. Затова и нищо не го напускаше. "
Затова всичко ценно и обичано бива заключвано в смолата, едновременно лекуваща, убиваща и съхраняваща, завинаги ...
Изключително силна книга, емоционално разтърсваща и, да, безкрайно тъжна ....
October 6, 2021
Писатели во всем мире: хэппи-энд - это когда все в книге хорошо кончается. Например, все женятся, или получают наследство, или отправляются путешествовать, или покупают дом, или заводят собаку, или обретают душевный покой, или...
Датские писатели: хэппи-энд – это когда спасаешь в конце романа мумифицированный трупик младенца.
Датские писатели: хэппи-энд – это когда спасаешь в конце романа мумифицированный трупик младенца.
January 19, 2023
Book Blog | Bookstagram
I picked this up because the reviews are all like THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER! WORK OF ART! Blah, blah, blah… and I guess at this point I should know that my tastes are garbage and anything that is considered “art” is fucking lost on me.
Liv is six years old when her parents fake her death in order to keep themselves completely off the grid in an isolated house, miles away from the only main town.
The story flips back and forth between the story of Liv’s father’s upbringing in the same house with his own weird parents, to the present day where Liv’s own father is losing his mind, sinking ever deeper into a hoarding, paranoid madness. Liv’s mother is consumed with the state of her home, marriage and isolation and she deals with it by overeating to the point that she is now so big, she is confined to a bed and cannot move.
This family was fucked. The situation was fucked. I felt for sweet Liv who was an innocent child just trying to navigate what was normal and what was not by way of her underdeveloped intuition, but I didn’t really get into the story beyond the general disturbing idea.
Mostly because the plot itself is kind of boring outside of the messed-up family dynamics. I found this to be slow, cold and flat, and the writing was awkward and emotionless.
For all of the horror that was Liv’s life, I didn’t feel any of it from her or the other characters involved.
There is a lot of telling happening in the narrative, instead of showing. And that’s like my biggest pet peeve when it comes to writing, next to dream sequences. Fuck a dream sequence! There’s also hardly any dialogue, the bulk of the writing relies on descriptive paragraphs which became tedious as hell for me as a reader.
It is definitely disturbing and heartbreaking in a lot of ways, but the plot itself was dull and slow and didn’t have any thrilling moments or twists. Even the disturbing truths are presented as if you’re reading a dinner menu – it’s one note.
This is a linear examination of mental illness and grief, and how those things can affect a child, a marriage and a home on the furthest end of the spectrum.
And while aspects of the story were uncomfortable to read and did make me squirm, overall this was basically pretty boring and I don’t get the rave reviews.
But again, I’m a garbage person, so don’t take my word for it. It’s got awards and shit.
⭐⭐½ | 2.5 stars rounded up
I picked this up because the reviews are all like THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER! WORK OF ART! Blah, blah, blah… and I guess at this point I should know that my tastes are garbage and anything that is considered “art” is fucking lost on me.
Liv is six years old when her parents fake her death in order to keep themselves completely off the grid in an isolated house, miles away from the only main town.
The story flips back and forth between the story of Liv’s father’s upbringing in the same house with his own weird parents, to the present day where Liv’s own father is losing his mind, sinking ever deeper into a hoarding, paranoid madness. Liv’s mother is consumed with the state of her home, marriage and isolation and she deals with it by overeating to the point that she is now so big, she is confined to a bed and cannot move.
This family was fucked. The situation was fucked. I felt for sweet Liv who was an innocent child just trying to navigate what was normal and what was not by way of her underdeveloped intuition, but I didn’t really get into the story beyond the general disturbing idea.
Mostly because the plot itself is kind of boring outside of the messed-up family dynamics. I found this to be slow, cold and flat, and the writing was awkward and emotionless.
For all of the horror that was Liv’s life, I didn’t feel any of it from her or the other characters involved.
There is a lot of telling happening in the narrative, instead of showing. And that’s like my biggest pet peeve when it comes to writing, next to dream sequences. Fuck a dream sequence! There’s also hardly any dialogue, the bulk of the writing relies on descriptive paragraphs which became tedious as hell for me as a reader.
It is definitely disturbing and heartbreaking in a lot of ways, but the plot itself was dull and slow and didn’t have any thrilling moments or twists. Even the disturbing truths are presented as if you’re reading a dinner menu – it’s one note.
This is a linear examination of mental illness and grief, and how those things can affect a child, a marriage and a home on the furthest end of the spectrum.
And while aspects of the story were uncomfortable to read and did make me squirm, overall this was basically pretty boring and I don’t get the rave reviews.
But again, I’m a garbage person, so don’t take my word for it. It’s got awards and shit.
⭐⭐½ | 2.5 stars rounded up
December 22, 2021
Un primer capítulo muy bueno y el resto aburrido y simple.
December 18, 2022
Книгата е брутално добра! Историята е ужасяваща, но по- плашещото в нея е, че героите приемат всичко това за нормално и обичайно.
Няма да говоря за сюжета, който е загатнат в анотацията, но ще наблегна на това колко уникално е психологическото изграждане в романа. Има дълбочина, плътност, автентичност. Този книга, с нейната атмосфера и персонажи, сякаш пулсира в свой ритъм.
От началото до самия край тегне мрачност, но тя не е преекспонирана с емоционален драматизъм, а по- скоро е сянка на личната интерпретация и възприемане на всеки един читател.
Ане Рил пише описателно, но по един деликатен и ненатрапчив начин, и има талант да провокира въображението.
Прекрасно разказана история.
Няма да говоря за сюжета, който е загатнат в анотацията, но ще наблегна на това колко уникално е психологическото изграждане в романа. Има дълбочина, плътност, автентичност. Този книга, с нейната атмосфера и персонажи, сякаш пулсира в свой ритъм.
От началото до самия край тегне мрачност, но тя не е преекспонирана с емоционален драматизъм, а по- скоро е сянка на личната интерпретация и възприемане на всеки един читател.
Ане Рил пише описателно, но по един деликатен и ненатрапчив начин, и има талант да провокира въображението.
Прекрасно разказана история.
May 27, 2018
A completely incredible novel, so beautifully written, so traumatic and extraordinarily disturbing whilst being entirely riveting throughout. Really can't recommend it highly enough. Full review to be posted near publication.
January 21, 2023
Реална оценка: 3.5
Интересно изграден роман, който усещах крайно стерилен през повечето време - емоцията беше натъпкана дълбоко в душите на героите, без да излиза наяве. Разказан през повечето време от името на малко дете, а и не само заради това, "Смола" ми напомни на "Неудобството на вечерта", но все пак предпочитам последната.
Има много, много теми, засегнати от авторката в книгата, на които ще обърна по-подробно внимание идните дни, така че както се казва на чист български: stay tuned 🤣
Интересно изграден роман, който усещах крайно стерилен през повечето време - емоцията беше натъпкана дълбоко в душите на героите, без да излиза наяве. Разказан през повечето време от името на малко дете, а и не само заради това, "Смола" ми напомни на "Неудобството на вечерта", но все пак предпочитам последната.
Има много, много теми, засегнати от авторката в книгата, на които ще обърна по-подробно внимание идните дни, така че както се казва на чист български: stay tuned 🤣
March 3, 2024
În sfârșit, o carte care merită toate premiile primite! Personaje, atmosferă sumbră, psihologie, emoție, suspans. Neașteptat de mult mi-a plăcut!
,,De fapt, nu am analizat niciodată ceea ce sunt. Credeam că sunt ceea ce vedeau cu toții în mine. Dar, cu, toate acestea, eu vedeam ceva în mine ceva ce ei n-au reușit să vadă niciodată."
,,Nu știu dacă viața noastră este o aventură sau mai degrabă o poveste de groază. Poate puțin din fiecare."
,,Sau și-ar fi dorit să fie un copac, care într-o zi să devină un sicriu frumos unde să se întindă cineva cu care să poată să stea de vorbă."
,,Dacă buștenii erau, de fapt, oameni care dormeau, prea obosiți să devină altceva?"
,,De fapt, nu am analizat niciodată ceea ce sunt. Credeam că sunt ceea ce vedeau cu toții în mine. Dar, cu, toate acestea, eu vedeam ceva în mine ceva ce ei n-au reușit să vadă niciodată."
,,Nu știu dacă viața noastră este o aventură sau mai degrabă o poveste de groază. Poate puțin din fiecare."
,,Sau și-ar fi dorit să fie un copac, care într-o zi să devină un sicriu frumos unde să se întindă cineva cu care să poată să stea de vorbă."
,,Dacă buștenii erau, de fapt, oameni care dormeau, prea obosiți să devină altceva?"
January 29, 2023
Тъжна и леко психо история. Наподобява на книга на Стивън Кинг, с тази разлика, че не зловещото е на преден план, а човешкото, дори и попаднало в плен на лудостта.
March 13, 2024
Impresionante libro, es un trhiller psicológico pero ante todo es un drama familiar, y que drama! Lo que en un principio parece ser una familia autosuficiente y aislada se va convirtiendo en algo durísimo debido al estado psicológico del padre de familia, cada vez peor. Me ha dado mucha pena esa niña a la que educan para que normalice cosas que no lo son y que vive entre basura.
April 3, 2023
Толкова много исках да напиша за "Смола" (изд. "Лемур", 2022), толкова много да кажа, а толкова отлагах. Книгата предразполага към и заслужава детайлен анализ на всеки един от героите си - в тяхното развитие и застой, анализ на мястото, където се развива действието, самото действие, символите и техните възможни значения и т. н. Такъв, за съжаление, нямам времето и търпението да напиша, а всичко по-малко няма да ми донесе лично удовлетворение. Истинска радост за мен бе задълбочената дискусия, която книгата провокира по време на срещата на литературния ни клуб в месец февруари, когато и споделих най-важните моменти - по мое мнение. Обърнете ѝ внимание.
Даниела
Даниела
February 27, 2023
Бях чела книгата през лятото,докато бях на почивка .Не мисля,че тогава осъзнах мащабите на книгата и тези дни реших да я препрочета.Отвя ме .Книга за болката.Разтърси ме....
July 23, 2025
4,5 ⭐
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Resina es, sin dudas, uno de esos libros que cuando llegas a la última página te deja con una pregunta rondando en tu cabeza: ¿qué acabo de leer?
Una lectura insospechada y envolvente que me atrapó desde las primeras líneas. Una trama oscura, una ambientación opresiva y unos personajes que se mueven entre lo siniestro y lo natural; ocultando su verdadera naturaleza del mundo que los rodea. Una familia que se rige por sus propias reglas mientras el lugar en el que habita se cae a pedazos. Una percepción de la muerte extraña y muy particular.
Realmente ha sido una lectura sorprendente... incluso hasta la última frase.
Si quieres leer algo distinto, que te absorba desde la primera página, Resina es una excelente opción.
Libro elegido para reto lector de libro con una premisa extraña ✔
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Resina es, sin dudas, uno de esos libros que cuando llegas a la última página te deja con una pregunta rondando en tu cabeza: ¿qué acabo de leer?
Una lectura insospechada y envolvente que me atrapó desde las primeras líneas. Una trama oscura, una ambientación opresiva y unos personajes que se mueven entre lo siniestro y lo natural; ocultando su verdadera naturaleza del mundo que los rodea. Una familia que se rige por sus propias reglas mientras el lugar en el que habita se cae a pedazos. Una percepción de la muerte extraña y muy particular.
Realmente ha sido una lectura sorprendente... incluso hasta la última frase.
Si quieres leer algo distinto, que te absorba desde la primera página, Resina es una excelente opción.
Libro elegido para reto lector de libro con una premisa extraña ✔
April 16, 2022
„Смола“ е абсолютно болна книга, невероятен тревожен шедьовър на скандинавската литература. През цялото време, докато четох романа, не ме напускаше чувството, че със семейството на Лиз има нещо наистина сбъркано и п��ецакано. Тази мрачна, потискаща, травмираща, изключително смущаваща, но същевременно красиво написана и трогваща история, ще Ви накара да се замислите кое наистина е правилно и кое не е, дали е възможно да обичаш някого толкова много, че да искаш да го задържиш до себе си възможно най-дълго, наранявайки го и увреждайки го необратимо.
Цялото ревю е тук: https://booksguidebg.wordpress.com/20...
Цялото ревю е тук: https://booksguidebg.wordpress.com/20...
May 31, 2022
Смола за мен беше нещо като уродлив римейк на "Защо тъгува Гилбърт Грейп. Брутален разказ, който отлично описва скандинавските народопсихология на отчужденост и самодостатъчност. Историята е мрачна, но умело поднесена през погледа на различните герои, които пагубно се опитват да оправдаят постепенната си деградация. Психопатщина, която е трудна за преглъщане, но много добре отговаря на моя читателски вкус.
June 11, 2020
Spannend. Grimmig. Verontrustend en liefdevol tegelijk.
Grijpt je bij je strot en laat je niet meer los.
Grijpt je bij je strot en laat je niet meer los.
June 15, 2022
Изключително силна книга…
February 20, 2023
Историята за едно счупено семейство и как всичко е започнало. Кога започваш да запълваш празнотата в сърцето си с вещи и боклуци, как може да се накажеш за злополучни събития и способен ли си да си простиш.
Всичко което си мислех, че знам за историята се оказа много далеч от реалността и определено ме изненада.
Всичко което си мислех, че знам за историята се оказа много далеч от реалността и определено ме изненада.
September 25, 2018
The novel paints a disturbing picture of a family’s descent into madness.
Initially the Horder family living on an isolated homestead had a charm to it. But once the head of the family passes away only one son decides to stay on, marrying a shy local girl to the disapproval of his mother. The turning point comes when the newly married couple lose their infant son, leaving his twin sister the only child in a house that slowly starts losing its grip with reality.
With a bed bound mother and a mentally ill father, Liv takes comfort in talking to her long dead brother and scavenging for supplies at night. Other than Liv’s nightly thievery she is completely isolated from the rest of the world. But her father’s irrational fear that Liv will be taken away, leads to him staging an accident so he can report her as dead to the authorities.
His fear of losing his daughter also manifests itself in irrational hoarding behaviour. With piles of junk multiplying in and around the house, the atmosphere is one of claustrophobia. Things deteriorate to the point that it felt as if time loses all meaning.
The atmosphere created was very well done but I think some of the magic was lost in the translation as I never felt the emotions I think I was supposed to. But I also realise that I have always had trouble with the horror genre, so it could be a case of its me not the book.
Initially the Horder family living on an isolated homestead had a charm to it. But once the head of the family passes away only one son decides to stay on, marrying a shy local girl to the disapproval of his mother. The turning point comes when the newly married couple lose their infant son, leaving his twin sister the only child in a house that slowly starts losing its grip with reality.
With a bed bound mother and a mentally ill father, Liv takes comfort in talking to her long dead brother and scavenging for supplies at night. Other than Liv’s nightly thievery she is completely isolated from the rest of the world. But her father’s irrational fear that Liv will be taken away, leads to him staging an accident so he can report her as dead to the authorities.
His fear of losing his daughter also manifests itself in irrational hoarding behaviour. With piles of junk multiplying in and around the house, the atmosphere is one of claustrophobia. Things deteriorate to the point that it felt as if time loses all meaning.
The atmosphere created was very well done but I think some of the magic was lost in the translation as I never felt the emotions I think I was supposed to. But I also realise that I have always had trouble with the horror genre, so it could be a case of its me not the book.
February 20, 2023
За мен това не е история за двама родители, която разкрива какво се случва "когато желанието да го предпазиш [своето дете] се превърне в нещо, което може да му навреди необратимо". За мен това е история за един мъж, който не може да понесе повече загуба в живота си. Един мъж, който се страхува от изоставяне; който се опитва да упражнява контрол дори там, където не зависят обстоятелствата от него и как, опитвайки се да го прави, се докарва до лудост. История за една жена, обичаща съпруга си до такава степен, че да оправдава лудостта му, поне в началото. И едно дете, което е в постоянна вътрешна борба между страха си от нещата, на които става свидетел, тъй като дълбоко в себе си усеща, че нещо не е наред, и между лоялността към своя баща, към когото изпитва безусловно доверие, породено от силната привързаност.
December 4, 2022
Nu-i o carte polițistă/detectivistică tipică. Asta-i și dă mai multă valoare în evaluarea mea. Pornește asemenea exploziei unei bombe A. Continuă extraordinar, te va teroriza,surprinde,incita. N-o poți lăsa din mână. Baiul la cărțile " polițiste" este finalul. Care trebuie să fie vindicativ,corect,clișeistic. Așa este și aIci. Nu gândeam să-i dau mai mult de 3 stele,mai ales după end-ul convențional. De ce i-am mai dat o stea? Citiți cartea. E foarte fain construită,alternează stilul narativ, gradând tensiunea ,creând personaje,situații și descrieri veridice și un final convețional . Cu un bonus.🤪
September 10, 2023
Мислех, че мога да понеса това, което ме очаква, но не бях подготвена за този ужас.
Ужасът в очите на детето на корицата сега е в моите очи. Умопобъркваща история за семейство крещящо за помощ. Баща, който трупа вещи и боклуци, но чисти хора. Майка, която остава в плен на собственото си тяло, защото първо е отказала душевно да помогне на себе си и на детето си. Дете, което не знае кое е добро и кое е лошо. И всички, всички са виновни или може би никой не е злодеят в тази история, а всички са жертви.
Ужасът в очите на детето на корицата сега е в моите очи. Умопобъркваща история за семейство крещящо за помощ. Баща, който трупа вещи и боклуци, но чисти хора. Майка, която остава в плен на собственото си тяло, защото първо е отказала душевно да помогне на себе си и на детето си. Дете, което не знае кое е добро и кое е лошо. И всички, всички са виновни или може би никой не е злодеят в тази история, а всички са жертви.
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July 7, 2018Amazing sense of place in this novel about a father who declares his daughter dead while hiding her amongst the junk that he collects. I'll be doing an event with Riel at Waterstones in Winchester on 8th August, so I'm sure I'll be saying more then. https://www.waterstones.com/events/an-evening-with-clare-fuller-and-ane-riel/winchester-high-street
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