Noam’s Reviews > The Morning Star > Status Update
Noam
is on page 8 of 666
'It annoyed me intensely, all of it. When at last she had some energy, why couldn't she channel it in a way that could benefit us all? At the same time, I often felt sorry for her. She was like a little girl who'd got lost and kept telling herself everything was all right.' p.8
— Jun 11, 2026 11:52AM
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Noam’s Previous Updates
Noam
is on page 630 of 666
'I am thinking, as I write these words, about a great oak tree that stands in the woods behind the house in which I sit. A remarkable number of birds inhabit it, and I commit this thought to the typewriter. The thought has now left my inner being and become manifest on the sheet of paper in front of me, though I myself remain here: no part of me any longer exists in it.' p.629-630
— Jul 08, 2026 11:11AM
Noam
is on page 584 of 666
'My knees were wet, and soil stuck to them.
And in the mud on the bank were prints. Footprints at first, then the indentations made by a pair of knees.
Were they mine?
They had to be. There was no one else here.
Did I live here?
In the forest?
Or was I just out?
Who was I, anyway?
Didn't I know?
'Hello, my name's...' I said in the hope a name would come. But it didn't.' p.584
— Jul 06, 2026 11:46AM
And in the mud on the bank were prints. Footprints at first, then the indentations made by a pair of knees.
Were they mine?
They had to be. There was no one else here.
Did I live here?
In the forest?
Or was I just out?
Who was I, anyway?
Didn't I know?
'Hello, my name's...' I said in the hope a name would come. But it didn't.' p.584
Noam
is on page 535 of 666
''Who's this?' the doctor then said, nodding at me.
Tove looked at me.
'I don't know,' she said.
He put down his pen and leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the desk.
'think it'd be best for you to stay here until you get better, Tove.'
'Are you sure about that?' said Tove.' p.535
— Jul 04, 2026 11:04PM
Tove looked at me.
'I don't know,' she said.
He put down his pen and leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the desk.
'think it'd be best for you to stay here until you get better, Tove.'
'Are you sure about that?' said Tove.' p.535
Noam
is on page 483 of 666
''Have you looked outside?' I said. 'On the terrace? There are thousands of ladybirds out there.'
He turned and walked towards the door at the other end of the room.
'Good Lord,' he said. 'That's amazing!'
'I get an end-of-the-world sort of feeling.' I said.' p.483
— Jul 02, 2026 11:23AM
He turned and walked towards the door at the other end of the room.
'Good Lord,' he said. 'That's amazing!'
'I get an end-of-the-world sort of feeling.' I said.' p.483
Noam
is on page 406 of 666
'Could a person live without a name? I wondered at once.
Without identity?
Could a person exist without being connected to anything?
Unbound to any past or history, family or society?
Could a person simply be a human being on earth, who could go wher ever they wished without interpreting what they saw in terms of any kind of system, but thinking quite freely?' p.406
— Jun 28, 2026 11:37AM
Without identity?
Could a person exist without being connected to anything?
Unbound to any past or history, family or society?
Could a person simply be a human being on earth, who could go wher ever they wished without interpreting what they saw in terms of any kind of system, but thinking quite freely?' p.406
Noam
is on page 351 of 666
'You must be impatient,' a voice said behind me.
What?
I spun round. It was the guy who'd been staring at me. I'd thought he was somewhere in his twenties, only now I could see he was forty at least, if not fifty.
'Are you talking to me?' I said.
All he did was smile. He didn't look drunk at all. So what did he want? Was he a homo, or what?
"Yes,' he said. "There's no one else here.' p.351
— Jun 26, 2026 11:25AM
What?
I spun round. It was the guy who'd been staring at me. I'd thought he was somewhere in his twenties, only now I could see he was forty at least, if not fifty.
'Are you talking to me?' I said.
All he did was smile. He didn't look drunk at all. So what did he want? Was he a homo, or what?
"Yes,' he said. "There's no one else here.' p.351
Noam
is on page 299 of 666
'As the road swung north, the star was above us in the sky.
It was beautiful.
As beautiful as death was beautiful.
'We haven't talked about the new star,' I said. 'It's a bit weird.'
'Maybe,' he said. 'But you've got other things to think about.'
'Yes,' I said.
There was a silence.' p.299
— Jun 24, 2026 12:28PM
It was beautiful.
As beautiful as death was beautiful.
'We haven't talked about the new star,' I said. 'It's a bit weird.'
'Maybe,' he said. 'But you've got other things to think about.'
'Yes,' I said.
There was a silence.' p.299
Noam
is on page 258 of 666
'He was sitting with his back to the door in that big ergonomic office chair of his, in the same grey shorts and black T-shirt he'd had on all week.
'Everything all right, love?' I said.
He swivelled halfway round in the chair and looked up at me.
He was different, I could tell straight away. It was written all over him.
'Yes,' he said, and smiled. 'Now it is.'
Had something happened? What had happened?' p.257-8
— Jun 23, 2026 11:22AM
'Everything all right, love?' I said.
He swivelled halfway round in the chair and looked up at me.
He was different, I could tell straight away. It was written all over him.
'Yes,' he said, and smiled. 'Now it is.'
Had something happened? What had happened?' p.257-8
Noam
is on page 229 of 666
'At the same moment, I noticed one of the city's writers coming along with a trail of youngsters after him. Students from the writing academy, no doubt.
As they passed our table, he lifted an index finger to his forehead in a kind of salute.
'Lindland,' he said.
He managed to make my name sound almost like an insult, and I straight-faced him.' p.228-229
— Jun 22, 2026 11:59AM
As they passed our table, he lifted an index finger to his forehead in a kind of salute.
'Lindland,' he said.
He managed to make my name sound almost like an insult, and I straight-faced him.' p.228-229
Noam
is on page 117 of 666
'My mouth was watering as I carried the tray over to one of the tables further inside and sat down.
I opened as wide as I could but still couldn't get the whole burger in for the first bite, the bun crumpled against my top lip as the juicy meat filled my mouth and everything melted together, bacon, beef, bun, onion, tomato, lettuce, ketchup.' p.117
— Jun 15, 2026 12:36PM
I opened as wide as I could but still couldn't get the whole burger in for the first bite, the bun crumpled against my top lip as the juicy meat filled my mouth and everything melted together, bacon, beef, bun, onion, tomato, lettuce, ketchup.' p.117
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Mahtab
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rated it 4 stars
Jun 11, 2026 06:08PM
I'm reading it now as well, though alongside a couple of other books. Hope we both enjoy this curious starry night! 🌌📖✨
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Mahtab wrote: "I'm reading it now as well, though alongside a couple of other books. Hope we both enjoy this curious starry night! 🌌📖✨"Wow, Mahtab! What a wonderful coincidence, synchronicity or whatever! ⭐
Is this your first Karl Ove Knausgård? I’ve read a.o. his 'My struggle' series and it was very impressive. I hope I’ll like this one too. Come to think of it, I almost stopped already, after reading about the kitten in the first few pages (That was a bit too much for me, as a cat lover!), but I’m reading further now. I’m taking my time!
Enjoy reading and I’m looking forward to read your review in due time. I guess our dear GR friend Ernst will be delighted if we both enjoy this book! 😍
Indeed, what an amazing coincidence, Noam!Yes, this is my first Knausgård. You might remember that after I read Dag Solstad's ‘Professor Andersen's Night’, Ernst recommended ‘The Morning Star’, and I finally cracked it open a few days ago. And oh, that kitten scene was absolutely repulsive! I happened to be reading those exact pages right before going to bed, and I was really terrified I’d spend the whole night having nightmares about crushed kittens. I'm about 270 pages in now, though, and thankfully there hasn't been another incident like that.
I can easily wait for you, Noam. I usually post my reviews several days after finishing a book anyway, and I already have a bunch of other pieces ready to go. If you'd like, we could even post our reviews at the same time.
You're right; GR Ernst will be thrilled to see us both enjoying this. After all, it's one of his favorites, and Knausgård is in his top three authors. Maybe we should invite a few other friends to join us and turn this into a little ‘Morning Star ‘ book club just to make Ernst even happier. Sadly, the messaging thing doesn’t work anymore, otherwise I would ask GR Yalla to join us. Even though he rarely replies to comments on his own reviews, let alone accepts invitations 😉 [GR Yalla, if you see our chat here, wave your hand please! 😆] But he might have already read it, I don’t know. Though with that jarring incident, he’s probably way too busy reposting all his reviews now. I really admire his devotion to literature.
Anyway, take your time, dear Noam, and enjoy this bizarre ride. I’m really looking forward to your updates. Happy reading! ⭐🌈📕
Mahtab wrote: "Indeed, what an amazing coincidence, Noam!Yes, this is my first Knausgård. You might remember that after I read Dag Solstad's ‘Professor Andersen's Night’, Ernst recommended ‘The Morning Star’, an..."
Oh, Mahtab, just like you I read that terrifying text before going to bed. I was very tired but I decided to continue to read longer, hoping to be able to fall asleep afterall... My cat and I are relived to hear that the rest of the first half is cat friendly! 😻
It's very kind of you to offer not to publish your review till mine is ready too, but there's no need to do that. Due to lack of time I'm often late with my review and I don't want to keep you waiting. Just publish your review when it's ready... and I promise not to read it till mine is ready too! 😆
Yes, it's such a shame GR messaging doesn't work anymore. In fact they should have added video calling to GR too, so we can have a Morning star party! Anyhow I do hope Ernst reads and enjoys our comments, just like Yalla. Hopefully this conversation will make more people curious about this book.
Enjoy reading, dear Mahtab!⭐️📚
Noam wrote: "Mahtab wrote: "Indeed, what an amazing coincidence, Noam!Yes, this is my first Knausgård. You might remember that after I read Dag Solstad's ‘Professor Andersen's Night’, Ernst recommended ‘The Mo..."
Thanks, Noam! Video calling on GR? Haha, I love the idea of an "online potluck party"! :))
Wish you, your partner, and your lovely cat a great weekend. Enjoy your morning star! ⭐
You lured me... I do enjoy the Knausgård but I need space between his books. I haven't read this one and would have loved a trio read but GR Mahtab is indeed correct that posting my library is time consuming. I'm also in the middle of three giant books - Robert Musil, Augusta J. Evans, and Boleslav Prus. I can't possibly take this one on as well. I do work for a living. I will sit here with my kitty and await your thoughts.
Yalla wrote: "You lured me... I do enjoy the Knausgård but I need space between his books. I haven't read this one and would have loved a trio read but GR Mahtab is indeed correct that posting my library is time..."Look who waved back! 🖐️😄 I completely understand, GR Yalla. We will definitely miss having you in the trio. Maybe next time :) Give your kitty a pat from me and enjoy those giants :)
Mahtab wrote: "Thanks, Noam! Video calling on GR? Haha, I love the idea of an "online potluck party"! :))Wish you, your partner, and your lovely cat a great weekend. Enjoy your morning star! ⭐"
Thanks, Mahtab! Same to you!⭐️
Yalla wrote: "You lured me... I do enjoy the Knausgård but I need space between his books. I haven't read this one and would have loved a trio read but GR Mahtab is indeed correct that posting my library is time..."Great to hear from you, Yalla! I perfectly understand what you mean when you say you need space between his books. His books, especially the autobiographical ones, can be quite demanding. Your three giant books sound great anyhow! I'm looking forward to read your review in due time. Enjoy reading and we'll keep in touch!
Just a quick heads-up, Noam: Knausgård isn't done with the feline horrors. Another scene pops up later. It’s not as repulsive as the first one, but it's still grim. Please do not read this book to your cat, with your cat, or anywhere within a 10-foot radius of your cat. Protect his or her innocent ears! 🐈And brace yourself, the worst may not have come yet... 💀⭐🥴
Mahtab wrote: "Just a quick heads-up, Noam: Knausgård isn't done with the feline horrors. Another scene pops up later. It’s not as repulsive as the first one, but it's still grim. Please do not read this book to ..."Thank you for letting me know! Is doesn’t really encourage me to go on reading, but I will discuss this matter with my cat and do my best! 😹
The worst may not have come yet? Oh, I truly hope this is true only concerning this book... 🫰🪬
Noam wrote: "Mahtab wrote: "Just a quick heads-up, Noam: Knausgård isn't done with the feline horrors. Another scene pops up later. It’s not as repulsive as the first one, but it's still grim. Please do not rea..."I didn't mean to discourage you; there are definitely good parts in the book. Still, consulting your cat before proceeding is a very wise move... Let me know what your cat decides after that diplomatic summit ;)
And yeah, I was only talking about the book. Though 'The worst is yet to come' is a fact about the world we tend to call 'real,' but recently I've been doubting more and more what's real and what's not... and that was even before Knausgård started crushing fluffy creatures :P
Mahtab wrote: "I didn't mean to discourage you; there are definitely good parts in the book. Still, consulting your cat before proceeding is a very wise move... Let me know what your cat decides after that diplomatic summit ;)And yeah, I was only talking about the book. Though 'The worst is yet to come' is a fact about the world we tend to call 'real,'..."
Haha, yes, the real world seems very surreal at the moment. I’m happy I have my cat to advise me not only about literature but about such matters too! 😻
I enjoy your happy chat with huge amusement. Maybe the cat scenes are just a tiny little tribute to King‘s Pet Sematary🥺
Noam wrote: "Mahtab wrote: "I didn't mean to discourage you; there are definitely good parts in the book. Still, consulting your cat before proceeding is a very wise move... Let me know what your cat decides af..."You're a very lucky person to have such a wise advisor, Noam. Happy for you both!
Ernst wrote: "I enjoy your happy chat with huge amusement. Maybe the cat scenes are just a tiny little tribute to King‘s Pet Sematary🥺"Hi Ernst! We specifically staged this spectacle to entertain the Goodreads audience, so I’m glad we didn't disappoint.
As for King... oh please, no! :D I’m hoping to find some more profound, existential layers as I move forward to justify the violence. Rest assured, there will be no roles for King in this show! :P
Ernst wrote: "I enjoy your happy chat with huge amusement. Maybe the cat scenes are just a tiny little tribute to King‘s Pet Sematary🥺"I'm happy you enjoy our chat, Ernst. I never heard of King's Pet Sematary, but according to my cat that's nothing for me. 😹 He prefers sitting on my lap while I continue to read The Morning Star! 😻