My Struggle, Book Four

At eighteen years, old Karl Ove moves to a tiny fisherman's village in the far north of the arctic circle to work as a school teacher. No interest in the job itself, his intention is to save up enough money to travel while finding the space and time to start his writing career. Initially everything looks fine. He writes his first few short stories, finds himself accepted by the hospitable locals, and receives flattering attention from several beautiful local girls. But as the darkness of the long arctic nights start to consume the landscape, Karl Ove's life takes a darker turn. His writing repeats itself, his drinking escalates to some disturbing blackouts, his attempts at losing his virginity end in humiliation and shame, and to his distress, he also develops romantic feelings towards one of his students. Along the way, there are flashbacks to his high school years and the roots of his current problems. Ever present is the long shadow cast by his father, whose own sharply increasing alcohol consumption serves as an ominous backdrop to the author's lifestlye.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Archipelago Books
Published: 04/28/2015
ISBN: 9780914671176
Pages: 350
Weight: 1.60lbs
Size: 7.60h x 6.50w x 1.60d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2015
Publishers Weekly 02/23/2015
Booklist 04/15/2015 pg. 26
New York Times Book Review 04/26/2015 pg. 1
Christian Century 04/29/2015 pg. 26
New York Times Book Review 05/17/2015 pg. 30
Library Journal 06/01/2015 pg. 93
New York Review of Books 06/25/2015 pg. 24
Kirkus Best Fiction 11/15/2015 pg. 21
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 12/06/2015 pg. 26