The Content Reader

  Since I am back at home, for the time being, it is nice to have time to read again. Here are a few short reviews of books I have read lately.  The Draining Lage by Arnaldur Indridason "Following an earthquake, the water level of an Icelandic lake suddenly falls, revealing a skeleton. Inspector Erlendur's investigation takes him back to the Cold War era, when bright, left-wing students in Iceland were sent to study in the "heavenly state" of Communist East Germany. Teeming with spies and informants, though, their "heavenly state" becomes a nightmare of betrayal and murder. Brilliantly weaving international espionage and a chilling cold case investigation, The Draining Lake is Arnaldur Indridason at his best."   Another fascinating murder mystery for Inspector Erlendur. This time he has to deal with a story going back fifty years. Ever since his brother disappeared in the snow when they were kids, Erlendur has been fascinated by disappearance. Will the...

  I bought this in a second hand shop, and had never heard about the author. The text on the back cover caught my attention and for that I am happy. This is a gem of a novel. It is the love story between a teenage girl and a mature man. My first thoughts went to Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, but it is a totally different book. The story turns out to be a re-writing of the novel Pan by Knut Hamsun .  Thomas Glahn is a man seemingly roaming around without a goal. He meets and old friend, Mack, and his teenage daughter Edvarda. He is totally smitten by her from the first sight. Glahn is drawn into Mack's family life, with its mysterious relationships. Glahn has difficulties interpreting the relationship between Mack and his wife Eva. Although Glahn realises it is best to stay away from the family, it is like a magnet is drawing him in.  Glahn and Edvarda start a relationship which is not consummated until much later. Both are afraid to commit, and when they do, their comm...