I promise! I bought this back in 1998! Before Renberg got famous!
OK, I have to explain: I started reading this book, and I looked at the back cover, and I thought: “That guy looks really familiar.” So I googled him, and went “DOH!”
These days, Renberg is one of the best-selling authors in Norway. I’ve never read any of his books, but from what I’ve gleaned from seeing him featured in one gazillion feature interviews over the years (I’ve never actually read any) is that he writes, you know, books that would be featured on Oprah’s Book Club if he were American.
That’s a totally and utterly unfounded prejudice of mine, of course. I was a hipster before being a hipster was cool!
(In my own head.)
But this is his first novel, written years before his popular bricks, and it’s… the most embarrassing thing I’ve read in years. I mean, it’s that way on purpose. I had to read this while hiding behind a pillow, because I couldn’t stand how embarrassing it was. That’s some feat!
I kinda liked it? It’s not bad, but it’s pretty sophomoric in its desire to shock. If you look at Goodreads, it’s got a 2.68, which is extremely low, so I’m guessing the people who picked this up was expecting the kitch (I’m assuming) he’s gotten famous for — and they were disappointed. His wikipedia (which reads like it was written by himself) classifies this book as part of his “experimental phase”, but we’re not talking Lucy Church Amiably or L’innommable — this is a straightforwardly narrative work.
Just very embarrassing. And not with any readily likeable characters, and other stuff people like.
Matriarkat (1996) by Tore Renberg (2.68 on Goodreads)