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A review by ghost_of_the_library
The Redbreast by Jo Nesbø
5.0
Review edited
After a whole bunch of heavy historical reading i decided i needed a change of topic, perhaps something lighter...lol.
So there i go browsing the library shelves and oh look at that, its been ages since i read Jo Nesbø! yeah..nothing like a good Scandinavian gruesome murder mistery to lighten up the mood! ;)
Everyone is more than familiar with the present day "thing" for Scandinavian murder misteries - in book or TV series form.
For me Nesbø is on the top 5 of those authors, perhaps even tied with my other personal fav - Swedish Henning Mankell.
From among his several books with Harry Hole i find this one in particular to be exceptionally well crafted with a continuously tense, electric at times even, atmosphere, skilfully tying together what seem at first glance to be two very different storylines - One concerning Norwegians who joined the Waffen SS in WWII and fought on the Eastern Front believing they were defending their country from Soviet annexation, and the other a murder mystery involving Neo Nazi's in modern day Oslo.
The contemporary murder is investigated by the newly promoted Inspector Harry Hole and as this puzzling case begins leading him into a dark era of recent Norwegian history the pages flyby and we realize that, to solve this present day mystery he must first find answers to an intriguing egnima from WWII - and this was really interesting for history
nerd me, it gave a glimpse of how Norway dealt with its collaborators at the end of WWII ( i got the impression that it is still a delicate subject).
What really gripped my attention was the fascinating way in which Nesbø, through this plot, ended up showing us readers that the past is way much more complicated and complex than it is often presented, after events, and that choices made in convoluted times can create sinners out of saints. By showing us the two storylines he makes us accompany these characters and trough their decisions see how much their choices end up shaping the future of everyone around them.
This is the 3rd book in the Harry Hole series, but i dont think that the reader will "suffer" from lack of previous knowledge about Harry should he/she happen to start here...especially if you are already a fan of Scandinavian authors!
Actually the worst that can happen is it will make you go look for the previous 2 books so u can get the background on Harry before moving on to the next!
I should however leave a note, for those not used to Nesbø or familiar already with Harry. The first 50 pages or so can feel a bit slow and even a little confusing with all the names, places and dates being introduced, but be patient because once you pick up the pace along with Harry, its a hell of a good ride!
Happy Readings!
After a whole bunch of heavy historical reading i decided i needed a change of topic, perhaps something lighter...lol.
So there i go browsing the library shelves and oh look at that, its been ages since i read Jo Nesbø! yeah..nothing like a good Scandinavian gruesome murder mistery to lighten up the mood! ;)
Everyone is more than familiar with the present day "thing" for Scandinavian murder misteries - in book or TV series form.
For me Nesbø is on the top 5 of those authors, perhaps even tied with my other personal fav - Swedish Henning Mankell.
From among his several books with Harry Hole i find this one in particular to be exceptionally well crafted with a continuously tense, electric at times even, atmosphere, skilfully tying together what seem at first glance to be two very different storylines - One concerning Norwegians who joined the Waffen SS in WWII and fought on the Eastern Front believing they were defending their country from Soviet annexation, and the other a murder mystery involving Neo Nazi's in modern day Oslo.
The contemporary murder is investigated by the newly promoted Inspector Harry Hole and as this puzzling case begins leading him into a dark era of recent Norwegian history the pages flyby and we realize that, to solve this present day mystery he must first find answers to an intriguing egnima from WWII - and this was really interesting for history
nerd me, it gave a glimpse of how Norway dealt with its collaborators at the end of WWII ( i got the impression that it is still a delicate subject).
What really gripped my attention was the fascinating way in which Nesbø, through this plot, ended up showing us readers that the past is way much more complicated and complex than it is often presented, after events, and that choices made in convoluted times can create sinners out of saints. By showing us the two storylines he makes us accompany these characters and trough their decisions see how much their choices end up shaping the future of everyone around them.
This is the 3rd book in the Harry Hole series, but i dont think that the reader will "suffer" from lack of previous knowledge about Harry should he/she happen to start here...especially if you are already a fan of Scandinavian authors!
Actually the worst that can happen is it will make you go look for the previous 2 books so u can get the background on Harry before moving on to the next!
I should however leave a note, for those not used to Nesbø or familiar already with Harry. The first 50 pages or so can feel a bit slow and even a little confusing with all the names, places and dates being introduced, but be patient because once you pick up the pace along with Harry, its a hell of a good ride!
Happy Readings!