some of my favorites:-come sit by me, and i shall tell you all my sorrows; we shall talk to each other about secrets.-my life now consists of fragments, where some are so blinding in their intensity that they make everything else indistinguishable. what shall i do with these glittering shards? there is no pattern; i can't make them fit. with each other, or with the whole that should be my life. it feels as if my existence was extinguished in a flash, and afterwards my universe became incomprehensible. just shards and particles, which i carry with me wherever i go. they are sharp and they still hurt to touch. and they are so heavy. i know there is more - there are less intense fragments that i need to make it whole. i want to remember everything. but perhaps i need to give it more time. allow myself some rest. distance myself a little, to see if i can make out a pattern. and face the truth about what is really there.-love comes to us with no forewarning, and once given to us it can never be taken away. we must remember that. it can never be lost. love is not measurable. it cannot be counted in years, minutes or seconds, kilos or grams. it cannot be quantified in any way. nor can it be compared, one with the other. it simply is. the briefest brush with real love can sustain you for a lifetime. we must remember that.-live...! take risks! that is really what life is about. we must pursue our own happiness. nobody has ever lived our lives; there are no guidelines. trust your instincts. accept nothing but the best. but then also look for it carefully. don't allow it to slip between your fingers. and nothing comes complete. it is what we make of whatever we encounter that determines the outcome. what we choose to see, what we choose to save. and what we choose to remember. never forget that all the love in your life is there, inside you, always. it can never be taken from you.
There are so many phrases and descriptions which I found simply beautiful and hauntingly familiar. As other's have stated, poetic/lyrical writing. Wild strawberries, surpising finds with a sweetness out of the ordinary. The water theme through out the story gave me pictures of the moods and feelings of the events happening, melting snow or ice, the huge terrifying waves of the sea, the river flowing under the bridge, the rain and wet snow. Also mentioned often were open windows, scenes through the windows.I particulary enjoyed the preparing and sharing of meals together, the simple food and simple details of these communions were so lovely & loving. The author's discriptions of the weather, the seasons,the trees and natural surroundings helped met to 'be there'.However, for me, there seemed to be a disconnect with characterization - something that was missing in both of these women for me to want to care about them or find them real, particulary Veronika.I know I will remember this book for a long time and want to reread those beautiful phrases and descriptions. I look forward to readingOlsen's future books.
What do You think about Astrid And Veronika (2007)?
Starts with dreams, escalates into fevered nightmares of Veronika 32, new renter next to recluse Astrid 81. Senior checks on ill author, brings nourishment. Both know their happy times will not last; no surprise to reader when most frightening memories shared first. New Zealand boyfriend died surfing, miscarriage right after. Mother suicided when Astrid ten, father ordered her to strip naked, loveless marriage at 18 (to older 25 ugly yuck), (view spoiler)[ She smothers nursing newborn, "put my hand over her face and the white night swallowed us" p148, tells husband "Your child is dead" p149, drops murder innocuously without warning, explanation, shame, regret, or followup. Pfft. Astrid shares hidden wild strawberries, mushrooms, jam, Swedish pancake and fishballs, recipes, meals, wills house to Veronika for bringing her back to enjoyment of life. (hide spoiler)]
—An Odd1
This is a book I have wanted to read for such a long time - and bliss it is my real life book club read for November! I can't wait but I have two to read first....Well worth the wait. I had previously read Linda Olsen's second book and loved it. I now see that in her second book she built on the first refining her skill. That is the descriptive narrative of places she has been. The sensuous quality she adopts to describes a place is stunning. In this book I feel I would recognize the part of Sweden she describes and those whom she meets. The places and emotions flow over you. The story a little darker than her second book but equally moving and unforgettable. To comment freely would give the plot away. I recommend this if you have some quite contemplative time to give to it - especially if you have been in love or are a mother......
—Kate
I just finished the book and you reviewed it perfectly. Even through the trials they had to endure, it ended up being a happy, positive book. I really enjoyed it!
—Tristan
