Novel
Lillelord
Johan Borgen · 1955
Synopsis
In pre-First World War Oslo, Wilfred Sagen, fourteen, is the pampered child of a widowed mother who treats him as the little lord of the house. A gifted pianist, top of his class, he is liked by everyone. In secret, he leads another life: forgery, manipulation, violent escapades at the head of a gang of boys. He keeps the two existences apart and discovers himself to be double, without anyone around him suspecting anything.
Context
The novel appeared in 1955 and opens a trilogy that was followed by De mørke kilder in 1956 and Vi har ham nå in 1957; Britannica sees in it a portrait of the Norwegian upper middle class from 1917 to the war, and it is described as partly autobiographical. It won the author the critics' prize, was translated into several languages according to Gyldendal, and appeared in English with New Directions in 1982.
Who it is for
Translated into English but not into French; the first part of a trilogy, it can nevertheless be read on its own.
Prizes and reception
According to Gyldendal, the breakthrough of its author; the publisher regards the trilogy opened by this book as his best work.
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