3.5 stars ( )

This book on the NBA longlist for translated works is about a group of loosely connected characters who are all artists or studying art and their relationships. There was some interesting reflections on art, but there were a lot of characters to keep track of, which was difficult as many weren’t connected to a central story. Also, I think the author wanted to make this feel like watching a movie. Much reference is made to the movie ‘Lost in Translation’. Unfortunately, that resulted in a lot of sentences like: “We now see Sigrid . “. The whole book reminded me of watching a movie with the narration for the visually impaired turned on. It made for a slow, annoying reading experience. ( )

A microscopic view of many characters whose inner lives and thoughts are laid bare for us, and whose paths just may or may not cross. A peculiar and often humorous journey that puts in perspective life views that we often have ourselves; those from within our own heads.
The writing is precise, the plot is multidimensional in the extreme. Within the characters, you are sure to find at least one that you can personally relate to, and perhaps one that downright annoys you! This one is unique.
*I received an arc from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review ( )

It is a random and unexpected encounter that brings the student Sigrid and the author she has been admiring for years together. They are mutually attracted immediately and in a café try to get closer without revealing too much of them at first. Trine, however, is ready to reveal a lot as a performance artist who works with her body. But she is struggling with being a mother. Another couple is somehow trying to imitate a film scene which is originally set in Paris but transferred to Copenhagen by the director Linnea. It is just a short glance at their lives, but we see the decisive moment that has to potential to transform everything.

I was eager to read “Wait, Blink” since I usually like the Scandinavian way of telling stories. However, I couldn’t really get into the novel. I assume this is due to the fact that there is not one story, but several quite independent stories are told alternatingly and I was always waiting for the moment in which they connect and form a whole which I didn’t really find.

The scenes about Trine were hardest for me since this character is quite unique and I could hardly follow her thoughts and actions. I liked Linnea and her idea of reproducing “Before Sunrise” – “Before Sunset” in her own life. Sigrid is not really a sympathetic character, but I could link with her thoughts and her struggle to appear as a strong and independent woman while she is actually insecure and afraid of human beings.

Even though the content did not really convince me, I adored Gunnhild Øyehaug’s style of writing. She has found an exceptional tone for her narration and the way of the narrator to talk to you as the reader like he was a good friend and his slightly ironic undertone were great to read. Øyehaug shows what she is capable of and I am looking forward for another novel by her. ( )

Les bokanmeldelse her:

http://www.librarything.com/work/7745740/details/43661098 ( )