Finland, 1809. Henrik and Erik are brothers who fought on opposite sides in the war between Sweden and Russia. With peace declared, they both return to their snowed-in farm. But who is the master? Sexual tensions, old grudges, family secrets: all come to a head in this dark and gripping saga.
The Brothers
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.25
Trade in The Brothers for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.25, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Card, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more
|
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
"a brooding family drama that has something of the timeless quality of good soap opera" Nicholas Lezard, Guardian "intense hatreds trickle through this short novel like meltwater" Observer "intensely visual ... a brooding, atmospheric, Scandinavian late night movie" Independent on Sunday "This short, intense novel examines concepts of home, inheritance and the connection between personal and international conflict." Times Literary Supplement
About the Author
Asko Sahlberg, born 1964, has acquired a fame in Finland that has yet to be replicated in the English speaking world. He published his first novel in 2000 and has written steadily since then, completing his ninth work, The Brothers, in 2010.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Eleanor
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
"The Brothers" is Asko Sahlberg's first novel to be translated into English. The action centres on the inhabitants of a Finnish farm covered in snow and surrounded by forest. Henrik, a bitter and frightening man, has just returned after fighting for the Russians in the 1809 Swedish-Russian war, his brother Erik was on the other side. In the claustrophobic atmosphere of the house tensions build; everyone agrees that Henrik's homecoming is a very bad thing, and the reader is prepared for a terrible climax.
Although only 120 pages, "The Brothers" feels much longer as, without being rushed, the reader is exposed to a wealth of characterization and incident. The multiple narrators enable one to see the bigger picture and diverse viewpoints confound assumptions. The writing is beautiful and vivid similes and imagery create a disturbing portentous atmosphere, such as when it is said of one character that 'his words sound like they are being squeezed out through a tangle of worms'. "The Brothers" is a worthy introduction to Peirene Press's year of the small epic.
Although only 120 pages, "The Brothers" feels much longer as, without being rushed, the reader is exposed to a wealth of characterization and incident. The multiple narrators enable one to see the bigger picture and diverse viewpoints confound assumptions. The writing is beautiful and vivid similes and imagery create a disturbing portentous atmosphere, such as when it is said of one character that 'his words sound like they are being squeezed out through a tangle of worms'. "The Brothers" is a worthy introduction to Peirene Press's year of the small epic.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
"I had to wait another few years before I understood that the beast smelt of war."
17 May 2012
By Freckles
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This small novel packs a real punch. An epic tale told in intricate fashion, somehow crafted in to 122 pages.
The author has created a dark and brooding atmosphere at an icy Finnish farm in 1809 following the Swedish-Russian war. There dwells two brothers, Henrik and Erik, their mother (The Old Mistress), the much put upon Farmhand and a couple of servants, one of them new to this unhappy household. Henrik and Erik have fought the war on opposite sides and the tension that exists within that farmhouse is palpable. Then there is the horse....or is it just a horse? The Farmhand has grave misgivings about the sense in Henrik owning such a malevolent beast which symbolises so much more than meets the eye.
Sahlberg has created a web of intrigue and mystery which has been compared to a Shakespearean drama and William Faulkener's "As I Lay Dying" ....... well deserved comparisons I must say. It is a supremely talented writer who can create vivid characters with their faults, fears and foibles in such few words. I will not reveal the turn of events for fear of ruining the readers' enjoyment. Suffice it to say that you will be gripped and surprised, no shocked, as the story unfolds.
A wonderful premiere to the fabulous Peirene's small epic series for 2012. They never fail to present us with beautifully translated European fiction which deserves to be enjoyed and not overlooked. Their dedication to this cause is admirable and pretty unique.
The author has created a dark and brooding atmosphere at an icy Finnish farm in 1809 following the Swedish-Russian war. There dwells two brothers, Henrik and Erik, their mother (The Old Mistress), the much put upon Farmhand and a couple of servants, one of them new to this unhappy household. Henrik and Erik have fought the war on opposite sides and the tension that exists within that farmhouse is palpable. Then there is the horse....or is it just a horse? The Farmhand has grave misgivings about the sense in Henrik owning such a malevolent beast which symbolises so much more than meets the eye.
Sahlberg has created a web of intrigue and mystery which has been compared to a Shakespearean drama and William Faulkener's "As I Lay Dying" ....... well deserved comparisons I must say. It is a supremely talented writer who can create vivid characters with their faults, fears and foibles in such few words. I will not reveal the turn of events for fear of ruining the readers' enjoyment. Suffice it to say that you will be gripped and surprised, no shocked, as the story unfolds.
A wonderful premiere to the fabulous Peirene's small epic series for 2012. They never fail to present us with beautifully translated European fiction which deserves to be enjoyed and not overlooked. Their dedication to this cause is admirable and pretty unique.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By PL
Format:Paperback
The Brothers by Asko Sahlberg is set at the end of The Finnish War, fought between Sweden and the Russian Empire (Feb' 1808 - Sept' 1809) the result of this war was that the eastern third of Sweden was established as the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire. The book starts with the brothers, who have fought on opposing sides, returning to their family farmhouse. With their return old scars resurface, old conflicts born out of past tragedies. The elder brother, Henrik, is embittered, having long been alienated from his family after first being cheated by a neighbour and then his younger brother Erik. This book manages within it's 122 pages to cover all those epic themes of treachery & conflict, whether through sexual tensions or those family secrets that simmer below the surface or whether contrasting the politics of war with those of family.
As this tale unfolds, each character takes their turn in revealing more of the story in a series of dramatic monologues, that made me think of Alan Bennett's TV show Talking Heads, (written for BBC television -1988) creating a multiple narrative that's dark and full of a foreboding that is as dark and chilling as winter. In fact this whole book is as dark and dense as wading through deep snow, and like traipsing through this landscape, you feel you've been traipsing for ages and nothing has changed until you look up and find you've journeyed miles. This is a small book that portrays grand themes and yet does so by focusing it's lens on this family and it's brooding tale, where the passion burns bitter, another way it reminded me was in the similar themes of death, guilt and isolation.
Asko Sahlberg, born 1964, has acquired a fame in Finland that has yet to be replicated in the English speaking world.... Read more ›
As this tale unfolds, each character takes their turn in revealing more of the story in a series of dramatic monologues, that made me think of Alan Bennett's TV show Talking Heads, (written for BBC television -1988) creating a multiple narrative that's dark and full of a foreboding that is as dark and chilling as winter. In fact this whole book is as dark and dense as wading through deep snow, and like traipsing through this landscape, you feel you've been traipsing for ages and nothing has changed until you look up and find you've journeyed miles. This is a small book that portrays grand themes and yet does so by focusing it's lens on this family and it's brooding tale, where the passion burns bitter, another way it reminded me was in the similar themes of death, guilt and isolation.
Asko Sahlberg, born 1964, has acquired a fame in Finland that has yet to be replicated in the English speaking world.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Amy Henry
Format:Paperback
Translated from the Finnish by Emily Jeremiah and Fleur Jeremiah
"I sensed that motherhood was terrible, perhaps sweet at times, but above all terrible. Not because one human child would be more horrendous than another, nor is it so that offspring cannot bring joy when little and be useful when grown up, but because motherhood makes it possible for future generations to be rocked by dark tragedies."
The Old Mistress in this snowy and tense Finnish tale reflects on her early impressions of motherhood, and what sort of legacy her two sons would be for her. It's right that she worries, for she is desperately miserable in her desolate forest home, where she has to deal with "people whose speech tells you they have rough palms" as well as a sickly husband. Added to this, she has furtive servants and two wildly opposing boys, Erik and Henrik.
Erik and Henrik are introduced as quarrelsome boys who end up on opposite sides during the war between Sweden and Russia (this takes place in 1809). Neither character is fully exposed, so the tension between the two is immediately apparent while the meaning behind it is delayed. As the plot twists, the reader can see that this was intended...for the reader is given no easy clues to unravel the family's drama.
"...for a time I was able to watch the boys grow up with at least distant pride. But boys are fated to grow into men, and a mother has to follow this tragedy as a silent bystander. And now it seems they will kill each other, and then this, too, can be added to my never-ending list of losses."
The character of their mother, the Old Mistress, is one of the most powerful female characters to be found in modern fiction: she has no saving grace that makes her likable or even necessary.... Read more ›
"I sensed that motherhood was terrible, perhaps sweet at times, but above all terrible. Not because one human child would be more horrendous than another, nor is it so that offspring cannot bring joy when little and be useful when grown up, but because motherhood makes it possible for future generations to be rocked by dark tragedies."
The Old Mistress in this snowy and tense Finnish tale reflects on her early impressions of motherhood, and what sort of legacy her two sons would be for her. It's right that she worries, for she is desperately miserable in her desolate forest home, where she has to deal with "people whose speech tells you they have rough palms" as well as a sickly husband. Added to this, she has furtive servants and two wildly opposing boys, Erik and Henrik.
Erik and Henrik are introduced as quarrelsome boys who end up on opposite sides during the war between Sweden and Russia (this takes place in 1809). Neither character is fully exposed, so the tension between the two is immediately apparent while the meaning behind it is delayed. As the plot twists, the reader can see that this was intended...for the reader is given no easy clues to unravel the family's drama.
"...for a time I was able to watch the boys grow up with at least distant pride. But boys are fated to grow into men, and a mother has to follow this tragedy as a silent bystander. And now it seems they will kill each other, and then this, too, can be added to my never-ending list of losses."
The character of their mother, the Old Mistress, is one of the most powerful female characters to be found in modern fiction: she has no saving grace that makes her likable or even necessary.... Read more ›
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
My lovely horse
Very dense writing, with a first person narrative switching between the main characters. Some nice moments but on whole, I didn't get it. Might try re-reading it.
Published 1 month ago by A. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Secrets in the snow
I bought this book when it was one of Amazon's daily Kindle deals last year. The blurb seemed interesting, and at 99p, I figured I couldn't go wrong. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. D. Stephens
5.0 out of 5 stars
an evenings read
An excellent, consise well written tale. will definately be looking out for future books from tthese publishers whose aim is to provide a book that can be read within an evening... Read more
Published 5 months ago by diva redaer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Icy setting and characters
The Brothers is about Henrik and Erik, Finnish brothers in 1809 who fought on opposing sides of the war between Sweden and Russia, that made Finland a part of the Russian Empire. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sam
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Compellingly Dark, Claustrophobic Drama.
I've been a convert to Peirene Press's editions of contemporary European fiction since I read The Murder of Halland by Danish author Pia Juul, andMaybe This Timethe short stories... Read more
Published 7 months ago by The Book Witch
5.0 out of 5 stars
Family drama in a concentrated package - excellent take on the subject...
The author does an amazing job of condensing so much content into 122 pages and the book really opens so many avenues of exploring family relationships that it is likely going to... Read more
Published 7 months ago by AK
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well Worth Reading
This novel may be short, indeed it is about 122 pages, but despite that don't be put off, because it is brilliant. Read more
Published 11 months ago by M. Dowden
4.0 out of 5 stars
'the malestrom of time'
The theme adopted for Peirene Press's latest selection is The Series of the Small Epic. Does an epic novel have to have a page count that helps it double as a doorstop or can the... Read more
Published 15 months ago by William Rycroft
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Coiled Spring.
This is a highly impressive, highly condensed novel, packing an epic sweep into its 122 pages.
Set in Finland in 1809, as Finland passes from Swedish to Russian rule, it... Read more
Set in Finland in 1809, as Finland passes from Swedish to Russian rule, it... Read more
Published 16 months ago by David Rose
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
