This book was more than a little confusing and definitely more than a little disturbing. At the front of the book there’s a quote saying anyone who’s enjoyed 50 Shades of Grey needs to read this book to understand female submission and the psyche, and I am not sure I got that 😂 Mind you, I also haven’t read Fifty Shades so stumbled at the first hurdle there. 

I did appreciate the commentary around a stifling religion (Christianity), an overbearing mother, and sexual liberation. Johanne’s thoughts are a sometimes scary place to be. She’ll be thinking about something super mundane and then have a flash of the most grotesque imagery, sometimes violence, sometimes sexual violence. I wasn’t sure of their intended purpose.

Okay, but not my favourite from Peirene. 

Translated from the Norwegian by Deborah Dawkin.