Norwegian by Night

By: Derek B. Miller

Narrated by: Sean Mangan

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Sheldon Horowitz - 82 years old, impatient, and unreasonable - is staying with his granddaughter's family in Norway when he disappears with a stranger's child. Sheldon is an ex-Marine, and he feels responsible for his son's death in Vietnam. Recently widowed and bereft, he talks to the ghosts of his past constantly.

To Norway's cops, Sheldon is just an old man who is coming undone at the end of a long and hard life. But Sheldon is clear in his own mind. He'd heard the boy's eastern European mother being murdered, and he's determined to protect the child from the killer and his Balkan gang. With an endearing combination of dexterity and daring, Sheldon manages to elude the police in what is hostile, foreign territory for him. But what he doesn't know is that the police and the gang both know where he's heading.

Norwegian by Night is the last adventure of a man coming to terms with the tragedy of his own life as he tries to save another's. It combines laconic, deadpan humour, moral seriousness, visceral grief, and narrative tensions in a remarkable way - and Sheldon, in particular, is about to become a famous fictional hero.

©2012 Derek B. Miller (P)2013 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Norwegian by Night ‘may just be the Australian publishing coup of the decade, for this is a very powerful novel indeed, and Sheldon Horowitz is an absolutely unforgettable hero....A novel that will last and, soon enough, will be added to that canon of those finer works that transcend mere genre." (Jonathan Dawson, Sunday Tasmanian)

"To say this is an enigmatic read would be the understatement of the season." ( Courier Mail)

surprising very good with deep insight

Well written giving you an insight into the mind of a veteran

What I enjoyed most about this back is the fact that it gave an interesting and deep insight onto veterans father and son during different wars different generations. It also showed that once a hero always be here no matter how old you become a wonderful story a must read!

Clutch the heart

This is so real and family and kind yet so harsh and exciting. Hard to categorize and why try. It's just a great read.

No point of reference.

I don’t know what made me pick this book to buy and listen to; I’m not Norwegian, Jewish, from the Bronx, in a war, or old.

One of the first things that drew me in quickly was Sheldon, the main character, and the voice, which was perfect for this book.

This book is poetic as it describes things, but not creative poetry, but the honest one. The flashbacks are great, and I’m not much of a flashback fan. They added richness to the characters and yes, solid necessities.

I listened to this while driving on my headphones, while my preteen girls were listening to the radio. More than once I would bust out loud laughing. The humor is dry and on point.

The ending could have gone one of 2 ways, and that’s exactly what it did. I loved the main character and wish I knew someone like him in real life.

Over all a solid book. Would I recommend it? Yes. But not to everyone. Just to those who are patient and love a good book. A book not for entertainment’s sake, though it does. Not to challenge your thinking, though it could. But more along the lines of really good story telling.

wonderful and involved, beautifully written!

I read this for book club, and loved it. the writing and consideration is amazing. such realistic treatment of life topics.

interesting but end left me a little wanting.

confusing at times with the different time periods. the ending seeemed a bit rushed. would have liked more character development

Excellent.

A wonderful heartfelt story with a genuinely interesting and unique perspective on World War 2, Korea, Vietnam and more.a bit of action, some intrigue, plenty of family drama and touching moments, and quite a bit of humor. The performance was wonderful. I found the end a bit lacking but overall this is one that touched me and will stick with me for some time.

Even though I resent the choice

This was very well read and very well written. There were a few times I thought it went on more about something than I wanted to hear, but not enough to detract overall. This is one of the few books I have bought for my mother after reading it.

I loved the observation and the concept of the old guy who may not be who he appears to be, either to himself or to others, and yet he plows on regardless. You should read this and wonder what the 82 year olds you know are.

Loved it

Kind of a slow start, but the story and characters are mesmerizing. Now I want to visit Norway.

Fantastic book

Everything was fantastic. Narrator was amazing. Everyone really should read this book.

Nice

I wasn’t sure about it in the beginning but Man did it get me by the end.
Well done