• Norwegian by Night

  • By: Derek B. Miller
  • Narrated by: Sean Mangan
  • Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (3,509 ratings)

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Norwegian by Night  By  cover art

Norwegian by Night

By: Derek B. Miller
Narrated by: Sean Mangan
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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)

What listeners say about Norwegian by Night

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    1,719
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Performance
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Don't Miss This Amazing Book

I want to be very careful with my review so that I don't say too much and ruin the story if you haven't read it yet. This book is so powerful and fascinating in its depth and complexity that it needs to be experienced with an open mind and no preconceived ideas. Just let the story sweep you up and guide you through the labyrinth the author has created. The wry humor made me laugh out loud in several parts. The beautiful writing allows the reader to experience first hand the characters' interior thoughts, perceptions, and frames of reference. It focuses on ideas of war, nationalism, double standards and hind sight. A mediation on memory, meaning and how the things we are taught in life form who we are and dictate our actions. Amazing characters are brought expertly to life.

The narration started out sounding a bit like that announcer from the TV show The Twilight Zone long ago. As the reading progressed it smoothed out and improved. I think overall Sean Morgan did a fantastic job.

To me this was a page turner, a thriller, and a mystery filled with edge of your seat suspense. But much more than all of those things it made me think and it was a fantastic book. Glad I didn't miss this one!

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167 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So Sorry this Book had to End!

After cheering for Sheldon and drying my eyes when this book ended, I gave it a few minutes thought that I might have to update my "All Time Favorite Books" list. Why isn't everyone talking about this book? It was so good, yet different from anything else in the "mystery / thriller" genre.

Within minutes of this book starting, I became very invested in the life of 82 year old Sheldon and later to Paul, his neighbor's 5 year old son, as they are on the run from pure evil. Sheldon recalls his Korean War sniper days and uses that knowledge to out-wit his pursuers and survive. While some of the story is sad as Sheldon looks back over his life, I remember chuckling several times from the great wit that carries through the book. The writing and narration are worthy of the praise from many reviews.

The last 2 hours had me sitting on the edge of my seat, heart pounding. I envy all those just starting on this book. You have a great journey ahead of you. Enjoy.

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83 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Dreaded finishing this book…

Norwegian by Night made me feel that whatever book I read next would disappoint in comparison. This book raised the bar for me and I now do the required research to find other books of this caliber. I guess this book changed my reading (or listening) habits.
I am not old, male, Jewish, or an ex-marine and, yet, I strongly identified with Sheldon. Derek Miller manages to create a common ground between all of his characters and the reader. I particularly enjoyed the policewoman’s character. The book included all the fundamental elements of great storytelling for me; humor, tension, some philosophy, thoughtful characters, and profound moments.
Narration is excellent,
I agree with another reviewer who questioned, “Why isn’t everyone talking about this book?”
Get this book.

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73 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional writing and story

It took a while to sort out the story, for my ears to recognize and understand the shifts in time and voice. The complexity of the telling is integral to the story. Once my ears became accustomed I was able to follow the scrambled tale of extraordinary events taking place.

I am so glad I hung in there. This is one of the best books to which I've listened. This is an exceptionally gifted author.

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65 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed getting to know this guy

I am not a fan of mysteries and thrillers. But my husband is and so I chose it for us to listen to while driving on vacation. Glad I did. Sheldon is this wonderful, old, grumpy, Greatest Generation guy, a fish out of water in cold, dark, gentile Norway. He is Jewish down to his kishkes, not in a religious, go to synagogue way, but in the wrestling with God, justice shall you pursue way. And when he has his chance to heal a little part of the world (and himself), he grabs it without hesitation. A wonderful, insightful, gripping book.

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52 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Listen!

This was one of the most original, engaging and entertaining stories I've listened to.
I have over 300 books in my library so I've heard a wide range of stories. This is one of my top 20. I wanted to listen again as soon as it was done.
Well worth the time and credit/money.

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43 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Different but good.

Sheldon can be described as; elderly, Jewish, a New Yorker, a Korean war vet and a decent man with early dementia. Lead characters don't get more interesting or complicated than that. This book is worth a listen.

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42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great hero, an even better story...

I listen or read or to two or three novels a week, so finding true gems has become much harder to find. Norwegian By Night is not only a gem, it is destined to be a classic. The narrative is eloquent and humorous, with great depth of character.

Many thanks to Janice in Sugar Land for turning me on to this book. I always read the synopsis as well as many of your reviews. The most common superlative in the reviews was about the main character, an 82 year old American lost in Norway.

Sheldon Horowitz is one of best characters I've ever encountered in literature. He is brave, resourceful, brilliant, witty and clever. And thanks to Sean Mangan's remarkable writing, Sheldon's story is as believable as it is riveting.

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38 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Delightful Surprise!!!

Would you listen to Norwegian by Night again? Why?

I was swept into this story from the first 30 minutes. This is one of the best stories I have listened to in the last year. It is funny, tender, sad, and suspenseful at the same time.

What about Sean Mangan’s performance did you like?

He was wonderful. He captured the essence of each character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The point where all of the main players intersect...what suspense!

Any additional comments?

This book covers many bases; war, family, values, the aged, parenting, and what is truly important. This would make a great movie!

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26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Quite enjoyable at 2.5x

At normal speed and even at 1.5x, I felt like the story was dragging. I'm not sure how much was the writing and how much was the narration, but I think it was a combination. However, at 2.5x the story and narration were very enjoyable.

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20 people found this helpful