Alberta Alone

By Cora Sandel

Book Overview

The work of one of Norway's most distinguished 20th-century novelists, Alberta Alone forms the last part of the Alberta trilogy, which traces the emotional development of a lethargic and unhappy girl into a self-sufficient woman. The previous volumes of this trilogy have been widely acclaimed as being among the masterpieces of contemporary literature. In this third part, which stands as a novel on its own, Alberta, now mistress to Sivert, a Norwegian artist, is living in Paris with their small son. While Sivert is involved in a liaison with a Swedish painter, Alberta falls in love with Pierre, a writer who has just returned from the First World War. After a period of conflict Sivert and Alberta return to Norway, and there Alberta's self-realisation becomes complete. With subtlety and insight, Cora Sandel depicts the gradual corrosion of a relationship, against the background of the aftermath of the Great War.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0720613140
• ISBN13: 9780720613148
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Peter Owen Publishers
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.8" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

a mature woman who breaks free!

This is actually the third volume of the Alberta trilogy. I think the review written by "a reader from London" refers to the first book, Alberta and Jacob. Alberta Alone is quite different. The novel borders on modernistic in its exploration of the process of becoming a writer. Alberta struggles with a failing relationship, motherhood, and questions of identity. The story, which takes place a few years after the First World War, is set in Bretagne, Paris, and Southern Norway. As usual, Sandel's writing is outstanding.

An isolated, hopeless-feeling girl seeks a way out

Alberta has finished school and lives at home in the north of Norway with her parents and younger brother. She's fond of her father, a magistrate who drinks too much, and mostly fears her mother who wants Alberta to be attractive and accomplished in domestic skills. Jacob is a failure at school and also causes their parents only anxiety over how he can maintain the family standing. The atmosphere at home is tense, stifling and depressed. Alberta is excruciatingly shy and doesn't know what to say to anyone. She spends most of her time reading and going for walks, taking routes that will avoid bumping in to other people. Only out in the countryside does Alberta become confident and alive. She yearns to get away, for her life to change, to meet different people. Throughout small dramas occur in the Selmer family and the town, usually about money, marriage or sex including one where Alberta becomes aware of her own sexual feelings.Although she always feels inadequate, Alberta never compromises, refusing to marry to please her parents and keeping her inner life intact. The book's strength is its portrayal of Alberta, an unusual character in literature. The book has had many fine reviews.