The Carriage Stone

By Sigbjorn Holmebakk and Sigbjorn Holmebakh

The first appearance in English of this finely wrought novel by Norwegian writer Holmebakk (1922-81) exploring the fundamental tensions between life and death that perhaps only love and hope can palliate. Two middle-aged men, retired Lutheran pastor Eilif Grotteland and Olav Klungland, a novelist and active communist, meet by accident outside a hospital. Olav has just visited a dying comrade, and Eilif is admitting his terminally ill wife, but these obvious reminders of death are mere introductions to the spiritual concerns that preoccupy both men. Both are at the "carriage stone" in their lives, a stone symbolizing the moment of choice between dying or living.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802313094
• ISBN13: 9780802313096
• Release Date: December 1995
• Publisher: Dufour Editions
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Superb examination of death and dying in modern life

This is a twentieth-century masterpiece that ranks with the best of Camus, Kafka and Hemingway. Should be on every reading list for courses on death and dying. Clear, crisp prose. Marvelous evocation of the western Norwegian fjord country. Excellent choice for reading groups. This is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the secular, modern Norwegian culture and society. Dramatic treatment of the Nazi occupation of Norway in WW2. Also a valuable read for clergy and students of religion. Deals powerfully with the difficulty of dealing with tragedy for an individual who lacks faith. Asks the question, is there a higher meaning? Dramatically treats the inadequacy of materialistic, socialistic philosophy in dealing with questions of life and death. This book is particularly valuable in coming to terms with late twentieth century loss of faith and weakening values.