AshehougAgency

Norwegian Elkhound, Grey

Marvin and Joakim are two brothers in their 30’s that have remained living together and work for the same company. Marvin buys a dog, Royne, for his brother, hoping that will relieve the somewhat tense atmosphere in the house. But suddenly Joakim decides to travel the world, and instead of staying in the house, Marvin ends up taking Royne to live at The Small House at Jarle’s farm. Jarle is a slightly older bachelor who has a special way with dogs. The apparent idyll between the three develop into a drama of jealousy, a drama which is boosted when Marvin finds out his brother is somewhere completely different than he though.

Praise for Norwegian Elkhound, Grey:

”Jørgen Krog has a very personal and original voice that is expressed already in the introduction to this story about Marvin and his brother Joakim … Moods and underlying text are put to use, and surprising descriptions of situations, which sometimes are drawn out to the absurd. In short, Jørgen Krog has written a witty and burlesque story from inner Østfold.”
(Dagsavisen)

”He establishes the novel’s universe and handles the main characters with elegance and precision … The men [Marvin and Jarle] move sideways and are always alert to the other, awaiting the situation. Krog adds a nice dose of comedy to it, which sometimes turns into sore tragicomedy … Krog has an indisputable talent when it comes to understated tension and chamber theatre, and he shows great psychological insight. These are strong qualities in a debut novel. In addition to this, the language is solid and stylistically confident, Krog has a keen eye for details.”
(Klassekampen)

”Debutant Jørgen Krog has written a novel that is both funny and desperate, with a highly original twist, why not let a dog play the leading part, that can foment discord between men, why not simply leave the woman as the trigger in a jealousy drama of the traditional novel depiction out of it. Bravely done! … Krog uses a resilient language to pick at the peculiarities of existence. Krog is good at observing seemingly insignificant details, but by dwelling at things, the tiniest thing becomes more than just a drop in the ocean. The ordinary lives of two ordinary men in rural surroundings becomes a scene filled with burlesque humour, with despair as the base of resonance … Jørgen Krog has written a brilliantly unpolished novel which shows a claw that can grip even larger literary achievements.”
(Adresseavisen)

”the author manages to create a special tone or mood. Even though the scenery, characters and plot are familiar, there is a weird, slightly absurd way of writing that gives the reader a different perspective on it all.”
(NRK P2)

”The story is well-told … Both the language and the composition seems thoroughly prepared, there is nothing superfluous … Krog’s writing is original and good”
(Dag og tid)

First published: 2008, Forlaget Oktober
Jørgen Krog: Biography and bibliography