Mind pictures

MIND PICTURES ("SPEILBIDER") is a novel set in Bergen, Norway in 1938. This prewar schene descibes a society on the countryside and in the city of Norway at that time, Norway being a small and poor country in the outskirts, way north, in Europe. On the countryside everyone is more or less poor, whereas in the city there is a big distance between the rich and the poor. The city of Bergen has some dominating families of "old money", the socalled "clan of ten", who rule the society ruthlessly. The city picture is dominated by being way behind the technical evolution elsewhere in the world. The appearance of cars is rear, even a bath tub and water closet are rare among the average population. Also the education level is low, except for in the higher circles of society. At the same time there is an awakening dramatic political situation happening in Europe, with Nazi Germany becoming an increasing treath. With this background tapestry the main caracter, Edvard Knausen, is going through a major change in his personal live, moving from the countryside to the city at the age of 26. He has a rare musical talent, which quickly exposes him to the upper circles of the Bergen society: on one hand his talent, on the other his lack of social skills in such circles.