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Mirror, Shoulder, Signal by Dorthe Nors (view source)
Revision as of 11:02, 5 September 2020
, 11:02, 5 September 2020no edit summary
Though it's a bit unsatisfying as a story, ultimately I thought of this as an allegorical or cautionary tale about getting stuck. In that case, the novel's title might serve as a clue to how to get out again: 'mirror' – take a good look at yourself; 'shoulder' – remember where you came from; and then 'signal' – figure out small actions that indicate your willingness to change. For Sonja that's the driving lessons, which symbolise true autonomy: once she gets her licence she'll be able to go wherever she wants.
This novel probably won't be for everyone, but it's a quick and offbeat read. It might just remind you of situations you've allowed to control you, and inspire you to find a way out.
Further reading suggestion: [[This Should be Written in the Present Tense by Helle Helle and Martin Aitken (translator)]] is a fairly similar Danish read, and [[Butterflies in November by Audur Ava Olafsdottir]] is comparable in its quirky, somewhat unplotted nature. If you'd like to try some of Nors' short stories we can recommend [[Karate Chop, and Minna Needs Rehearsal Space by Dorthe Nors|Karate Chop, and Minna Needs Rehearsal Space]].
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