Berlin Poplars
Berlin Poplars by Anne Birkefeldt Ragde, published by Harvill Secker in 2008, is a literary fiction work that explores the complexities of family life. Set on a farm in Northern Norway, the narrative unfolds just before Christmas when 80-year-old Anna Neshov, the family’s matriarch, falls gravely ill. This event forces her three sons, who have long been absorbed in their respective careers as an undertaker, a window-dresser, and a farmer, to reunite for the first time in years, leading to a clash of personalities and the unearthing of family secrets.
Readers will find an engaging dark comedy that delves into the dynamics of a dysfunctional family. The story captures the tension among the Neshov brothers, particularly during a pivotal Christmas dinner where discussions about inheritance reveal unsettling truths. The themes of belonging and the influence of the family farm serve as a backdrop, highlighting the characters’ struggles with their identities and connections to their roots. This edition spans 292 pages and is presented in English, inviting readers to reflect on the intricate relationships that define family life.
Official synopsis Publisher
Just before Christmas on a farm in Northern Norway, 80-year-old Anna Neshov, matriarch of a troubled family, is taken gravely ill. Her three sons have been quietly immersed in their work: one an undertaker, one a window-dresser, and the eldest running the family farm, but now they are forced to reunite for the first time in many years. Their personalities are as disparate as their careers, and tensions mount from the second they meet, climaxing over Christmas dinner when the matter of inheritance prompts the revelation of disturbing family secrets. Anne B. Ragde has created an engrossing dark comedy brought vividly to life through extraordinary characters. While perfectly in tune with their professions the Neshov sons as a family are little short of dysfunctional; nevertheless, the real theme of the novel is a sense of belonging. The farm itself defines this, with its power to draw people back to their roots, whether they like it or not.
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