Carl Frode Tiller’s ”Encircling,” originally published in Norwegian in 2007 and recently translated into Swedish, unfolds in the unremarkable town of Namsos, situated on the northern coast of Norway. This seemingly insignificant setting, marked by a history of unfortunate fires, provides a fitting backdrop for Tiller’s exploration of small-town Scandinavian life and the complex dynamics of a group of friends navigating adolescence and adulthood. The novel’s premise centers around David, a member of a close-knit trio from high school, who has suffered a memory loss after an undefined breakdown. In a desperate attempt to piece together his past, David places a newspaper advertisement requesting anyone who knew him to share their recollections.
The narrative structure takes the form of epistolary contributions from those closest to David, each offering a unique and often contradictory perspective on their shared experiences. This ”encircling” of David’s past by the memories of others creates a multi-faceted portrait of their intertwined lives, highlighting the subjective nature of memory and the shifting interpretations of past events. The novel delves into the lives of these young people, particularly focusing on their time as teenagers in the 1980s. Tiller captures the familiar angst and pretension of this period, as the group embraces a sense of intellectual superiority, immersing themselves in the works of Beat poets and avant-garde filmmakers, all while cultivating a disdain for the perceived banality of their small-town surroundings. This self-proclaimed intellectualism and artistic exploration become defining characteristics of their youth, shaping their interactions and influencing the trajectories of their lives.
The reader is presented with a nuanced portrayal of this group, whose attempts to distinguish themselves from their perceived mundane surroundings often border on the theatrical and absurd. Their intellectual posturing and adoption of counter-cultural aesthetics are depicted with a blend of understanding and gentle satire. While their quest for meaning and identity is relatable, Tiller doesn’t shy away from revealing the immaturity and limitations of their perspectives. This critical yet empathetic lens allows for a deeper exploration of the complexities of their personalities and the eventual consequences of their choices. The novel doesn’t romanticize the struggles of adolescence but rather exposes the vulnerability and often misguided nature of their pursuits.
Adding a layer of intrigue to the narrative is the question of the veracity of David’s memory loss. One contributor to the collection of letters raises the possibility that David’s amnesia is not genuine but rather a contrived art project, a ”social experiment” designed to manipulate those around him. This suggestion introduces a metafictional element, blurring the lines between reality and performance and mirroring the group’s earlier tendency towards manipulative games and contrived displays of eccentricity. This ambiguity further complicates the picture of David and challenges the reader to consider the authenticity of the narratives presented. It also raises questions about the nature of memory itself and the potential for self-deception.
As the narrative unfolds through the various letters, a recurring theme emerges: the connection between the group’s youthful affectations and their later psychological struggles. What once appeared to be ”interesting and fascinating traits” in their personalities are later reinterpreted as early signs of the mental health challenges that several of them face in adulthood. Their carefully cultivated eccentricities and rebellious posturing, initially seen as marks of individuality and artistic expression, are ultimately revealed as potential manifestations of underlying psychological issues. This retrospective analysis offers a poignant reflection on the fragility of identity and the long-lasting impact of formative experiences. It also underscores the dangers of romanticizing nonconformity without acknowledging the potential for genuine psychological distress.
Tiller’s prose is marked by its understated elegance and keen observation of human interaction. He paints a vivid picture of small-town life, capturing the atmosphere and social dynamics with a precision reminiscent of Bengt Ohlsson. The detailed descriptions of the wooden houses and the pervasive sense of community create a palpable sense of place, immersing the reader in the world of Namsos. The novel’s exploration of memory, identity, and the complexities of human relationships resonates with a quiet power, leaving a lasting impression on the reader long after the final page is turned. Through the intimate and often conflicting accounts of those who knew David, ”Encircling” offers a profound meditation on the nature of personal history and the elusive search for self-understanding.
