Reflection

After reading Out Stealing Horses, I didn't really like the book. I felt that it was hard to follow due to the amount of flashbacks. The flashbacks did make the book unique and unlike anything I've ever read before, but they did add a confusing aspect to the story. Also, it was a little boring. Trond's life wasn't filled with a lot of amazing events. He had a rough childhood, which made him hesitant to take risks. The book was also super depressing. The whole book was centered around the idea of Jon's brother, Odd, killing himself under Jon's watch is a very sad idea for a book. The one thing that I really did enjoy in this book though was the use of imagery. It really allowed the reader to get involved in the book and imagine themselves actually in the setting of the story. There were parts of the book that were super interesting where imagery was used to draw the reader into the story, while other parts were just written in normal language causing the reader to lose interest and become bored. Overall, I thought the book was decent but it wasn't consistently intriguing. It was different though and was based on a very creative idea for a story.

Reflection

Out Stealing Horses was a novel that gave me an insight into a complex Character. Trond was for than just 2-d, he had a rough childhood and even a rougher adult hood. Although the book had its high points, for the most part it was extremely slow moving. It seemed as though a large portion of the book was Trond reconciling and thinking about his past. It seemed like i also couldnt relate to Trond because of the character that he was. He was a quite man who lived in a lonely house in the middle of Norweigen woods. Only after about halfway through the book did we understand enough about Trond that we saw his hesitency to befriend his neighbor. Although there were prominent parts I didnt like, I enjoyed the way the book was written. It reminded me a lot of Cormac McCarthy's style, short and to the point. overall, I didnt mind the book but I might have enjoyed another read hearing from other books that students read.

reflection

After reading the book, All The Pretty Horses by Per Petterson, I thought it was fairly dull. It did not exceed to my expectations. I was not disapointed, I just got kind of bored while reading it. The most interesting part of the novel were Trond's flashbacks, but other than that I felt as if there was just writting to fill the pages. My favorite flashback was the one when Trond and Jon were out stealing horses at Mr. Barkald's farm. I thought it showed a more lively side of Trond where he didn't depict every outcome of the situation. It was refreshing seeing Trond get involved with something, being rebellious, and enjoy himself, instead of when he is old. When he is older it seems as if he only sulks on the past and doesn't do anything interesing. The plot didn't follow much of a storyline, and in my opinion, some of the thoughts were not connected very well. I would give this book a 3 out of 5, because despite the outline of the book, it was well written. The words were well thought out, and they painted some very clear pictures.

Reflection

I really like this book so far and I am really excited to finish it. Even though I am only half way I still think this book is very interesting and an easy read. I really like the imagery that Per Peterson uses in this book. This book flows very well and it’s easy to picture the setting and characters in your head. Even though it’s an easy read, the book has some slow parts and does get kind of boring. I hope it speeds up a little because when I read, my mind likes to wander off to different places so that’s why reading this book can take awhile and I start to lose focus. But other than that this book was surprisingly very good because I didn’t think I would have liked before I started reading it. I would give this book a four out of five and I would highly recommend it to others. Another part of the book that I surprisingly enjoy are the flash backs. I would think that flashbacks would just make the book more confusing but instead it made the writing style a lot more interesting and different from other books. So far I really am enjoying this book and I can’t wait to finish it over break.

Reflection

However well written Per Petterson's Out Stealing Horses was, I found it to be severely lacking in plot. The imagery was incredibly powerful, but it was not enough to allow the reader to forge an emotional connection to the characters and events in the novel. I enjoyed the passages on their own because of Petterson's gift with words, but lost interest in the book as a whole. I felt alienated from the cultural traits since I do not have a Norwegian background or any knowledge whatsoever of Norwegian life. This book provided a somewhat obscure insight into a culture that many of its readers have little or knowledge about. I think it would be much more appreciated by someone with significant understanding of Norwegian culture. The flashbacks were intriguing and important, but lost significance because of the absence of an actual plot structure. To sum up my impression of the book, it was a well written collection of anecdotes that lost meaning when combined  together to form a novel. I would recommend this book to a book club because it would be much easier to appreciate when broken into smaller sections and discussed. 

Reflection

While I can appreciate the writing style and imagery of Out Stealing Horses, I really did not enjoy reading it. I come from a very strong Norwegian heritage, and while I got a better feel for landscape and lifestyle in Norway, I felt no connection. Of course, it must be taken into account that the book has been translated, but while keeping this in mind, the plot was just not captivating. I was excited to read this book when I first heard about it, but I wouldn't recommend it now that I have gotten through it. Petterson's use of imagery pulls you in to the scene, but when there is nothing interesting to be watching other than scenery, it can become mundane. It's hard to appreciate a book if it isn't one that keeps you entertained. However, some good aspects of this novel were the facts that Petterson kept his writing to the point, and never strayed from his storyline. It would be useful for teaching how to write concisely, but summer reading? Incoming sophomores would appreciate this more than The Iliad, I'm sure, but in the end would go insane trying to analyze it. Theres not enough action to interest them, and it would just be another chore at home to make them read it.

Reflection

I have enjoyed this book so far. It has relaxed and reflective feel to it. The writing style addes to that feeling. The language is pretty simple which makes it feel layed back but with plenty of imagery which makes it feel relaxed (as if the reader has time to stop and enjoy the view). This is the type of book where you can just sit down and read it but you do not feel the need to be constantly reading it. It was not at all suspenseful which was dissapointing to me. I enjoy many types but this quarter I had wanted to read a mystery by Mary Higgins Clark because I can just read her books for hours. But I still have to give this book credit. Trond's character seems so human. Although I can relate to him and his life in no ways, I can understand him and sympathize for him because his character is written to be the type of character that could have actually lived. I also am surprised how this book can take the reader into a whole other world without being a fantasy or science fiction book. This is because the Norway in this book is completely different than the world I live in.

Reflection

Out Stealing Horses was a very interesting book. I didn’t like it because the plot wasn’t extremely complex or exciting but the plot contains a lot of meaning. I was also extremely captivated by the book’s great use of imagery. I have been to Norway and so when scenes are described in the book of the beautiful countryside, I can’t help but close my eyes and become immersed in the wonderful landscape. That is one the reasons that I really liked this book. I also liked this book because it made me proud of my heritage and I learned about all the essential things to a typical Norwegian. This is the first time that I have read a book about Norway for class and I like to learn about my heritage. I enjoyed the mention of the Norwegian resistance in the middle of the book because my mother has told me about the resistance before. I also was comforted by the reserved nature of Trond and the other characters because that is one of most important parts of Norwegian society, Modesty. Personally I enjoyed this book for it’s emotional meaning and it’s connection to my heritage rather than it’s literary worth.

Reflection

Overall the Novel Out Stealing Horses was a very well written book. I probably would never have picked it on my own but I am glad I was given the opportunity to read it. There were many aspects of the book which I very much enjoyed, one of them being the imagery Petterson incorporated. Imagery was the backbone of the novel because it really provided a clear picture during foggy parts of the book. I was able to feel like I was walking right next to Trond in many of the scenes. When Trond discovers his father with Jon's mother I was able to feel his confused, mixed emotions he was feeling while seeing them sitting together on the bench. Another aspect of the novel I really enjoyed was the setting. Each scene occured in a very calm quiet atmosphere which I really enjoyed. I liked how it was in Norway and not somewhere typical like the United States, Africa, or the Middle East. Overall I would give the novel a 4 out of 5, I don't think I would reccomend it for outside reading next year either because throughout most of the book it was a little slow and hard to concentrate.

Reflection

When I first began reading this novel I thought it seemed a little interesting but it did not really grab my attention. It did not give off the feeling to encourage me to keep reading it. Personally, I had a hard time reading "Out Stealing Horses" because I never quite got into it and grasped a good sense of the book. The story line seemed a little bland and needed some more exciting parts. Although I did think the imagery it contained was pretty great there needed to be other great parts as well. I did very much like the flashbacks though because they showed a different side to Trond when he was younger. I think the book could have been better had it taken place when Trond was a kid because his life seemed more interesting then his adult life. I would give this book a 2.5-3 out of 5 stars just because the story line was not very captivating. The writing style was good though and it was interesting because it was a translated book. I am not sure if I would suggest this book to someone but if I did I wouldn't tell them to get their hopes up too high. 

Reflection

The book Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson was surprisingly a very interesting and well writen book. The story line might have been a little boring for me at times, because I just get bored really easliy, but wasn't boring enough for me to put the book down for good. Per Petterson did an excellent job I thought because his writting was to the point. I have never liked books that go on and on about random stuff that isn't important to the story line, Petterson describes hat he needs to describe and moves on, I love that about his writting. I wasn't wowed by the story because I'm not much of a reader and don't like books other than sports and action books but this seemed to keep my attention just long enough to finish it. Overall, I thought this book had a decent storyline and Petterson did an excellent job of telling a story rather than excessively describing it.

reflection

Overall, I thought "Out Stealing Horses" was a goodbook. There were some dull parts, but also some interesting ones.I really liked the flashbacks because his life as an old man wasn't as interesting as when he was younger. I like how he was reflecting back on his life and that explained why he lived the way he did. Per Petterson did a very good description of setting, which I think added to the plot a lot. One of the things i enjoyed about this book was that I could always picture the setting in my head. It's always good to have effective imagery so the reader better understands the story and what's going on. Per Petterson used very effective imagery which made the book more interesting. This wouldn't be the first book I would recommend to someone because at some points it was very dull, but it did have some interesting points as well so it's not too bad to read. Overall, I liked this book at times, but at some parts it was a little boring.

Reflection

I ended up liking the novel. At first I didn't enjoy it very much, it seemed mundane and boring, but then I read Mrs. Alvarez's novel and my opinion changed. Where do I begin with this novel? The a few great aspects of this book are its descriptions of setting. One of the reasons this novel wasn't a failure was because of its not too much, not too little use of descriptions. The storyline was interesting as well. I especially enjoyed that there were perspectives of Trond as an adult and as a kid through flashbacks. Some parts caught my emotions, and that is the mark of a good novel. In the end I would rate this book 3.5 stars out of 5 because it was decent but not my choice read. This is a good candidate for summer reading, although I think it would be much more enjoyable for the incoming sophmores to read Mr. Achebe's novel over, and over again throughout the year, because in my opinion it was the most worthwhile read that we've encountered so far.

WEEK 5 REQUIREMENTS

Welcome to Week Five, and our last week week of blogging. This week's post should be on your overall thoughts about the book. It must be a ten sentence reflection. You do not need to comment on anyone else's blog, but your post should be up here by Sunday, March 29 You should have made up any missing work by then as well.

Question.

In his later years Trond is all alone. Is Trond entirely content with this lifestyle?

Question

At the start of chapter five, Trond has a dream that causes him to feel very upset. After the dream, he claims it isn't death he fears. If he isn't afraid of death, then what is he afraid of?

Question

I have been wondering this myself and would like to hear other people reactions, What was the point of the scene where Trond helps his neighbor find his dog? Does that have any significance? Is Petterson foreshadowing to something?

Question

Why do you think that Trond decides to move to the rural countryside? Does he prefer to be isolated, or is he scared to not be? What is Lyra's significance in his life alone?

Question

What do you think is the purpose of the flashbacks throughout the novel? Do they help explain Trond's character? Why or why not.

Blog 4

why does Trond go along with whatever Jon says?

QUESTION

What defines someone who is lonely? Would you consider Trond lonely, if so why?

My Question

What do you think the defining moments in Trond's life are? Why?

Week Four Question

Do you think Trond and Lars will become closer with one another as the novel progresses? Why or why not.

Question

How do you think Tronds life will change after the end of the novel? Do you think he will continue to remain isolated?

Question

At the beginning of the book, Trond claims his reason for moving to the country is because, "I need to concentrate" (7). Do you think Trond is being brave by moving, like he always wanted to? Or do you think he's just fleeing from the responsibilities of life?

A New question

I changed my mind and like this question better.
Trond and the mechanic discuss the impact their fathers had on them. Trond and his father seem so different and don't seem to connect. What impact do you think Trond's father had on him?

My Question

Since Trond was always such a reserved and lonely child, why did he choose to live all alone in his little house as an adult? How could he go through 67 years of life with such limited human contact without losing his sanity?

Question

Why s it that Trond loves the relationship that he had with his father, but they seemed to never communicate, just work work work.

question

Why does Trond choose to go along with whatever Jon says, and never stands up for what he knows is wrong?

Week Four

Welcome to Week Four!

For this week's blog you will post a thought-provoking question that does not have only one answer. Remember that you must make 10 comments this week, not 5. Please do not leave this until the last minute, you have the whole week to get it done.

Literary Aspects

Per Peterson uses many literary aspects in his writing. The most commonly used literary aspect in the novel is imagery. The novel is told through Trond Sander's flashbacks. Since the novel takes place in the countryside of Norway I believe that the description of the setting needs to be done in an extraordinary way. Per Peterson does a nice job describing things thouroughly but not to the point where I am getting beaten by a barrage of random useless descriptions. Here is a description of the river after a night's rain "The water flowed more swiftly now after the drenching rain, running higher up the boulders along the banks, and it swelled and rocked with a faint shine of silver, I could see it from some way off, and the sound of the river was the only sound I heard" (100-101). As shown by the quote above, Per Peterson only adds what descriptions are needed, and his passages flow brilliantly. I believe that without imagery this book would be a missing out on so much. This is because if a book is written about the natural areas of Norway the nature must be described. I believe that Per Peterson does this excellently.

literary aspects

In Out Stealing Horses there Per Petterson uses many literary aspects to help enhance the novel and make it more interesting. I believe that the most important of these literary aspects is the usage of imagery. I think that imagery is very important because it helps the reader paint a picture in their head and aids the reader in getting more involved with the literature. Usually Petterson's way of writing is very literal and straight forward, there is not a lot of figurative language that is used. To spice up is writing Petterson uses senses to create a better image of the surroundings and the nature outdoors in the book. The way Trond describes his house and where he lives is very simple but it is easy to vividly imagine such a place in your mind. " There was a silence all around us. There had been days and nights of rain and wind and incessant roaring in the pines and the spruce, but now there was absolute stillness in the forest, not a shadow moving, and we stood still, my neighbour and I, staring into the dark, then I felt certain there was something behind me" (page 9). In this passage Trond is describing his surroundings which I can easily picture in my mind. It is his descriptive language like this that helps make the book even more enjoyable. 

imagery

For me, imagery seems to be the most important literary element and combining it with the simple word choice creates an even clearer mental picture for the reader. The author has Trond use simple, but descriptive words to effectively convey a picture to the reader get the point across. This makes it easy for the reader to imagine what the character is experiencing. An example of this is when Trond is explaining the rain outside, he says "We heard the rain battering the roof and it rained on the river and on Jon's boat and on the road to the shop and on Barkald's meadows, it rained over the forest and the horses in their paddock and all the birds' nests in all the trees, over the moose and over hare, and on every roof in the village, but inside the cottage it was warm and dry." (p.39) Here Trond is giving a clear image of the rain all around him so the reader can clearly picture it raining all over and then Trond arriving at his warm little cottage. The simple language is easy to follow, which makes the picture the author is describing easier to visualize. In this quote it also shows how the cabin is a comfort to arrive home to. Trond describes the rain all over "on every roof in the village" but then being warm and dry inside the cabin. The author is able to effectively uses simple language to create a strong image for the reader, which I think is the most important literary element because it makes the story more interesting for the reader when they are able to read the words and get a picture in their head.

Literary Aspects, Imagery

Per Petterson has become one of my favorite authors in just the past two weeks due to a multitude of things. There is one part of his writing that stands out from the rest is his use of imagery in the book Out Stealing Horses. The post we had to do last week on setting is a good example of imagery. My quote for setting can be used for imagery, "There were trees on the land my father had bought as well as a pasture. Mostly spruce, but pine as well, and here and there a slim birch was almost squeezed in between the darker trunks, and all of them grew right down the river bank, where in some mysterious way a wooden cross had been nailed up on a pine tree that grew at the edge of the pebbles, almost overhanging the rushing water," (49). I don't know about you, but this quote gives me a great visual of Trond's fathers pasture. "Down the road and across the river, past Lars' cottage and out onto the main road through the forest, I see the lake sparkling through the trees on the right until suddenly it is behind me, and then it's across the an open plain of yellow, long-since harvested fields on both sides. There are large flocks of crows flying over the fields. They make no sound in the sunlight. At the other end of the plain a sawmill lies beside a river, wider than the one I can see from my house but flowing into the same lake," (64). This is a pretty long quote but it gets the job done. It gives you an exceptional visual of what Trond is seeing and is straight to the point without filler sentences. The biggest pet peeve of mine are filler sentences like useless similes or metaphors because as a reader you can make your own relationships between certain things. Imagery in this book by Per Petterson gives the book an element that many books I have read seem to be missing. In my mind imagery is one of the most important aspects of a book because if the author uses it well it gives the reader the "walking in another persons shoes" effect, making the reader a part of the story.

Imagery

In Out Stealing Horses, Per Petterson use imagery to make events vivid in the minds of the reader. The use of imagery in the book is so important because it seems to me that the strongest part of the whole book. More of a chapter is spent describing a scene rather than dialogue and that really emphasizes that the biggest character in the whole book is the setting “I get in the car and drive off. Down the road and across the river, past Lars’ cottage and out onto the main toad through the forest, and I see the lake sparkling though the trees on the right until suddenly it is behind me, and then it’s across an open plan of yellow long since harvested fields on both sides.” (64). This passage shows the intense level of detail the Petterson uses to entice the reader to continue on in the mental picture book that is Out Stealing Horses. The scene where Trond wakes in the barn has a part when the milkmaid comes in to milk the cow: “I sat watching her with my back against the wall in the light of the lamp she had hung from a hook beside the stall; the knotted scarf holding back her hair; the light on her face, her inward-looking gaze and the half smile, her bare arms and the bare knees glowing faintly…” (104). This is such a vivid description that I can clearly imagine the character. Petterson makes the character of the milkmaid seem so much like a memory that the reader has that I almost decided not to call her a character that is how real the image was. That is also part of the reason why imagery is so important. There is little dialogue in the book and the only way to get to know a character is through their descriptions such as Jon’s mother’s kindness and beauty. Since the characters in this book only speak when it is necessary the images take a strong control of the emotions and feelings conveyed by the characters.

Figurative Language

In the novel Out Stealing Horses, written by Per Petterson, the most commonly used literary element is imagery that is found in many of Trond's flashbacks. The imagery in the novel is very descriptive and vivid in order to help visualize Trond's past. For example, while Trond and Jon were out stealing horses one day, Trond fell of his horse. He took a hard fall and to explain his feelings afterwards, Petterson uses different similies to imitate the emotions. On page 25 Trond recalls,
"...my head was empty, no thoughts, everything quite clean and the sky transparently blue, and I didn't know what I was called or even recognise my own body. Unnamed, I floated around looking at the world for the first time and felt it strangely illuminated and glassily beautiful, and then I heard a whinny and thundering hooves, and it all came back like a whirring boomerang and hit me on the forehead with a crack..."
In this passage there is a similie used comparing a boomerang and a the quick comemoration of what just happened. Also, there are many different pictures present in this passage. Petterson incoorporates different pure scenes where the sky is transparently blue, everything is quite clean, and there were no thoughts. It gives the reader images to put into their brain, and put themselves in the spot of Trond. This event of Trond falling is one of various significant events that includes figurative language, while other lesser events get staight to the facts and information. Throughout the book, the text is explained right to the point and there is not much figurative language.

Imagery

In the book Out Stealing Horses, the author used a variety of literary elements.  The one I consider to be most important is his use of imagery. I think this is very important because this allows the reader to fully grasp what the author is trying to convey. All of his descriptions include at least one of the senses and allow the reader to relate and understand. Also, it didn't matter if the reader really even knew what the author was describing because the imagery allowed the reader to imagine and create a vivid picture of the item in their minds. The imagery also makes the book more interesting and easy to read. Trond's lines sound interesting. The book isn't at all boring because the reader always has a picture in their head with more detail being added with every remark Trond says. Another aspect that I feel is extremely important is the use of flashbacks. The entire book is based on an event that took place in his childhood. For this to fully be revealed to the reader, there must be flashbacks. Every flashback is different and creates a new picture in the reader's head. When Trond is describing the time he was stealing horses, he included many details that portrayed his emotions and let the person reading relate to the events taking place. 

Week 3

Petterson does not use figurative language very often. Most of what he has written has a very literal meaning to it. Figurage language is most present during Trond's recollections of his childhood. Memories from childhood often are remembered not in a literal way. For instance, Trond recalls going "out stealing horses"(40, and numerous other instances) with Jon not in a literal sense. Imagination that children creates figurative memories. This is why the most figurative language is used retrospectively.
The voice of Trond in this novel is a significant literary element. His voice is particularly informing when Trond is interracting with others and through his view of others. Trond's voice is a key descriptor of his personality. Trond goes off on a tangent: "Presumably I had seen it on a film... But I hate being entertained... Anyway, I did not learn to sharpen a chainsaw from my father" (72). Trond started by telling of his past and watching others with chainsaws. Then he goes on to a tangent about entertainment before finally making his point. This portrays Trond as a storyteller. He feels the need to share background information. His voice in this quote allows one to understand him better. This quote also shows that Trond enjoys factual things rather than emotions. He shares all that he did but not his emotions. Similarily Petterson does not create Trond as an emotional person.

Word Choice

The most important literary element in Out Stealing Horses is word choice. Patterson tediously describes each event with words that appeal to all five senses so that the reader can imagine how each scene feels. One example of this painstaking word choice is when Trond is describing how it smelled after cutting down his dead tree. "There was the scent of new-felled timber. It spread from the track-side to the river, it filled the air and drifted across the water and penetrated everything everywhere and made me numb and dizzy" (74). Patterson's word choice and descriptive language conveys the scene in a way that the reader can feel as if they are Trond. In the passage, Patterson uses the word "penetrated" to describe how the scent became a part of everything. Had he used a less descriptive word, the passage wouldn't have been as clear or strong. Another use of Patterson's expert word choice is to share much information with the reader without using many words. An example of this is when Trond sees Olav, the mechanic, working at his desk. "There sits Olav the mechanic on a chair in front of a computer screen with long shining columns of figures. None of them is red, as far as I can see" (69). Along with expressing the scene visually, Patterson incorporates information about Olav. In two sentences, the reader is able to envision the room, including the computer with "shining columns of figures" and finds that Olav is mechanic, and good business man (since none of the figures are red). So, the most important literary element in Out Stealing Horses is word choice.

Literary Aspects

Without much dialogue, a novel can easily slip through a reader's fingers because they feel as though they are scrambling to put together a scene rather than sitting back and watching it play out before them. In Out Stealing Horses, Petterson uses a wide range of literary elements, with the most important of which being his imagery. The simple but effective way of describing the scenes allows the reader to sit back and become immersed in the story. After dancing in the rain with his father, it is impossible to not see the stove he describes, warming the house - "He ran his hand through his hair with the towel round his hips he went to the stove, tore an old newspaper into strips and twisted them and pushed them into the firebox, then arranged three sticks of firewood around the paper and put a match to it." (86) Although many of us have not seen an old fashioned stove in use, we can see the father building this little fire inside it and begin to feel the warmth spread through us as well. We might as well be on a rocking chair in the corner of the little room ourselves.

Another interesting technique that Petterson uses is short, concise sentences to show emphasis. On page 139, he begins the chapter, "I sit on the bench for a long time gazing out over the lake. Lyra is running about. I don't know what is happening. Something slides off me. The nausea has gone, my thoughts are clear. I feel weightless. It is like being saved. From shipwreck, from obsession, from evil spirits." Though he is skipping around a little bit, it is clear to the reader why these thoughts are going through his head and makes the reader think deeply about them as well. If he used longer statements and explained every thought, it wouldn't be as personal, or thought-provoking.

Literary Aspects (Imagery)

In Out Stealing Horses, I think the best literary aspect that is used is imagery. I really like the way Trond describes the things around him because it paints a great picture in the reader’s heads. With the great imagery that is shown in the book, helps the readers feel more engaged in the slower or boring chapters. “The red painted outhouse wall threw a warm glow across the yard”(9). When I started reading this book I noticed this description and it caught my eyes right away. I really like how Trond describes almost every scene in deep detail because it puts a clear picture in my head and it’s very interesting. The detail and imagery that is used in the story seems to show that Trond is a mellow and quiet character. The detail used is very relaxing and gives the story a warm feel to it. I like this because it relaxes me but sometimes the soft detail relaxes me too much and I start to get way too tired. Other than that the imagery used in the story is really creative and is used very well.

Literary Aspects

In Out Stealing Horses there are numerous literary elements placed through out the story told by Trond. Many of these figuritive elemts are seen when Trond recapes his past. An example is how Trond, even to his older age, see's the remote area of Norway as a place for his dad and him to connect. Another great example of Literary Elements is the way Tronds past is recollected by Trond when hes older. This in itself gives us an easy flow from his past and why such things like the scenery and people were important to Trond. But this literary Element also can be somewhat of a difficult concept in certain parts. Sometimes in the midst of reading about Trond walking up at night I quickly get confused and find myself reading about a boy (Trond) swimming as a kid. It just seems as though there is not a distinct change from periods. But overall, there are a number of elemts that are used for one purpose or another.

Literary Aspects

The most important Literary Aspect in Out Stealing Horses definitley has to be imagery. Tronds narration is in no way, shape, or form dull or boring because of this. The way Trond describes everything around him is unbelievable. While Trond, his father, Jon's father, and Franz are cutting down the trees Trond describes each and every sense. He describes each persons scent as resin, and describes the scene where he is with Jon's mother as him being totally out of it and not thinking through each action. He describes the scene with Jon's mother by saying, "I was Jon's mother who smelled of sun and resin as I no doubt did myself, but also of something more that made me dizzy, just as the forest made me dizzy and on the verge of tears, and I did not want her to be the mother of anyone living or dead." (81) Although this quote is very long I cut it short so it didn't take up the entire post. This is an excellent example of Petterson's imagery usage in the novel, the reader, at least I did, is able to feel as though he/she is Trond for just that little segment and going through the motions thoughtlessly. I love this novel because I am able to picture each and every scene because of Petterson's awesome imagery techniques and usage, I am able to feel like I am actually there next to Trond whether it's walking through the pouring rain, or whether he is waking up in a dairy stall next to cows.

Literary Aspects

The most prevalent literary aspect in Per Petterson’s Out Stealing Horses, is imagery. Petterson’s vivid descriptions help the reader to appreciate the sometimes slow-moving story line, as we are able to let his eloquent imagery really sink in. With lines such as “The rack stood as if it had been there forever across the landscape and lit by the sun with its long shadow behind it, and in harmony with every fold of the field and finally turned into mere form, a primordial form” (66) it is easy to imagine the very scene that Trond is describing. Petterson does not use a large amount of dialogue so it is particularly crucial that his use of imagery is so effective. By using imagery, Petterson allows Trond’s story to read like a diary entry, and less like a script. Although many of his readers have never been to Norway, and most likely don’t know what a “hay rack” (66) is, we are still able to connect to the story because of the powerful imagery. Readers are able to gain an insight into aspects of Norwegian culture and lifestyle that we would otherwise know nothing about. IT is because of the beautiful and vast amount of imagery in Out Stealing Horses that make it such a reverent and enjoyable novel. 

Week Three

Welcome to Week Three of the Discussion! This weeks discussion will run from Monday, March 9 to Sunday, March 15.

This week's discussion will be on figurative language and literary elements in your book. Please find an example of these in your book and POST a 10-sentence comment on it. Don't forget to comment on 5 other posts on this blog. You have all week to complete this assignment, please don't wait until the last minute.

Setting

Out Stealing Horses takes place in rural Norway. Trond's house specifically is on a high point that overviews the lake. Trond's house is called The Top, because it is at the high point. Trond's house is a simple cabin. Trond lives right down the road from Jon's little brother Lars. The setting in the flashbacks is also the countryside of Norway. Trond and Jon's families both live on the river. The boys also spend time out in the woods and in the fields as well. The setting is in important in this novel because it brings rise to certain situations which further the novel. One example is the tree-trimming competition between the boys father's. Another example is the trouble mentioned about snow on Trond's home road.

Setting

Unlike many books I have read Out Stealing Horses has a very enjoyable setting that doesn't overpower the rest of the storyline. Per Petterson does an excellent job on describing everywhere the characters venture to without explaining it to much where we can't even picture it in our heads. "There were trees on the land my father had bought as well as a pasture. Mostly spruce, but pine as well, and here and there a slim birch was almost squeezed in between the darker trunks, and all of them grew right down the river bank, where in some mysterious way a wooden cross had been nailed up on a pine tree that grew at the edge of the pebbles, almost overhanging the rushing water," (49). I love this line even though it is very long. Petterson doesn't over exaggerate the trees or the river because he doesn't have to. The way he describes the setting just seems to be perfect in any situation of the book. I feel that to many books over describe the setting with similes and metaphors which sometimes adds depth to the writing but also gives to much detail to where you can't even imagine it. Many people have different preferences on how setting should be described. I prefer simple, to the point descriptions because I don't want to read a full page on what a tree looks like or what type of fish are swimming in the river. Petterson does an marvelous job of this which makes me enjoy this book a lot more. The setting in this book from the cabins to the fields and the woods all lay a foundation to the storyline of the book which many writers seem to have trouble doing.

Setting

The setting of this book takes place in Norway. The area of Norway that it is set in is near in the countryside of Norway. The area is lacking in people and full of nature. To me it seems that the setting is much stronger than the characters. Unlike other books where the setting could be quite interchangeable this setting is not. The harsh conditions have made the characters the way that they are, strong and practical. The demanding and rugged nature of the setting commands the characters to heed and follow the weather. Trond talks of the roads where he is forced off and the he also struggles with the how he will plow in winter. Also in his youth the rough waters of the creek and burning summer sun demand that the character’s act with strength to battle against the setting. Ultimately the characters know that the violent and powerful setting that surrounds them controls their lives.

Setting

Out Stealing Horses is set in rural Norway. Specifically, Trond Sander lives in a run down cabin on a hill overlooking a lake near the Swedish border. Patterson takes his time describing the setting so that each vivid detail can be imagined when one reads his book. There is also another setting we have seen in this story; when Trond flashes back, his summer home is described. His summer home, also in rural Norway, is near a river and in the midst of a forest. The settings of the book so far, simplistic and bare, reflect Trond Sander himself. Trond enjoys being alone, has few possessions, and doesn't worry about things very much. Similarly, the book is set in small, simple towns where the houses are spaced far apart and most of the populates are quiet and simple as well. The settings not only reflect Trond's simplicity, but prove it as well. The fact that Trond chose to live in a small town in rural Norway and from that town, chose a cabin on the top of a high hill shows that he doesn't need much to keep him content and that he enjoys being by himself. Therefore, the setting tells much about Trond Sander.

Setting

The setting of Out Stealing Horses takes place in a remote location in Norway. Trond Sander resides in what I pictured as, a small semi-rundown but very cozy cabin. His cabin is near a lake and right next to a forrest. Trond lives with his dog Lyra and takes her on a walk through the woods each morning before dawn. I feel that the setting of the novel really resembles Tronds character in a way that it is far away from society, very quiet and peaceful, and that it is very simple. Trond has one neighbor who he rarely sees and thats about it. Petterson does a marvelous job describing each setting by using very vivid descriptions of each place. I myself have no trouble pictureing each setting in my mind, it is as though I am watching a movie. From the time that Jon and Trond go to steal the horses all the way up through when Jon walks up the steps into the cabin him and his dad live in I feel as if I am almost there walking beside Trond through the pouring rain. I am excited to explore other settings that Petterson may have in store for me as a reader later on in the novel.

Setting

The setting in "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson takes place in a rural area somewhere in Norway. Trond lives in a small cabin in the woods in the middle of no where. Trond has one neighbor and a dog names Lyra. He does not have much communication with the outside world. His only access to people is through the news. This is a very interesting book because it's setting greatly reflects the character's personality and thoughts. Trond is a very simple and down-to-earth man and he lives in a very simple area. The remoteness of the landscape allows Trond to reflect upon times when he was younger and to think about old memories. Trond spends a great deal of time alone, giving him self time to remember the past. Trond likes to be alone, explaining why he choses to live a quiet life. There is lake behind his house that triggers memories of fishing with his father. 

Setting

The very beginning of "Out Stealing Horses," by Per Petterson takes place in an isolated area of Norway. Trond lives in a small cabin in the woods with his dog, Lyra. He has only one neighbor, who he rarely sees. Trond appreciates where he lives in because he enjoys being alone. Through the descriptions of the landscape, the area seems to be very peaceful. With all the peace and quiet, Trond is able to reflect back on his life. He remembers back to the summers when he was younger. During the flashback chapters Trond lives in a cabin with his father during the summer. During the other seasons he and his father live in town with his mother and sister. He spends time with his friend Jon, but later it is shown that Trond would much rather be alone. I think that the setting is related to Trond's personality. The setting seems very laid-back and clam, just like him. I also think the setting when Trond was younger, along with the events that have occured in his life influenced his decision to live in the simple way he does.

Setting

The plot of All the Pretty Horses is set in an isolated town in Norway. The scenery described in the book stays somewhat the same, even though Trond will have flashbacks to his childhood. Trond is the kind of character that fits the remote feeling portrayed in the novel. He likes to keep to himself a lot, so that he can reflect on his past. The house that he stayed at during the summers of his childhood was located in a peaceful wooded area with a pond nearby that connected to a ranch. This kind of landscape is similar to when Trond grows up and lives by himself with his dog, in a forested surrounding. The setting where the book takes place, not only allows Trond time to immerse himself into his past, but it gives him the opportunity to rethink his actions and ponder over all of the little details. The way the author, Per Petterson describes the setting is picturesque. He is able to include little details that the reader won't notice right away, but will help give them an idea of exactly what everything looked like. For example he writes, "...hard strokes straight into the stream, let the boat drift a stretch and rowed again until we reached the opposite shore about fifty meters down". (pg 18) Petterson uses an aproximate length in his description of the pond, that most authors wouldn't include because it can make stories uninteresting, but he has a good skill at including small facts that fit into the story seamlessly.

Setting

The book is set in a small town with a tiny population in Norway. I find this book really interesting because it is one of the few books I have read where the setting represents the character's personality. Trond is someone who truly likes to be alone. He loves to think and reflect on events that have taken place throughout his life time. He also likes to recall memories. The setting represents this in multiple ways. First, he lives alone by himself with his dog. There is really no neighbors aside from one who lives a good distance away from Trond. In my opinion, this shows the fact he likes to be alone. If he didn't, he would have found someone to live with and perhaps started a family. Secondly, he lives by a lake. This represents how he likes to refelct on life events. He used to fish in lakes with his father, along with hangout with Jon. One thing I did notice is the setting brings sadness to Trond. There are things, like the lake, that bring back childhood memories that cause Trond to feel alone and unhappy.

Setting

The setting in out Stealing Horses is set in a remote town in Norway and Trond Sanders lives in a little house in the woods. The setting, to me, seems very peaceful and very secluded. I see the old cabin as a very small log cabin that is dark but at the same time very cozy and peaceful. The reason why I see Tronds cabin as peaceful is because he gets to think about his past which makes Trond feel happy. Next to his small house is a lake that reminds him of his childhood and reminds him of his best friend Jon and his father. Even though Trond is alone, he still gets a chance to think and reflect on what had happened or what is happening in his life. The setting that is described when Trond is an adult seems very different to the setting described when Trond is a kid. The setting when Trond is an adult seems really dark and deserted because of the fact that he is pretty much alone and that the only thing that is still in the secluded area is his memories. The setting described when Tond is a kid seems more light and upbeat because of the fact he his best friend with him. I like how Per Petterson describes two settings because it allows me to create a stronger visual of the setting.

Setting

So far in Out Stealing Horses it has been extremely easy to visualize the setting of each event. Trond's cabin is set in a very remote area of Norway, and he spends a great deal of time alone. The image in my head is of a smaller, run-down log cabin with very bare furnishings. With the way that Petterson describes each event, it is difficult to not have a clear mental image of the scene. In the beginning of the novel, when Trond is describing his adventure with Jon, a lucid image presents itself of the boys in their attempt to "steal" horses. The scene plays out of a boy hanging from a tree branch and dropping just a bit too soon onto a galloping horse, and becoming sick from the pain- and then proceeds to get thrown over a barbed wire fence. It is impossible to not picture a teenage Trond and his misfortune in your mind. Another outstanding instance is when Trond is describing the way he put together the events of the day that Lars shot Odd. Because Trond is explaining it the way he sees it in his mind, it is as if the reader is watching the scene play out along with him. Petterson's writing evokes strong feelings from the reader about the book and therefore allows them to easily picture the setting that he so beautifully but simply paints.

Setting

Though setting is not something that Per Petterson dwells extensively on, he uses such eloquent language is describing the location of our characters that it is almost impossible not to be able to picture the events of Out Stealing Horses in your head. What makes his descriptions of setting so successful is his ability to go from broad to intricate details in the same sentence. Trond seems confined to his small town life as a child, and as an adult he delights in his little house in the woods. The small town aspect of the book allows for much contention, such as the unknown (as through chapter 6) dispute between Jon and Trond’s fathers. On the other hand, small town life does have its advantages, such as when the friendly mechanic gives him the name of a neighbor to plow his driveway. Another advantage of small-town living is that the whole community works together to help each other harvest the hay and pine trees. Petterson’s description of setting effortlessly fills the pages, only interrupted briefly by dialogue. For much of the book, Trond and his father have a quiet relationship, but the true joy shared among them is first seen when they go dancing in the storm. “We stopped on the threshold under the eaves and saw water pounding the ground all about us, It was an impressive, almost intimidating sight, and for a moment we just stood there, staring”(92). One can visualize the astounding sight of the storm just outside the Sanders’ small cabin on the hill. So far in the book, Per Petterson’s effortless integration of setting helps to further enhance the compelling story. 

Setting

Out Stealing Horses is set in a remote town in Norway [both in Trond's memories and his days as an old man]. The 67-year-old Trond lives far away from anyone, except for his one neighbor he had never talked to before the night he lost his dog. Even that neighbor lives a fair distance away. All of his time alone gives him a chance to just think to himself and reflect on his long life. Surrounding his small cabin are reminders of his past, which seem to bring him some sadness and loneliness. For example, the lake right by his cabin is where he used to fish with his dad. The secluded, lonely setting of Trond's life as an old man is a symbol for his lonesome feelings. But in a way, the peace would be an enjoyable change for him since he grew up in a boring small town. Though the small town life seemed nice, after an entire life time one would want something different, like a big city or a secluded old cabin.

Setting

Out Stealing Horses is a novle mostly set in a remote town in Norway. Trond gets a different kind of expeirence from living there than probably anyone else. He lives basically in the middle of no-where. He only has one neighbor, but he is a good half a quarter of a mile away. His run-down cabin is a main peice of work that he fixes up here and there. Next to his house is a lake that reminds him of the many things he did down there both with Jon and his father. From living alone, Trond gets to think a lot on his own and reconcile his past. In this Norweigen region there is a lot of snow which at first worries Trond. Another aspect of the small region is that it has a small town that lets everyone know everyone. Trond befriends the Mechanic who helps him with his car.

#2 Post

In the book Out Stealing Horses the setting is taken place in Norway. The main character Trond lives in a rural cabin on a hill over looking a lake. The area he lives in doesn't have a lot of people and is very nature filled. The setting really defines Trond because it demands him to be strong due to the weather and the harsh living conditions. Trond chose to live in a rural area by himself (other than his dog) shows his very content and likes the silence with himself. This book is very descriptive and makes me feel like I am there watching everything happen from a distance. Per Petterson is a great author and I'm excited to see what else he has in store.

Setting

The book is set in Norway. The area of Norway that the book is set in is very much so secluded which reflects Trond's character. I found the setting interesting because of where the book is located and how Americans perceive Norway that the story could take place at any time. Because Trond secludes himself almost completely, no world events are mentioned also making it plausible for the story to have taken place at any time. It is not just that the story is set in Norway but that Trond has returned to Norway that are significant things to consider dealing with the setting. The land around him and seeing his boy again from his childhood spark his memories. Nowhere but Norway could have done that Trond. When Trond is an old man, the land around reflects his character. He is not located near anywhere else. When Trond reflects back on his childhood, all is different when the landscape is described. The stream by his house growing up was mentioned, the fields, and trees. It is also noticable that Trond grew up with other people around. Jon lived close by. Trond was located close to town and close enough to his neighbors that he and Jon could go out stealing horses.

Character

I wonder why Trond Sander follows Jon despite his extreme wild side, and what it says about Trond's character.
I just read the passage of the book when Trond and Jon are stealing horses and Trond gets injured, then is bucked off his horse and injured yet again. I think it shows a lot about Trond's character that he would trust Jon like he does in this scene. After falling from his horse over a fence, Trond is laying on the ground, thinking he is paralysed. Jon approaches him on his horse, disagrees and demands that he stand up. Trond obeys. This shows that Trond is trusting; but is he too trusting? Or just trusting enough to live recklessly like this, after running away from home like he has? Will this turn out to be Trond's fatal flaw/hamartia?

Week Two

Welcome to Week Two of our discussion. This discussion will last from Monday, March 2nd to Sunday, March 9th.

This week's discussion is on Setting. Please POST a 10-sentence comment on setting. Don't forget to comment on 5 other posts on this blog. You have all week to complete this assignment, but waiting is not recommended!

Character

The main character in the book is Trond Sander. Trond is a 67 year old man with a dog named Lyra. From the begining of the book Trond seemed simple to me (This topic might be sounding like a broken record). So far in the book Trond has been easy-going, both when he met his neighbor Lars (in 2000), and when he hung out with his friend Jon (in 1948). He seems kind because he was willing to help Lars find his dog Poker. He seems like he is willing to try anything once, because he went out stealing horses with Jon. Trond has all the qualities of a likeable guy, he is adventorous, kind, easy-going,and he is able to strike up a conversation. One down side about Trond's character is that he has a quiet side and seems like a follower. I believe that Jon will cause him to get seriously hurt in some way or another because Trond cannot say no to him. Trond is a guy that I would be friends with.

Characters - Out Stealing Horses

Out Stealing Horses seems to be an extremely interesting book so far with many complex characters. The book starts with the protagonist, a man in his mid-sixties named Trond Sander. He lives by himself along with his dog Lyra in a small cabin in Norway. From the first chapter, I think Trond is an independent individual who likes to be alone. He has one neighbor, a unique man named Lars Haug who has gone through many interesting experiences throughout his lifetime. Trond meets Lars for the first time when he is awoken late at night by a dog whistle. He decides to go on a walk and encounters Lars outside searching for his dog poker. He starts talking to Lars and uncovers something that deeply affected Lars when he was younger. Lars shot a dog when he was eightteen years old and seems to be deeply affected by the event. He told Trond the story because he was talking about shooting poker and wasn't sure if he could allow himself to shoot a living animal again. On the bottom of page twelve Lars says, "I was just eighteen," he said. "It's long ago, but I shall never forget it." This quote proves that the day he shot the dog will always be in his memory and never be forgotten. The next chapter in the book moves on to Trond remembering adventures he went on wiht his childhhood friend, Jon. Jon always had adventures planned out for the boys to go on. They were not always legal, but Trond seemed to do anything his friend asked him to. He seemed seriosuly influenced by Jon. Based on the flashbacks, Trond didn't seem to think for himself. He seemed to allow others to tell him how to act and what to do.

Tears of the Desert Character Analysis

After reading a good section of Tears of the Desert, I have gotten a good feel for who the author Halima Bashir is. So far, the memoir has just elaborated on her childhood growing up in Sudan in the Zaghawa Tribe, which is split into three clans; Towhir, Coube, and Bidayat. Their family of 6 (so far), Halima, her Grandma Abu, Father Abdul or Okiramaj, Mother Eya, and brothers Mohammed and Omer are one of the wealthier families in the village. Their great fortune, her father believes, is due to the birth of Halima and her white eyelash spotted at birth. Being the first child, Halima and her father have bonded the most. Her name, coming from the medicine woman who saved her father's life, means a lot in the Bashir house, or bah in Zaghawa. The nickname Rathebe was given to Halima as well by her father. Halima's dark dark skin and tameless hair sets her apart from most of the young girls in the tribe, including her best friend Kadiga. However, Halima enjoys the different look because it makes her feel independent. Most of the girls wear simple clothes, always barefoot and their hair in special braids. Halima is a fighter with speed, just like her grandma, but is still a young girl who cuddles up to her mum and father. In the Zaghawa tribe it is a tradition to get marked on your face, but Halima has yet to have it done, as I have only read to her age of 8. From my understanding of the index, Halima will continue to explain her life as it progresses, so I am excited to see who she grows to be. At the end of the first chapter, Halima writes "When my father told me "and who knows, maybe one day you will be a healer just like the village medicine woman Halima," My father didn't know it, but his words were a prophecy of the future." This foreshadowing tells me Halima will make change to the horrors of Darfur.

Character

The main character in the book Out Stealing Horses is Trond Sander. In the introduction of this novel Trond is a 67 year old man living in a cabin in Norway. Trond has a dog named Lyra who at the beginning of the book, seems to be his only friend. Trond seems to be a simple minded human being who just seems to enjoy himself. " Not that I should pass quickly or slowly, but be only time, be something I live inside and fill with physical things and activities that i can divide it up by, so that it grows distinct to me and does not vanish when I am not looking"(6). Trond seems like he is very content with his life as an elder man, having nothing to do but experience the nature around him with his dog. Trond flashes back to his childhood and reminisces on his horse stealing days. Trond has a friend named Jon who seems to be the leader of the two by the way he talks to Trond. Trond doesn't seem to be the type to express his mind to Jon because Jon will just pretend like he didn't hear it and move on, like when Trond says he is paralysed and Jon says back "I don't think so". Trond seems to be a pretty nice guy but I have a feeling that he will get himself in trouble because of his friend Jon and Jon's wild side.

Characters

In "Out Stealing Horses," the main character is a 67 year old man named Trond Sander. Trond is a reserved man who enjoys spending time alone. When he was younger he always longed to be alone: "I could suddenly get a longing to be in a place where there was only silence." He now lives only with his dog in a small house in eastern Norway and it's exactly how he imagined it. One night he wakes up to the sound of his neighbor,Lars Haug, looking for his dog and gets up to help him. This is the first time he and his neighbor officialy meet eachother. While they are looking for the dog they stand in silence, and Lars soon begins to tell him a story about when he was younger. The next chapter starts as a flashback from when Trond was a boy. He thinks about the adventures he and his friend Jon would go on. Even back then Trond seemed to be very laid-back. He would always follow what Jon told him to do and not really make his own choices. I think that Trond was wise, but he doesn't make his own decisions, he would rather just follow what someone else tells him to do.

Character

The main character and narrator in Out Stealing Horses in Trond Sander, an older man in his middle sixties. Trond lives in a very secluded area in Norway. He lives alone with the exception of his dog Lyra. He only has one neighbor, Lars Haug, who he rarely sees. The first night they formally introduce themselves is when Lars loses his dog Poker. Trond is asleep when he hears the high pitched sound of a dog whistle. This brings him out of ned and leads him into the night. Luckily they find Poker. In the next chapter Trond has a flashback to the summers he spent as a teenager with his friend Jon. Trond only spent the summers in this cabin like places because during the school year he went back to Oslo. Trond's friend Jon would always have adventures planned out for them, which were sometimes even illegal. Trond would do anything that Jon told him to do so it seems that Trond's personality was that he was easily persuaded into doing things. 

Character

The main character in the novel is Trond Sanders. He is a 65 year old man, who lives in a remote place that reminds him of his past. Each summer he would go to a cabin in Norway and stay there all summer with his dad. A lot of Trond's memories described so far in the book, involve him and his friend, Jon, who lived near the cabin. Trond is a very heavy thinker and likes to break down his memories into little actions. He enjoys analyzing the situations, and he is very good at recalling every detail. As Trond says on page 37, "I wondered if he was talking aloud to himself, as I often did when I was alone, describing what I had just done and pondering for and against and ending by saying I hadn't had any choice". Overall he is a very simple man who likes to be alone, because it gives him the opportunity to think and live without stress. His simple personality also is the main reason why he is a follower and not a leader. When he was younger, Jon was always the leader and Trond always was a foot behind. Like Nels had mentioned on an earlier post, I also wonder if Trond's character has made any changes from when he was a boy.

Out Stealing Horses-Characters

The main character in “Out Stealing Horses” is Trond Sander. Trond Sander seems to be a very shy man and lives in a cabin surrounded by a desolate and beautiful wilderness. Trond Sander lives alone except for his dog Lyra and an old man that lives in a cabin near from him. “All my life I have longed to be alone in a place like this,” Says Trond which tells you that he has always wanted to live alone and Trond seems happy for where he lives. Trond Sander has a lot of time to think about what has happened in his life. Trond is a polite man and he does sacrifice precious sleep in order to help his neighbor find his missing dog. He begins to talk to his neighbor and this eventually leads into him telling us about his past that he happily forgotten. Trond Sander is very organized and a peaceful man after what seems to have been an eventful past. Also, when Trond was young, he wasn’t known as a leader, but he was known as a follower. His friend Jon was always the leader of the two and Trond would do and listen to whatever he said. This shows that Trond has always been a reserved person. Because Trond was a follower, I think this is what lead Trond into his eventful past.

Character

The main character of Out Stealing Horses is Trond Sander, a 67 year-old man living in a remote cabin in Norway. Trond is the narrator of the story and he describes each event in detail, allowing the reader to create a fairly accurate mental image. He seems to enjoy time to himself in order to reflect and simply think. Trond often flashes back to the summer when he was fifteen and shares with the reader his tragic past and the wisdom he received from it. One piece of wisdom that Trond shares is about being hurt. He tells a story about his father pulling nettles from the lawn with his bare hands saying, "you decide for yourself when it will hurt" (27). I think that this quote shows a lot about not only the wisdom Trond has gained throughout his many years, but also much about Trond himself. He obviously idolizes his father, quoting him even at an old age and thinking of him when he needs advice. Also, one can assume that Trond needed to think of that quote at one or more points in his life, or else he wouldn't have brought it up. Therefore, Trond must have been through some painful events in his lifetime. To me, at this point in the book, Trond seems to be a kind old man with much to say about his past.

Character

Trond Sander is the main character in the novel Out Stealing Horses. Trond seems lead a very content, eventless adult life for the most part. Trond also follows a routine each day. He gets up early, even before the sun does, and goes on a walk with his dog down a certain trail with his "torch" aka flashlight. He then goes home and eats breakfast, fixes up the house, and does whatever chores that need to be attended to around the house. Trond is also a very observant person and likes to, as I interpreted it, talk to himself about little things like the titmice. One morning he begins to talk about the titmice when they are rattling on his window. He asks himself,"I dont know what they want that I have. I look out the window at the forest. It is starting to blow. I can see the shape of the wind on the water." (pg.1) This opening paragraph in the book really establishes Trond's descriptive depictions of things and is one of the reasons I am really enjoying this book. Now to go back in time. Trond seemed to be a "follower" not a "leader" as a kid. Jon was the leader of the two and whatever he wanted to do was usually what they ended up doing. Overall Trond lives a very simple life but is a unique character none the less. It will be interesting to see if his character changes throughout the book.

Character Summary

In the first few chapters in Out Stealing Horses we figure out the main characters were Trond Sander, a 67 year old man who lives with his dog Lyra which appears to be his only friend. Trond and Lyra live in a cabin in Norway near a river. Trond seems to be a reserved man that describes how he's always wanted to be living in peace and silence. Later, he describes waking up one night and mets his neighbor for the first time Lars Haug who was looking for his dog, Poker. He then later goes on to tell a story of when he was younger. After that Trond has a flash back of his summers he spent with Jon. And talks about how they had adventures Jon planned out for them .

Character

The main character in this book is Trond Sander. Trond is a type of person that I feel very familiar and comfortable with. He is very modest and is a thoughtful person. To me he represents the classic Norwegian Character that I have read about many times. Norwegians are known for their modesty and struggle to complain. I find this to be one of the most interesting traits he has. You can see that this trait is valued when Trond’s father told him to push the pain away when pulling the nettle from the yard. Another trait that I found in him was his simple and reasonable nature. The events that happen in his life never overwhelm Trond, but when there is a lot to be done he simply takes it one little challenge at a time. What makes me curious is the thought about whether or not Trond’s character will change throughout the book.

Character

**I have only read the first three chapters, so I may not address aspects of Trond’s character that are revealed later on in the plot***

             The most significant character so far in the book is Trond Sander, an aging Norwegian man reflecting upon his past. He seems a bit run down and weary, as if he has led a difficult life and is ready for a break. Trond narrates his story in a peaceful manner, but it is in no way boring or dull.  Though he is 67 years of age Trond feels “pretty spry” (Petterson p2), and describes his surroundings in detail, allowing the reader to form a fairly accurate mental image of his life. Time is something that I often find myself thinking about and I really enjoyed Trond’s opinion of the subject. He describes time as, “Not that it should pass quickly or slowly, but be only time, be something I live inside and fill with physical things and activities that I can divide it up by so that grows distinct to me and does not vanish when I am not looking” (8). Also like me, Trond loves to make detailed plans for the future; but unlike me, he actually seems to follow through on what he has planned out to do in his time.  When Trond begins to tell his story, we can grasp that he was a fairly easygoing person at fifteen, as he generally went along with whatever crazy (and sometimes dangerous) plan his friend Jon had made. Trond also seems to be an empathetic person as he sacrifices precious sleep to help a neighbor find their dog and easily strikes up a conversation to pass the time. So far in Out Stealing Horses, Trond Sander seems like an amiable and intelligent person with a lot to share, and I am excited to learn more about his intriguing past. 

Character

The main character in Out Stealing Horses is named Trond Sander. He is right from the beginning a simple man who has had an eventful past. Some of his important events that he lived through included his best friends brother passing away. Trond also seems to look up to other figures in the book with respect and a good amount of trust. One of these characters/figures is his father who through his early childhood was a main part of his upbringing and entrence into what it means to be a man. Some of these teachings and actions that Trond learned from his father are seen by his actions as an older adult. Trond is a polite and very simple man just like his father was. This is probably due to the fact also that he lives in a very secluded place which gives him alot of time to think to himself and to live a simple life. Trond is potrayed as a "deep thinker" about different isuues that he thinks about on his lonely days. This justifies why Trond runs on about possible outcomes and what ifs.

Characterization

The main character in Out Stealing Horses is Trond Sander. He lives in a secluded area, and seems to be very reserved. He takes care of the necessities of his own life, and rarely more. This is evident in the fact that he is repairing his house by himself, rather than hiring a skilled carpenter to do it. This action also shows that he has discovered that he values time in itself. His decisions are made based on importance. For example, when his neighbor's dog is lost at night, he decides that the loss of sleep and loss of a good demeanor the next day is worth getting up to help. It is also evident that Trond has always been one to go along with others' ideas. We also learn that his friend Jon had been bringing him into risky situations in his teen years- whatever Jon wanted to do was what they did. This can also be interpreted as the characterization of Trond as being easily-influenced, which could prove to be an important trait to recognize.

Character

The main character is Trond Sander. He is extremely shy and reserved. All his life he has longed to live somewhere with absolute silence. Trond prefers to be alone and feels greatly imposed apon when someone else comes by. As a child and most likely as an adult as well, Trond was a born follower. His friend Jon was always the leader. Trond listened to Jon and followed his instructions. It is clear that Trond is a very reserved person even as a child because it is difficult for him to ask others personal questions. Trond overanalyzes everything. He considers the worst case sinerio for everything that involves risks. Trond focuses on the "what ifs" and "could have been".

Week One!

Welcome to Week 1 of our Discussion. This discussion will last from Monday, February 23rd to Sunday, March 1.

This week's discussion is on Character. Please POST a 10 sentence comment on character. Don't forget to comment on 5 other posts on this blog. You have all week to complete this assignment, but don't wait until the last minute!!!

ARE YOU GOING TO READ THIS BOOK?

ARE YOU GOING TO READ THIS BOOK?

If so, please comment on this post with your name and hr and answer the following 2 questions by Monday, February 2nd.

1. Why do you want to read this?
2. How are you going to acquire the book?

Welcome!

Welcome to 3rd quarter OR. On this blog we will be discussing Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. What follows is a brief summary of the book.

"An aging loner remembers a childhood summer that marked a lifetime of loss. Fifteen-year-old Trond, spending the summer of 1948 with his father, away from their Oslo home in a cabin in the easternmost region of Norway, wakes to an invitation from his friend, Jon, to "steal" their neighbor's horses for an early-morning joy ride. But what Trond doesn't yet know is that the ride is Jon's farewell to him. The day before, when Jon was supposed to be minding his young twin brothers, Lars and Odd, Lars found Jon's prized gun and, imitating his older brother, accidentally killed his twin. Nearly 60 years later, Trond has returned to the rustic region after a devastating car accident that killed his wife and left him gravely injured, hoping to live out the rest of his days quietly, with his dog as his only companion. But late one night, he has a chance encounter with his only neighbor, an aging man named Lars. Trond realizes that this neighbor is his childhood friend's younger brother, and their meeting causes him to remember not only the morning of the horse theft, but the rest of the summer as well. After Jon's disappearance, Trond spends the summer working with his father to send lumber down the river to the Swedish border, ostensibly the reason for their retreat. He is stunned to learn that his father is having an affair with Jon's grieving mother, also the object of Trond's own first intimate moment. As Trond begins to talk to the other workers, he also realizes that his father has had complicated reasons for spending much of the war years in the eastern region of the country, close to Sweden's neutral borders. He even learns that the phrase "out stealing horses," which he had tossed aroundcasually with his friend, has a meaning that reaches beyond their childhood pranks. Haunting, minimalist prose and expert pacing give this quiet story from Norway native Petterson."
Courtesy of:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Out-Stealing-Horses/Per-Petterson/e/9780312427085/?itm=1