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The Bell in the Lake: A Novel (Sister Bells) Hardcover – September 29, 2020

by Lars Mytting (Author), Deborah Dawkin (Translator)

4.5 810 ratings

Book 1 of 2: The Sisters Bells Trilogy

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Lars Mytting’s engrossing epic novel The Bell in the Lake—a #1 bestseller in Norway—is the story of a young woman whose fate plays out against her village’s mystical church bells.

As long as people could remember, the stave church’s bells had rung over the isolated village of Butangen, Norway. Cast in memory of conjoined twins, the bells are said to ring on their own in times of danger. In 1879, young pastor Kai Schweigaard moves to the village, where young Astrid Hekne yearns for a modern life. She sees a way out on the arm of the new pastor, who needs a tie to the community to cull favor for his plan for the old stave church, with its pagan deity effigies and supernatural bells. When the pastor makes a deal that brings an outsider, a sophisticated German architect, into their world, the village and Astrid are caught between past and future, as dark forces come into play.

Lars Mytting, bestselling author of Norwegian Wood, brings his deep knowledge of history, carpentry, fishing, and stave churches to this compelling historical novel, an international bestseller sold in 12 countries. With its broad-canvas narrative about the intersection of religion, superstition, and duty, The Bell in the Lake is an irresistible story of ancient times and modern challenges, by a powerful international voice.

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Norwegian Wood: Chopping, Stacking, and Drying Wood the Scandinavian Way

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Evocative…a beautiful example of modern Norwegian folklore.”―The Guardian

“Mytting has created something beautiful, a perfect evocation of a place and a culture, a melding of old Norse tradition with the encroaching modern world…every element of the setting and those who inhabit it is crafted with consummate skill. This first in a trilogy will have readers eagerly awaiting the next by this accomplished author.”

―Booklist

"Its magic pure and its mysteries primordial, Lars Mytting’s novel The Bell in the Lake is a tour de force set in the untamed wilds of Norway. . . Both heartbreaking and awe-inspiring, The Bell in the Lake is an unforgettable novel that celebrates untamed faith."―Foreword Reviews

“beautiful… Mytting’s novel was based on local stories, but it is his evoking of the parsonage interior, the turn of the seasons and their physical impress on man and beast that give this book its vividness.”―Historical Novels Review

"In this first book of a magic-fueled historical trilogy, progress, religion and superstition are three forces fighting for the soul of a late-19th-century Norwegian village."―BookBrowse

"The Bell in the Lake is a real page-turner. Mytting keeps the action moving, and brings enough emotion and passion into play to fully engage readers...And Mytting is quite the master of the quickly-sketched atmosphere: much of the novel is set in deep winter, and he conveys the cold exceptionally well; this is an ideal in-front-of-the-roaring-fireplace read."―The Complete Review

"Lars Mytting is a masterful novelist. In The Bell In The Lake, he skillfully evokes a dark, moody, and tragic romance with masterful descriptive narrative and quirky, empathetic characters...Mytting presents us with a multidimensional story that blends romance, adventure, architecture and a cultural clash between the old ways and modernism."―The Girly Book Club

"The Bell in The Lake is a rare gem. It has a beautiful depth and interestingly developed characters. The compelling storyline is flawlessly woven with sharp prose and undeniable humor. Excellently balanced story with history and suspense makes it a seamless read."
―Mystery and Suspense Magazine

About the Author

Lars Mytting, Norway’s bestselling novelist, is the author of Norwegian Wood. His books, which have sold over one million copies in 19 languages, have won the Norwegian Bookseller Prize and have been shortlisted for the prestigious Dublin IMPAC Prize, among others. The Bell in the Lake has been sold in 12 countries and was a #1 bestseller in Norway.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams (September 29, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 141974318X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1419743184
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.41 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 1.45 x 9.35 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #248,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,725 in Family Saga Fiction
- #14,210 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- #21,646 in Historical Fiction (Books)

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4.5 810 ratings

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4.5 out of 5

810 global ratings

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Margaret

This is Norway - rugged in nature and character.

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023

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This is a fine book, encompassing a vast period in the history of Norway in the rural, hard scrabble area of Gudbransdal where the beautiful mountains and steep valleys defied farming but the small population remained resolute in the pursuit of making a subsistence living. Wonderful descriptions of life in the 16th century after Norway had been christianized but still held on to many of the pre-Christian beliefs.
The old stavkjirke plays an important part of the story. Then you are taken forward in time to the end of the 19th century when things change but old mysteries linger and demand resolution.

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PaperView

A blend of the mythical with the historical

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2022

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This is a good, gripping story of the fascinating stave churches of Norway, pre-Christian myths, religion, love and loss. Stronger on the myth than, say, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. An excellent read though that had me searching online for more information on stave churches, Dresden, and Norway. The only shortcoming was the shudder I experienced every time the translator used "different to" instead of "different from". Just one of my pet peeves. I would say it is like fingernails on a blackboard to me but maybe most readers don't know what that sounds like anymore.

4 people found this helpful

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oldmcwife

Enjoy Norwegian folk lore

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2023

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Really enjoyed the book and its sequel Reindeer Killers. If you are interested in Norwegian life and folklore and superstitions, you will enjoy the two book series. Lovely translation into English from Norwegian. I like everything Norwegian as a descendant of first generation parents. I now understand better my mother's superstitious nature as she grew up in Norway.

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Katy

It's a tragedy that end with hope

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2021

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I really enjoyed reading this book as it was something very different being written by a Norwegian author. The book caught me right away. Astrid is a compelling main character and the two principal men in the book are so different it's hard to see how she is drawn to both of them. By the end, I was completely engulfed in the book. While some of it is hard, I believe the book shows that people who may seem small and rigid can change and have hope for the future. I look forward to the next book in the trilogy.

6 people found this helpful

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Marikae Moraski

A Great Book

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024

It was a great read - engrossing and hard to put down. The ending of the book was a downer - I didn't foresee that both the energetic and forward thinking heroine and the gifted, young German architect/artist would both die. But I think part of book's message is that life in that era was brutal and short lived for many. It was a great book with a lot stronger story that I expected. I really enjoyed the historical parts also as I've never read anything about the history of Norway. The only thing that was missing was an authentic portrayal of the Christian religious experience during the earlier 1600's, and then the 1850 period. The author turned religion into superstition, magic and stupidity. Yet, the Christian experience must have been much more than that for many in Norway and Europe or it wouldn't have survived - and thrived for thousands of years. My suspicion is that Lars Mytting is not religious at all and thus can't comprehend it's fundamental attraction as a superior and more joyful way of life in any and all circumstances.

Dennis Moraski
Camano Island, Washington, USA

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Amazon Customer

A spellbinding tale by a master story teller.

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2023

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This is a fascinating. epic tale which for me never seemed long, although it was. It grabbed me and made me yearn for the next page and the next......etc. - enjoyed the second book of the trilogy and look forward to the third

3 people found this helpful

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Bobbi

This very interesting book is outstanding.

Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2022

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Our book club have read this book and the second one. We will read the third. We learned a history of a section of Norway that educated us. We enjoyed reading it very much. The characters are portrayed in a way, that I will not forget them.

3 people found this helpful

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The bell...

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023

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Wonderful story...full of local sensibilities of the time and heartfelt love for the people and the culture. A true writer who lives for his characters and clearly loves them.

One person found this helpful

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Sally J

A very enjoyable read

Reviewed in Germany on December 30, 2023

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Excellent translation into English. Good storyline. Would highly recommend the sequel "The Reindeer Hunters". Am eagerly awaiting the third volume of the trilogy....

A Highland lass

Gripping and atmospheric, can’t wait for the remaining two in the trilogy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2021

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This is a gripping story, immensely atmospheric in the same way that The Sixteen Trees of the Somme was. I was worried I would be disappointed after having read and loved The Sixteen Trees but this is a worthy second novel and I am eagerly awaiting the promised second and third in the trilogy. The story is complicated and dense and the sense of the time and place is powerful and compelling. It gave me a fascination for Norway and its history, I wept for the characters and the community and I thought a lot about the book long after I finished it. Highly recommended.

6 people found this helpful

Elf

Looking forward to the rest of the Trilogy!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2020

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I enjoyed The sixteen Trees of the Somme which was recommended to me. Delighted to discover another novel had been translated into English. Both a mixture of legend , family history and description of their settings. Having visited both Sweden and France enjoyed this aspect. I had been going to Shetland but Covid intervened. Look forward to visit the settings there in the future.

4 people found this helpful

addaiafamily

Bit of an epic.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 22, 2023

Verified Purchase

Enjoyed this detailed historical tale. Look forward to reading Vol. 2 when in paperback. Kept my attention throughout , well paced. Will read again...it was that good.

2 people found this helpful

avid reader

Intriguing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2021

Verified Purchase

The introduction chapter is a bit ‘slow’, but don’t be put off, as you get into it it get more and more interesting. I’m only halfway through at this point and find it difficult to put down.

4 people found this helpful

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The Bell in the Lake: A Novel (Sister Bells) Hardcover – September 29, 2020

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