THE PRINCES OF PAUPERS POND

In 1913 two brothers are sent into the forest to fend for themselves forging a bond through hunger freedom and endurance Before the summer is over a decision fractures that world leaving a scar that will mark their family for generations The wondrous magical and deeply moving debut novel by one of Norway s finest artists Lars Elling 1985 Nineteen year old Filip spends his days playing football listening to music on his Walkman and drawing searching for something he cannot yet name He lives in a large family house shared with his grandparents where an old rift between his grandfather Arnstein and Arnstein s brother Truls still governs the atmosphere The cause appears trivial an apple tree dropping fruit across a boundary fence but the bitterness between the brothers speaks of something far older and deeper 1913 With Europe on the brink of upheaval Arnstein and Truls are sent into the forest for the summer by their stern father determined that his sons should learn to endure hardship Left to fend for themselves among travellers log drivers and Forest Finns the brothers live from the land fishing hunting and roaming the vast woodland Cold and hungry yet bound together by fierce loyalty and affection they crown themselves the princes of Pauper