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Naive. Super

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'Naive. Super' by Erlend Loe follows the story of a 20-something protagonist who is lost and unsure of his path in life. The book portrays his journey of trying to connect with the world around him, showcasing his childlike innocence and unique way of viewing the world. The writing style is simple, with short chapters and lists, making it a quick and engaging read that delves into themes of friendship, self-discovery, and finding meaning in life.

Characters:

The characters are portrayed as nice and relatable, with an emphasis on their innocence and kindness.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is minimalist and approachable, using a straightforward style that mirrors the protagonist's simplicity.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a young man's explorations of simplicity and self-discovery as he navigates an aimless phase in life.

Setting:

The setting captures a simplistic and somewhat whimsical view of life in Norway, enhancing the story's themes.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and easy, allowing readers to digest the narrative quickly without feeling rushed.
I am borrowing my brother’s flat while he is away. It’s a nice flat. My brother has a fair bit of money. God knows what he does for a living. I’ve been paying little attention to that. He buys or sell...

Notes:

Naive Super was published in 1996 and is written by Norwegian author Erlend Loe.
The protagonist is a 25-year-old man who drops out of an MA program and lives in his brother's empty apartment.
The book features a simple writing style with short sentences and lists, making it easy to read quickly.
The main character copes with a mild existential crisis by engaging in simple pleasures, like bouncing a ball and playing with children's toys.
The novel explores themes of time, kindness, and defining oneself at a young age.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg found the book while at Harvard and learned Norwegian to read more works by Erlend Loe.
Despite its weighty themes, the tone of the book is light-hearted and humorous.
The story is seen as a reflection on finding meaning in life's simplicity, appealing to those feeling lost or confused.
The book features quirky, nice characters and is set in Norway, where the social dynamics are different than in many places.

From The Publisher:

Troubled by an inability to find any meaning in his life, the 25-year-old narrator of this deceptively simple novel quits university and eventually arrives at his brother's New York apartment.

In a bid to discover what life is all about, he writes lists. He becomes obsessed by time and whether it actually matters. He faxes his meteorologist friend. He endlessly bounces a ball against the wall. He befriends a small boy who lives next door.

He yearns to get to the bottom of life and how best to live it. Funny, friendly, enigmatic, and frequently poignantÑsuperbly naive.

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About the Author:

Erlend Loe (May 24, 1969) is a Norwegian novelist. He worked at a psychiatric clinic, and was later a freelance journalist for Norwegian newspaper Adresseavisen.

Loe now lives and works in Oslo where in 1998 he co-founded Screenwriters Oslo - an office community for screenwriters. In 1993 he debuted with the book Tatt av kvinnen, and a year later published a children's book, Fisken, about a forklift operator named Kurt. Loe has a distinctive style of writing which is often likened to na•ve art.

He often uses irony, exaggeration and humor.

 
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