Per Petterson's Out Stealing Horses (trans. Anne Born) garners acclaim for its poetic prose and vivid depictions of Norwegian landscapes, enriching its meditation on memory and loss. While praised for its emotional depth and nuanced characters, some critics note a slow narrative pace as a drawback. Overall, it’s a reflective and beautifully crafted novel.

A reader who enjoys Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson, translated by Anne Born, would appreciate introspective narratives and poignant reflections on the past. Fans of The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro or My Struggle series by Karl Ove Knausgård may find similar thematic resonance and stylistic appeal.

Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson and translated by Anne Born, follows the reflections of Trond Sander as he reminisces about his life and confronts his aging and mortality. Set in 1999 in rural eastern Norway, the narrative shifts between Trond's present and the pivotal summer of 1948, highlighting themes of nature, solitude, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences and history. The book includes depictions of Nazi persecution and the accidental death of a child.

- Out Stealing Horses won the 2007 International Dublin Literary Award, one of the world’s most lucrative literary prizes, highlighting its global impact and recognition.
- The novel is widely noted for its evocative and lyrical portrayal of the Norwegian landscape, which plays a crucial role in setting the tone and atmosphere of the story.
- Per Petterson's narrative style in Out Stealing Horses has been praised for its simplicity and depth, drawing comparisons to the work of authors like Ernest Hemingway.

**Trond Sander**  
An older man who has sold his business to live in an isolated cabin, and whose reflections on his teenage years and interactions with his father shape his understanding of adulthood and identity. 

**Trond’s Father**  
A former Resistance fighter during the war, characterized by his cautious nature and the influence his actions and absences have on Trond, his son.

**Trond’s Mother**  
A somewhat distant figure in the narrative, whose emotional transformation is significant to Trond's perception of family and maturity.

**Jon Haug**  
Trond's adventurous childhood friend and neighbor during the summer of 1948, whose actions have lasting impacts on their community and relationships.

**Jon’s Father**  
A man marked by inaction and seen as a foil to Trond’s father, whose choices during and after the war affect his family's fate.

**Jon’s Mother**  
A strong and capable woman known for her courage, whose complex choices influence the dynamics between families in the narrative.

**Lars Haug**  
Jon's younger brother and a figure who shares connections with Trond both in the past and in their present lives as neighbors.

**Franz**  
A lumberjack and former Resistance fighter, who provides Trond with guidance and perspective on the adults around him during his youth.

**Ellen**  
Trond’s daughter, whose determined nature and unexpected visit highlight Trond's distance from his family and past life.

Per Petterson

Transl. Anne Born

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

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Out Stealing Horses Summary

Background

Out Stealing Horses Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

Out Stealing Horses Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 5-9

Out Stealing Horses Part 1, Chapters 5-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 10-12

Out Stealing Horses Part 2, Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 13-16

Out Stealing Horses Part 2, Chapters 13-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 Out Stealing Horses Part 3 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Out Stealing Horses Character Analysis

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Themes

Out Stealing Horses Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Out Stealing Horses Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Out Stealing Horses Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Out Stealing Horses Essay Topics

Out Stealing Horses

Before You Read

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Who Should Read Out Stealing Horses?

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