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8 reviews

Out Stealing Horses: A Novel

by Per Petterson

Published: 2007-04-17
Hardcover : 250 pages

14 members reading this now
38 clubs reading this now
18 members have read this book

Recommended to book clubs by 4 of 8 members

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Introduction

We were going out stealing horses. That was what he said, standing at the door to the cabin where I was spending the summer with my father. I was fifteen. It was 1948 and oneof the first days of July.

Trond’s friend Jon often appeared at his doorstep with an adventure in mind for the two of them. But this morning was different. What began as a joy ride on “borrowed” horses ends with Jon falling into a strange trance of grief. Trond soon learns what befell Jon earlier that day—an incident that marks the beginning of a series of vital losses for both boys.

Set in the easternmost region of Norway, Out Stealing Horses begins with an ending. Sixty-seven-year-old Trond has settled into a rustic cabin in an isolated area to live the rest of his life with a quiet deliberation. A meeting with his only neighbor, however, forces him to reflect on that fateful summer.

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

How does the protagonist view his journey towards old age?

by marykunz (see profile) 12/05/09

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Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 4 of 8 members.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:

by Candice C. (see profile) 09/08/19

by Jana V. (see profile) 04/19/14

"Out Stealing Horses"by Ronniejean I. (see profile) 04/21/11

This book has won all sorts of awards yet only 7 of 15 in our club could finish it. That said we had a very robust discussion...mostly centered on who did what when and why as we were all confused by... (read more)

"Well Written"by georgeann s. (see profile) 01/12/11

"Something lacking..."by Julie S. (see profile) 09/02/10

Out Stealing Horses - I can't say I didn't like it (hence 3 stars) and I found the general story easy enough to follow. The story yo-yos from the present to past recounting an old man's life as a youngster... (read more)

"Out Stealing Horses"by Kim H. (see profile) 02/28/10

This is a beautifully written novel. The story is woven together from the memories of an aging widower. The author is fairly successful at shifting back and forth from childhood recollections to present... (read more)

"Out Stealinig Horses"by marla g. (see profile) 02/24/10

The writer is very descriptive and insighful. It's an easy read that draws you into the setting and shapes the characters so you
understand them, their motivations and their shortcomings.

"A Slow Mover"by Shelley S. (see profile) 12/07/09

Our book club was divided on this one but it did provide a long discussion. Not an action book, but an interesting story does emerge. Description was excellent. Very quick read, but gives you some "thinking... (read more)

"A tale of father and son. Is your father ever who you think he is?"by Mary K. (see profile) 12/05/09

There were so many insights in this story, that I wanted it to continue. A teenage son and his father build a precarious relationship in the 1940's. Each is almost able to read the others m... (read more)

"Slow, hard to follow"by Elena H. (see profile) 11/30/09

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