Little Sister
Jon Fosse The Nobel Prize
Original title: Søster
Publisher: Samlaget, 2000
Genre: Children
Pages: 54 pages
A four-year-old boy lives with his mother, father, and a sister one year his junior. They live in a rural area close to the sea. The boy explores the world around him – both on his own and with his sister – but they are constantly being brought home by their mother, who has a somewhat unclear relationship with her role as a caregiver. At first glance, the story is a simple one, but it also raises existential questions about existence. With vivid and poignant detail, Fosse captures the thoughts and reflections of the young boy, whose sensory impressions carry the narrative. His observations, longing, loneliness, and the profoundly inexplicable are conveyed with linguistic precision. This is a beautiful little book that appeals to children and adults alike.
Foreign rights
French: L’Arche éditeur
German: Beltz
Slovakian: Modrý Peter
Spanish: Nordica Libros
Swedish: Atlas
World English: Fitzcarraldo (as part of Scenes from a Childhood)
Awards
Deutsche Jugendbuch Preis, 2007