The Faster I Walk, the Smaller I am was a book that I did not want to read even though I bought it years ago and placed it in my library. Now when I finally read it, I understand very well why I ran away. Have you read in a book what kind of person you can be in the future? I read myself in The Faster I Walk, the Smaller I am, and if you want the truth, I was worried.
The Faster I Walk, the Smaller I am tells the story of Mathea Martinsen. Although Mathea is married to Epsilon, and she is a very lonely woman. We can even say she is an almost invisible woman. She wants to be a little more visible when the most important moments of her life become defined by going shopping. Mathea is trying to leave a mark in the world with all kinds of games, and I cannot decide whether I should cry or get angry while reading them. Then I see Memento Mori, the tattoo that I have on my arm so that I can see it every day, and I become a little more confused.
The end of the book hurt me the most, especially what Epsilon, whom Mathea loved dearly, did. This book shook me to my core, but I am sure it will affect everyone who reads it one way or another. You will think a lot about loneliness, old age, and death. From now on, wherever I see an older person on the road in the park, at least I plan to ask if they are having a good day, maybe you would do the same. Kjersti Skomsvold is a good author; she has so much to tell. Enjoy!
The Faster I Walk the Smaller I am
From one of Norway s brightest new talents comes a story of an old woman. Setting out to live her final years fully. A macabre twist on the second chance story and perhaps the world s first gloomy feel-good novel.
Kjersti A. Skomsvold
Norwegian author Kjersti Annesdatter Skomsvold made her literary debut in 2009. With the novel Jo fortere jeg går, jo mindre er jeg. The book won the Tarjei Vesaas’ Debutant Prize, and it was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award 2013.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
