Guri Idsø Viken

Blinds

Utyske

NORLA Selected Title

Norway, 1943:
At the Stormoen farm, they are well aware that war is raging. The Germans have taken over half the house and are running the large military camp in the village from the parlor. Synnøve, the daughter of the house, is skeptical, but her mother urges her to return the interest Colonel Hugo is showing her.

Down the road, Sveinung runs the sheep farm after his father died in a bombing raid. He’s growing increasingly uneasy about his friend Synnøve’s behavior. He never thought he’d like a German soldier. That is, until he meets Mario. Sveinung falls head over heels. And with that, both young people find themselves involved with a German.

The occupiers are planning a future with German industry in the village. But Germany is on the verge of losing the war. The dangers are closing in. People are starting to wonder about Sveinung and Mario – and Synnøve is desperately searching for a way out.

A sweeping tale of the impossible love between Norwegians and Germans during World War II – no matter who they were.

Photo: Agnete Brun

Guri Idsø Viken (b. 1979) is a journalist, social commentator and political advisor. Her upmarket historical novel published in 2025, Crash, has so far sold more than 20,000 copies. Viken has a degree in comparative literature.