Ufo! Ufo!

UFO! UFO! is a road-trip tale; a take on Sophie’s World concerned with the wonders of nature and physics.

David Hansen is 13 years old. This autumn, two momentous events occur in his life. Firstly, he takes part in Double or Quits, a Norwegian quiz show in which he loses out on the 24,000 kroner question. Secondly, his friend Karine, the most popular girl in the whole class, disappears without a trace. Just as the Double or Quits is broadcasted, he suddenly realizes that Karine is making telepathic contact with him. She has been kidnapped by aliens and he must rescue her!

David runs away from home and leaves to find Karine, who he believes is in Hessdalen. David is abnormally interested in physics. He ponders and speculates on all sorts of questions relating to the world of physics. He also meets people who pull him back into ‘reality’ – albeit never for very long. There’s a nice woman who drives him from Skotterud to Kongsvinger when his bike has a flat tire, and a lorry driver, Morten, who catches him red-handed trying to stowaway, but who takes his calling seriously. Before long, a friendship develops between the two.

David reaches Hessdalen. He sees his parents’ car there. At the same time, he catches sight of a UFO and hears Karine’s voice. He must decide whom to follow, and as readers we must decide if we believe the story, or if it’s UFOs at play …

Cappelen Damm 2013