Very little happens in this short, quiet novel but it is nonetheless a joy to read. It’s about Lydia, a vet in a small community in rural Norway, living a solitary but contented life. Although happy being alone, she’s no misanthrope and doesn’t shy away from companionship when it is offered to her. It’s a calm, peaceful tale, lyrically understated, and narrated with insight and compassion. I never became fully engaged with Lydia, however, and always felt I was on the outside looking in, but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment or appreciation of the fine writing and empathetic characterisation. A lovely read.

I quite enjoyed this story of a woman’s life told in mini short stories linked together. A hardworking vet finding love and her family.

The Loneliness in Lydia Erneman’s Life by Rune Christiansen, (translated by Kari Dickson) is a beautifully- written, quiet, and meditative novel that inspires pause and reflection. We follow Lydia Erneman, the only child of a farming family in Sweden, as she navigates her life as a veterinarian in Norway.

There is no plot, per se, in this novel but we do embark on a journey with the main character and share her experiences as she tends to the animals she loves and the connections she forges, some deeper than others, with the people she meets yet never losing her sense of self, learning from life, growing and evolving as a person, welcoming and exacting change in her life as she sees her priorities changing and much more. Lydia, as a character, might not strike you as particularly complex or even interesting, to be honest, but what enriches the narrative are the moments of solitude, soul searching and reflection and the wisdom and insight she gathers as she strives to understand how she is impacted by the people, places and the simple events in her life. Through flashbacks and Lydia’s memories, we are given a glimpse into Lydia’s childhood experiences her modest upbringing and her hopes and dreams. The author writes in simple yet elegant prose with minimal embellishments or drama, often adopting a nostalgic (and a tad melancholic ) tone, with vivid descriptions of the settings that transport you to rural Norway with Lydia.

Many thanks to Book*hug Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on June 6, 2023.

Interesting to just understand a part of someone yet still feel that this small part gives you a complete view. I was left with more feelings than details with this book, and I really enjoyed the experience.

This seemed sophisticated in the telling, and I enjoyed this. Interesting characters and good writing made this an enjoyable read.

Thanks very much for the free copy for review!!

This is a cool little meditation. It seems like it is just a drop in the bucket though with the ideas it has here. I wish it explored more but that’s me being greedy is all. Ah if it were just a bit longer!

This was a beautiful book - in the category of "I feel very seen" both in terms of the emotional valence but also the focus of the imagery. Upon finishing I immediately wanted to purchase a copy so I could have it around to re-read more leisurely.

A beautiful story written with elegance.
I found myself immersed in the world of Lydia and felt comfortable there.
The use of language is lovely and made for a delight to read.
Recommend.

Lydia Erneman was "neither restless nor unhappy in her own company...but it was unnerving that along with...big and small things that happened...it perhaps formed a connection and a continuity, as though a plan existed."

An only child with an upbringing on a small farm in Sweden, Lydia's dream was to become a veterinarian. Through diligent study, she graduated and secured a job at a veterinary clinic in rural Norway. She would live her dream!

"...left to herself...she would enjoy all manner of small detail: the gentle presence she felt in nature, almost imperceptible and yet urgent and alive when she was with the animals, by the edge of the lake at dusk, in a clearing in the forest- it was all she wished for."

A dinner party invitation arrived. To decline would appear rude. Once at the party, an urgent call...attend to an injured horse on a nearly farm. Another dinner guest, needing a ride to the train station, would make the house call with her and then be dropped off at the station. He "followed her movements like an awkward assistant...". It was nice to have someone to chat with.

Another day, a young boy named Johan led Lydia to an badly injured dog. She treated the dog, expecting an unhappy outcome, yet told Johan she would check on the dog daily. Johan needed a friend. Lydia thought it would be good to have company. "She had no idea what she was doing; only it was necessary not to get attached to Johan in any way."

"...Unassuming things, small details appealed to Lydia, they seemed to allow her small glimpses of her childhood, as though it still secretly existed within her...She was caught by a wave of homesickness". "To be at peace with oneself...the same as denying that one was part of everything else-all the important and banal things you went through; helped to strengthen you, perhaps even liberate you...[She] maintained a detachment...a distance." She dreamt she was home on her parents' farm, either in thoughts or dreams, "one always returns, it's necessary." Working as a vet was practical. It was "unpredictable with no time for idling, only delight and defeat in quick succession." "She was where she wanted to be, in the country, in the provinces...a paradoxical existence...a beautiful slowness...an equilibrium...".

I found it difficult to relate to Lydia. The novel had no plot. Although Lydia made connections with some members of the small community, she always waivered, childhood dreams seemed to haunt her and be ever present. This quiet, slow read will be good for some, but not for everyone.

Thank you Book'hug Press and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars
This book was beautifully written and I enjoyed learning about Lydia's life. I'm not a very plot-driven reader so I enjoyed the very character-driven plot and the dreaminess of the writing. I just felt that there were areas where I missed something in translation. Not that the translator did a poor job - not at all. I just think it would have resonated with me more if I was Norwegian or Swedish.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Loneliness in Lydia Erneman’s Life introduces readers to the title character, Lydia. She lives a quiet life as a vet in the country. We meet the few folks in Lydia’s life including her parents, love interest, neighbors, and the animals she cares for. The character’s job and setting initially drew me in, but as I read, I found the pacing to be off. I wanted to be able to really sit with Lydia in her solitude and understand what was happening on a deeper level in her head, but the pacing of the book doesn’t allow it. This story also doesn’t feature any dialogue, so we’re exclusively learning about Lydia through the voice of the narrator. I would have preferred dialogue and felt a bit disconnected from the main character. The story picks up a bit towards the end and I was rooting for Lydia as she entered an exciting new stage of her life.

The Loneliness in Lydia Erneman's Life is a beautifully written novel that explores the quiet life of a veterinarian living in rural Norway. Lydia, who grew up in Northern Sweden as an only child, is accustomed to being alone and finds comfort in the simplicity of her life. The novel follows Lydia as she cares for the animals in her community, spends time with her aging parents, and falls in love. Despite her increasing desire for human contact, Lydia's contentment with her solitude remains a powerful and elegant force in her life.

Written in concise and poetic prose, this novel offers a rare and refreshing exploration of solitude and the relationships we form with the beings around us. It is a thoughtful and contemplative work that delves deeply into the inner lives of its characters. The novel has been praised by European critics for its simplicity and lack of theatrics, and it is easy to see why. The gravity and tranquility of this novel make it a gift, a soothing and peaceful offering in a world that is often loud and chaotic. The Loneliness in Lydia Erneman's Life is a remarkable achievement and a must-read for anyone who appreciates quiet, contemplative literature.

'The Loneliness in Lydia Erneman's Life' by Rune Christiansen is a beautifully crafted novel that explores the complexities of the human psyche through the eyes of its titular character, Lydia Erneman. With a narrative voice that is both tender and acute, Christiansen draws the reader into Lydia's world and reveals the intricate web of emotions and experiences that shape her life.

What makes this novel so remarkable is its ability to capture the subtle nuances of human behavior and psychology. Through Lydia's interactions with the people and events around her, Christiansen deftly portrays the ways in which our thoughts and feelings are influenced by the world we inhabit. Whether it's the changing of the seasons, the pain of loss, or the simple pleasures of everyday life, each moment is rendered with a precision and depth of feeling that is truly remarkable.

But what really sets this novel apart is its unwavering sense of empathy and compassion. Despite the loneliness that pervades Lydia's life, there is a profound sense of connection that runs throughout the novel. Whether it's the memories of her past or the kindness of strangers, there is a sense that we are all in this together, struggling to make sense of the world around us.

Overall, 'The Loneliness in Lydia Erneman's Life' is a stunning achievement. With its richly drawn characters, evocative prose, and profound insights into the human condition, it is a novel that will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone who loves deeply human stories that touch the heart and the mind in equal measure.