2024
"The razor-sharp nails came shooting through the walls with a terrible force. I sat completely still, swallowing, praying silently to be spared impalement. Finally he ran out of nails, and collapsed, exhausted, into a chair, sitting there with his wooden club in his lap, breathing like an animal. Then, suddenly, he raised his head and stared at the wall where I sat without moving. It felt like he had seen something. That he could hear my heartbeat. That I was the one he had seen."
The Tales of Estragon is a darkly humorous series for children of all ages, focusing on the seven deadly sins - as told by rats. With its burlesque humour and gothic illustrations reminiscent of Edward Gorey’s pen-and-ink drawing, The Rat Catcher from Sorø transcends age and gives a timeless depiction of human vices.
«Masterful! The first book in Gaute Heivoll’s new series of the seven deadly sins forecasts a new era in Norwegian children’s literature.»
«The tale of Glambæk is so perfectly engineered and wonderful that you will want to tell it to everyone you meet.»
«Gaute Heivoll demonstrates that he is a master storyteller in «The Rat Catcher from Sorø».
«I sense remnants of old masters like H.C. Andersen, Samuel Beckett and Roald Dahl, whilst the drawings hint to Chris Riddell’s illustrations in «The graveyard book» by Neil Gaiman.»
Gaute Heivoll
Photo; Vigmostad & Bjørke
