The bovara monastery

Fantastic novel set in an Italian monastery

Jan Roar Leikvoll has been compared to international writers such as Cormac McCarthy, and his uncompromising and critically acclaimed authorship is among of the most exciting literature in Norway. With The Bovara Monastery Leikvoll completes his three first novels, that started with Eit vintereventyr (A Winter Story, 2008) and Fiolinane (The Violins, 2010).

The critics wrote: “Totally ruthless! Joyless gnawing of bones, callous copulation and unrestrained brutality. A masterpiece that cuts to the marrow. Jan Roar Leikvoll is a blazing literary talent.” 6 on the dice (the daily VG).

Frrok is a gardener in a monastery in the village called Bovara. When his friend Fiori abandons gardening in order to work on a book in the tower, Frrok is left alone with the harvesting and keeping the garden in order. His whole life turns upside down when a young prostitute from the village knocks on the monastery door and asks for Fiori. Frrok decides for help her. He hides her in the cellar, and suddenly realizes that he has the power over life and death.

English sample translation available