TagI Curse the River of Time

“I Curse the River of Time” by Per Petterson is a reflective and introspective novel that follows the protagonist, Arvid Jansen, through a period of personal turmoil and self-discovery. Set in Norway during the 1980s, the novel portrays Arvid at a crossroads in his life, grappling with the dissolution of his marriage and the fading ideals of his youth. As Arvid confronts his strained relationship with his mother and his own sense of identity, he revisits memories of his past, including his time as a Communist activist. Through Petterson’s spare and lyrical prose, the novel explores themes of family dynamics, political disillusionment, and the inevitability of change. “I Curse the River of Time” is a poignant meditation on the complexities of relationships and the passage of time, capturing the nuances of human experience with emotional depth and clarity.