Within the magical tapestry woven by the five stories that comprise The Tale of Mrs. Berg, Ingvild H. Rishøi skillfully portrays the neglect of a mother symbolized by the loss of a hamster, being psychic and finding solace in the words of Janis Joplin, the love for, and the loss of, a sibling, the comforting presence of a light worm, encountering your first love, and a father flirting daringly with disaster.
With a keen and discerning gaze, Ingvild H. Rishøi delicately turns her eye to the experiences of people in vulnerable situations, narrating their stories with pared down yet powerful storytelling. Through these five compelling narratives, Rishøi explores intricate family dynamics, mental health, and sorrow. Published in 2011 to great critical acclaim, The Tale of Mrs. Berg stands as Ingvild H. Rishøi’s second collection of short stories.
Author
Reviews
“Well, Norway did just receive a Nobel Prize in literature… That’s a bit of a shame. Because here is a candidate who could probably stand a chance in a couple of years.”
–Kulturnytt P1 (SE)
“Ingvild H. Rishøi gives her characters a voice that must be listened to as it comes so near us and tells us about details whose life-changing significance is not immediately apparent. […] With The Tale of Mrs. Berg, Ingvild H. Rishøi solidifies her position as one of the Nordic’s most important young writers.”
–Borås Tidning (SE)
“It’s often written from the child’s perspective, and from their point of view, the world that they are forced to survive in is obscure and incomprehensible, where the adult world is harboring their secrets. Ingvild H. Rishøi does this with a language that doesn’t complicate things, but that shimmers, as a transparent film over a beating pulse, rhythmic and objective at the same time. […] She can stay in a scene for long, drawn-out moments, letting it dangle until it is saturated with all the meaning it has within. Or let years rattle by at a frightening speed, marked only by a child’s age, while the people around have changed in fundamental ways. This reinforces the child’s perspective, the incomprehensibility and subjectivity of time. It is fast, it is infinitely slow, there is so much you cannot understand, but you feel what it is like to be someone else. This is what Rishøi’s short stories teach us.”
–Svenska Dagbladet (SE)
“One of Rishøi’s stylistic talents is her unique ability to create rhythm in her texts. She does this both with language and her unconventional way of editing. Enviable are those of you who have not yet entered the literary world of Ingvild H. Rishøi. She hardly takes any time from us readers, that’s how the books are. But the thoughts and feelings you have afterwards stay with you all the longer. And how sharply she refutes the claim that great literature necessarily requires great volume.”
–Västerbottenskuriren (SE)
“Norwegian Ingvild H. Rishøi is an outstanding author who writes about broken families, often involving mental illness or addiction. In her world, everyone means well and tries to do their very best, but still manages to mess up. She has a particularly sensitive eye for vulnerable children and young people and often writes from their perspective.”
–Yukiko Duke, Vi Läser (SE)
“The author writes with a crystal clear view of children’s realities. […] That is no small thing.”
–Göteborgs-Posten (SE)
“The short stories are of the highest standard. […] The concluding short story called ‘My Girls’ is one of Rishøi’s best. […] Some literature can make us see ourselves. In Rishøi’s work I see people who are outside my usual field of vision. And I think: what if it was me?”
–Sydsvenskan (SE)
“[The Tale of Mrs. Berg] provides five opportunities to further celebrate all the things that make up the unique voice of this astonishing author.”
–Tidningen Vi (SE)
“I’m moved, I shiver and I’m enjoying it. […] At the age of 33, Ingvild H. Rishøi writes with the wisdom reminiscent that of Tarjei Vesaas. Impressive.”
–Fædrelandsvennen (NO)
“To those of you who are looking for an under-the-skin fiction experience: check out Ingvild H. Rishøi’s latest short story collection […] It is a gripping, heart-breaking read.”
–VG (NO)
“Rishøi writes captivating short stories, where no scene is superfluous.”
–Tara (NO)
“Gripping stories from Ingvild H. Rishøi […] Maybe it’s a bit because of the ironic language of the masses, but perhaps it has more to do with the will to truthfully grasp the seriousness that the book seems to be in contact with something so human.”
–Klassekampen (NO)
“Ingvild Rishøi is a great short story writer, with the ability to tell a lot in a short time, without the slightest indication of shortness of breath.”
–Dagens Næringsliv (NO)
“Ingvild Rishøi does not resemble any other short story writer today […] Rishøi is so consistent that it is a joy.”
–Aftenposten (NO)
“Brilliant short stories.”
–Dagbladet (NO)
“Great short story writing […] Thoughtful, minor tuned and heartbreaking short stories about individuals who lack resources in fragile family constellations.”
–Dagsavisen (NO)
“Adult short stories that take hold of and won’t let go of you […] Life wisdom in short form.”
–Bergens Tidende (NO)
“A significant writing is taking shape.”
–Morgenbladet (NO)
“Have you not registered the name Ingvild Rishøi before, do it now. And are you not of those who read short stories, then you must begin! […] These are short stories that shine.”
–NRK (NO)
“Empathetic and expressive.”
–Dag og Tid (NO)
“Ingvild Rishøi is a star in my literary universe. With The Tale of Mrs. Berg, she carries on the technology from the short stories in Do Not Erase, consistent, steady, and with a psychological understanding and empathy most would envy her of.”
–Adresseavisen (NO)
“Dark, believable portrayals of childhood and the child’s view of the world.”
–Universitas (NO)
“A collection of five captivating and heartbreaking stories”
–Telemarksavisa (NO)