A Special Kind of Love

Hanne Ørstavik made her literary breakthrough in 1997 with her novel Kjærlighet [Love, 2018] and has since written novels in which love emerges as one of the key literary and existential themes in her work. In Ørstavik’s writing, we are constantly challenged about our own image and conception of what love is. From different perspectives, the author shows how love can also be closely linked to fear, betrayal and violence, and in her novels we often encounter people who shut themselves and others out from an utterly fundamental and life-affirming love.

In her latest novels, Ti amo (2020), Bli hos meg [Stay with Me, 2023], and last year’s Barnet mitt [My Child, 2025], Ørstavik is perhaps at her most reflective, with the loss of love and the absence of it as governing motifs.

Meet Ørstavik in an in-depth discussion about this body of work, which has the ability to constantly create new ways of thinking about love and betrayal.

The conversation will be led by literary critic, translator and programme manager at Litteraturhuset in Bergen, Margunn Vikingstad.

The conversation will be held in Norwegian.