Beatles by Lars Saabye Christensen
In this cerebral yet lighthearted story, four young Norwegians experience the first wave of Beatlemania in the spring of 1965. Gunnar, Ola, and Seb, three of Kim Karlsen’s friends, are also musically obsessed and like to refer to themselves as the Fab Four. They play a lot of soccer, drink more, and fall in and out of love over the years. The end result is a charming account of a generation, the protagonists’ early hardships and discoveries, and growing up in a truly unique period.
Beatles by Lars Saabye Christensen
Amazon.com
- Used Book in Good Condition
He has transformed the story of young Kim Karlsen and his three pals, Seb, Gunnar, and Ola, into a timeless classic that English-speaking readers all across the world will undoubtedly enjoy for years to come. In actuality, Christensen has created a timeless and enduring coming-of-age tale about the difficult times of the 1960s that will reverberate long after the final page has been turned. The alcohol and drinking, long hair and hippies, generational discord, youth uprising, and civil turmoil are all present. & of course, the classic trio of rock and roll, drugs, and sexual activity. And throughout the entire book, the Beatles and the other British Invasion musical groups and singers are the main subjects.
Here is also a well-documented account of the hero-own narrator’s ongoing effort to free himself from the burdensome state of virginity. On the night of the American moon landing, Kim comes dangerously close to scoring with his gorgeous upper-class sometime girlfriend, Cecilie, and Christensen skillfully portrays this by skillfully weaving together the sweaty fumblings, Kim’s frantic and fruitless search for his condoms, and the radio coverage of the historic space landing.
Then, at the worst possible time, Kim’s parents appear. In many ways, Kim Karlsen’s story is the story of every adolescent. However, it is distinguished by its 1960s setting (even if it is in Oslo) and the significance given to popular music of the era, particularly that of the Beatles. Every chapter begins with the appropriate title of a Beatles song or album. The Beatles are what Kim and his friends aspire to BE. They do have aspirations to start their own band, which they plan to call the SNAFUs. How apt, given that life is typical “all fouled up” for people between the ages of 14 and 21. Here, there is a strong presence of both civil upheaval and the Vietnam War…
