Spring Night

SPRING NIGHT relates the events that overtake a girl and her young brother when they are left unaccompanied for the night on their parents' farm. They have to cope alone when a group of strangers call at the house after their car breaks down. The strangers are an ill-assorted family who inflict their personal problems and neurosis on the two young siblings. On a deeper level, this extraordinary novel from 1954 is an account and remembrance of how it really feels to be young; self-growth, self-knowledge and love are explored as the children experience the abrupt change from childish dreams and security to adult responsibility and happiness. Vesaas develops these themes with real empathy and insight.