Where can we get a copy of “The Boy from Gimle” by Eystein Eggen ? Can we obtain the book in an English translation ?
You can not get a copy nor in Norwegian nor in English. The history of this differently important book is rather fascinating, if not depressing. Whose fault is it that “The Boy from Gimle” is unobtainable and has been so during the last decade ? The book appeared as a sensation in 1993 and was the reason and background for the only novelty during the 50th anniversary celebrations of 8th of May 1995, when the topic of Nazi children was presented in all media. The answer is to be found deep in European culture of the 20th century. In Norway the publishing house “Aschehoug forlag”, publisher of “The Boy from Gimle”, has had a tremendous impact on Norwegian culture, politically and literary. Norway is a small country, with a relatively recent national independence. When William Nygaard the elder (born 1865) bought Aschehoug forlag in 1888, he cut the dependence to Danish publishers who had been exclusive for Norwegian writers due to Norway’s subordination to Denmark during 500 years.
