Repetition by Vigdis Hjorth

  Aptly named, Repetition by Vigdis Hjorth is an endless repeat of events and emotions. The novel, set in Norway begins with the main character staying in the Norwegian forest in a cabin, before attending a symphony. She is seated next to a young girl and her parents.  The girl is visibly upset and the woman feels empathy for the young lady. Following the concert, our character  chooses to return to the cabin . At the cabin the main character (no name is ever given) takes the reader on a journey of her own teenage self set in 1975. The events in her past continue for about a hundred pages as a continued echo of her struggles with her suspicious  anxiety driven mother, workaholic father and younger siblings. 

Hjorth paints the character as a emotionally battered young woman, constantly berated and accused by her mother, and ignored for the most part by her father. She begins to explore some typical teenage experiences all  the while hiding this from her eccentric mother.  After a pivotal experience, the dynamics in the family become even more intense and strained. Our character knows something is wrong, niggling at her consciousness yet not discernible.  At the very end of the book, the reader learns what and why. (Not giving any spoilers)

For me, I felt like I was in an endless narrative loop.  I realize that is the writer's intention. Thus the title, Repetition. Yet, it felt often difficult to hold my attention and I found myself struggling not to skim and skip ahead due to the fact I had already read and reread segments as they were virtually repeated with minute changes to the situation as the writer builds the plot.  

When beginning the novel, I was a bit lost. Once I finished the story, and went back to reread the first few pages, those introductory pages made sense to me. I had an "aha" realization.  I think I felt most lost because of the nameless family characters. I never felt really invested in them because I didn't really get to know who they were.

Repetition is an interesting concept.  The ending was not surprising to me as I guessed what was happening to our character.  I am certain some who have endured various traumas would relate to the story. I wish I could be more succinct. I was left wanting more. Not really more of the story, but more depth throughout the story.

I received access to this novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Repetition is set to be released March 2, 2026.