Klara’s Last Name

I wonder why the author used his surname for Klara’s?

I wondered that too. Is it a common last name in Norwegian (like Smith)? Or is it a family story he drew on? In the author’s note he implies a personal connection to this part of Norway.

Klara's last name didn't ring a bell for me. (The pun was not intended.) That's why these discussions are so wonderful. They deepen understanding and open up your mind to how other ways of thinking.

I noticed the name was the same as the author so I looked it up but didn't find anything especially noteworthy about it. I'll be interested to see if the name is included in subsequent books.

After watching an interesting online interview with Lars Mytting I can answer this. He used real family names in his story about a fictional place. He used his own surname as an homage to his grandmother. He also wanted to create a bit of mystery for the reader to wonder about the name.

Thanks jenbrinkley for your explanation. I don't think I had picked up on that.

Funny that this is mentioned--when I first encountered Klara in the book, I turned back to the cover to see if it was the same as the author's or if it was just close. Perhaps, it is homage to an elder or grandmother or mother who told Lars the stories of his ancestors or his culture.

I wondered as I read if it wasn't some sort of family tribute. Thanks so much jenbrinkley for explaining it.

When I saw the name, I remembered from the biographical note at the end that Mytting is from Favang, on the other side of Lake Losnes from Butangen, and it just made me think he wanted to connect his family and himself to the story somehow. I’m grateful to jenbrinkley for the information he provides in the interview. Mytting obviously loves this part of Norway and its legends, and that is so apparent in the novel.

Thanks Jenbrinkley. I like your explanation and also searched for a connection. I agree that this is a tribute to one of his family or his family name. It would be interesting to ask the author about the connection.

Yes to Katherinep. Lars Mytting stated that his grandmother did tell him stories and the “sister bells” were derived from local lore.

I also didn't make the connection between Klara and Lars's last names, so this was interesting to read! So nice that it was an homage to his grandmother.

Shortly after seeing this topic being opened (and before Jenbrinkley responded), I sent an email to Lars Mytting asking about this. He replied today:

It was my grandmother who told the story about a freezing cold sermon that never seemed to end, I believe it was around 1918 or so. More important is the level of wonder and uncertainty that it injects to the reading, it is a certain meta-element where the author himself appears in the shadows and causes a certain disturbance - intentional - but also to make a joke about the many Norwegian novels with a strong autobiographical element - this has been the trend for many years.

Thank you jenbrinkley and davinamw for your insights! So helpful!

I also wondered at this immediately! It seems that fellow book club reader JenBrinkley has answered the question. I think it's fun and playful for Lars Mytting to use his surname for Klara's both for family reasons as well as adding a little bit of mystery or buzz around it. It certainly worked here!

When I saw Klara's last name, I immediately stopped and looked back at the book cover. I did sort of wonder why the author did it, and I found myself wondering if I would intentionally use my last name for a character in a book.

Thank you to Jenbrinkley for wonderful insight. This information is the kind I enjoy collecting and using for future book discussions. I've already added this novel to the list for my book club to read.

I wondered this same thing myself--thank you so much to members who reached out to the author! I noted that on the very last page that The Bell in the Lake is the first in a trilogy (YES!!!!!). I'm hoping to see some more of Klara's story in the next books.

tricat50 and others: You don't have long to wait. The Reindeer Hunters is publishing next month:
https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm/ezine_preview_number/17164

I noticed the name immediately and just figured it was the Norwegian counterpart to Smith or Jones in the United States. Thanks to the other readers who took the time to research it more fully.

I thought the connection of the name to his own added some credibility to the story because the author heard these stories growing up and he chose to include a part of himself in the story.