The Deletion of Paul Abel

North-west Norway, mid-21st century: Norway is the only country in the world that has succeeded in building a network of deep, collective consciousness between its citizens. A layer of graphene a single atom thick around the cerebral cortex, also known as The Shell, allows them to experience exotic places, sense smells, and perceive people who aren’t there.

The marine biologist Paul Abel detests this development, still swearing by the old-fashioned, handheld Shell. When Norway is subject to a coup d’état carried out by the eco-political party Pan-Ethical Alliance, he is one of the few who avoid being brainwashed.

He soon finds himself in a tiny apartment in Densetown, at the bottom of a hierarchy based on the idea of the Global Universe. His wife, Astrid, transforms into one of the state’s most trusted servants, eternally faithful to Pan.

Paul intends to do something about all of this.

The Deletion of Paul Abel is a novel about finding your place in the ecosystem, about love, faith and scepticism, and the unbeatable energy of 1980s dance movies.

REVIEWS:

‘TheDeletion of Paul Abel is an impressive, imaginative, linguistically inventive and entertaining novel about blind faith versus healthy scepticism, reason versus emotion, seduction versus persuasion, and about a public dream-language and the false notion of the self, not to mention sundry thought-provoking philosophical reflections – in all respects, a fascinating novel.’Stavanger Aftenblad

‘Bjørn Vatne has written a disturbing story that connects two of our times’ greatest threats to humanity: pollution and surveillance...As a vision of the future, the book is a gripping literary contribution towards bringing these dangers into the light of day – before it’s too late.’ Dagbladet

‘Bjørn Vatne’s second novel is entertaining, smart and full of irresistible ideas. One does not have to read far in Vatne’s novel before one senses the excitement of having stumbled upon something really good. A clever plot, the strength of the wording and the power of his imagination make The Deletion of Paul Abel a real page-turner, a page-turner with substance at its core.’ Aftenposten

‘Well written and terrifying.’ Hamar Arbeiderblad

‘The Deletion of Paul Abel is that rare thing: a page-turner of intellectual challenges, with huge imagination in its language – and in its plot too, for that matter, in spite of the limited action. The character portrayals gradually grow out of their comical templates and draw generously from an understanding of human nature. It all flows out so energetically and freely that there is little to indicate that this has been a difficult second book, but that’s actually what it is.’ Morgenbladet

‘Vatne has a linguistic energy and an outstanding sense for realism, faithful character depictions and good dialogue that make the novel function not only as an experiment in ideas, but also in literature.’ Klassekampen

‘Thought-provoking and interesting future dystopia...’ VG

‘There are many dystopias in the bookcases at the moment; many of them are Norwegian. There is, unfortunately, an abundance of warning signs that authors are taking seriously. Bjørn Vatne, however, has not just written an important novel – for me, the book is just as much an impressive creative work.’ Dag og Tid