Julie K. Rose: The World of Oleanna: Setting the Scene Part 2 Jølster

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

The World of Oleanna: Setting the Scene Part 2 Jølster

There's no two ways about it: Norway is incredibly beautiful, and incredibly impressive. Unsurprisingly, the landscape plays an important role in the events in Oleanna. Below is a selection of images of the Jølster area, not significantly changed (save a lake-ringing highway) from 1905.

Fjell i Jølster (Mountains in Jølster) by Njål_N, on Flickr

Spring by lake Jølster, Norway by Manualman, on Flickr

Old house in Jølster by Njål_N, on Flickr

Myklebost, Jølster by Goffen on Flickr.

Mountain Cottage by Jorill&Paul on Flickr.

Have these photos whetted your appetite? Check out the Jølster Flickr group!

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About Oleanna

Set during the separation of Norway from Sweden in 1905, this richly detailed novel of love and loss was inspired by the life of the author's great-great-aunts.

Where to Purchase
Oleanna is available in paperback and a variety of ebook formats from: Amazon (worldwide); Barnes & Noble; Books-A-Million; Book Depository; iBookstore (worldwide); Powell's Books; and many other fine retailers.

Oleanna: Best of 2012 Pick!
A Bookish Affair
Darlene Williams Historical Fiction Reviews
Historical Tapestry
The Queen's Quill Review
Unabridged Chick

Praise for Oleanna
(Links to all reviews can be found at my website)

"This is a wonderfully quiet, beautiful, emotional novel of family, love, and identity. When this book ended, I contemplated flipping back to the start in order to begin again. I absolutely didn't want to leave the characters I had come to like so much...There's elegant restraint in how Rose articulates love and loss, passion and madness, the rhythm of farm life, the quietude of rural Norway." Unabridged Chick

"This is a novel of quiet depth that evokes strong imagery; it is a story that is stark and humble and at the same time, finely drawn. The awe-inspiring scenery, the backbreaking work, and, at the same time, the appeal of and sense of belonging the women feel for their home are brightly painted through the author’s judicious use of language. A beautiful story."
Historical Novels Review

"Julie Rose is a talented writer who deserves a wider audience...the writing is exceptional and proves that independent writers are equally as good, if not better, than those in mainstream publishing." Stuart MacAllister, Independent Books Editor, Historical Novels Review

"One of this novel's greatest strengths is Rose's lovely prose, which is particularly striking when describing the setting. Indeed, it is not difficult to envision the sheer beauty and peacefulness of the fjordland as one reads this novel...Oleanna is recommended to all readers of historical fiction, especially those interested in reading about a time and place not generally featured in the genre." Confessions of an Avid Reader

"Oleanna is a fabulous character. She's strong but personable and definitely the sort of character that you find yourself rooting for...Historical fiction lovers will eat this book up!" A Bookish Affair

"Oleanna by Julie K. Rose is quite simply a beautifully written book...This novel paints such a vivid picture of life at this time in history and you feel drawn in from the very first page...I don’t often turn the last page of a book and want to go right back to the beginning but that’s how this novel has made me feel with all the beautiful passages and the quiet but deep and touching tale." Peeking Between the Pages

"I was astonished at the breathtaking use of setting! Norway sounds absolutely stunning! The flourishing landscapes, forest, and lake all drew me in and made me feel like I was reading about a place both foreign and familiar at the same time. But the novel isn’t just about a refreshing setting, it’s a novel about love, loss, and a woman’s journey to find peace within herself...You do not want to pass up this sweeping novel!" The Lit Bitch

"...I was also very impressed with Ms. Rose's ability to write honestly and naturally and yet so evocatively that it verges on poetic...Oleanna was a very different read for me, and very satisfying, and one I would recommend to anyone looking for a change of pace in historical fiction."
Let Them Read Books

"I was very surprised by what an absolutely beautiful story Oleanna is. The writing is superb and every last character is well-developed and unique..." So Many Books, So Little Time

"Oleanna is written with beauty in lyrical prose...Highly recommended." Darlene Williams Historical Fiction Reviews

Reading Groups
The Reading Group Guide for Oleanna is available online, or in downloadable PDF format.

Discussing Oleanna at your next Reading Group or Book Club meeting? I'm available to join you via Skype or teleconference (or in person in Northern California). Drop me an email at juliekrose at gmail.com!

Other Fun Stuff
Oleanna perfume oil from the ultra-talented SaraWen Perfume Art at BigCartel.

Unrelated to Oleanna, but still cool: there is a line of gorgeous knitwear from Norway called--wait for it--Oleana. You can purchase these beautiful pieces from Chalet in the Woods in Gig Harbor, WA.

About The Pilgrim Glass

The story of an artist, a priest, and a photographer, and the restoration of a stained glass one summer in Vézelay, France. This is no ordinary glass, however; it has a strange, almost hypnotic effect on them, changing them in positive and destructive ways. A modern story with a touch of medieval magic, and a fascinating blend of the past and present, Publishers Weekly calls The Pilgrim Glass "a highly enjoyable French mystery."

Available for e-readers and in paperback from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, and scores of other fine online retailers.