The Third Realm

Knausgaard’s latest installment in his multivolume “Morning Star” cycle (following The Morning Star and The Wolves of Eternity) revisits the cast from previous books. A strange new star has appeared in the Norwegian sky, casting a shadow of foreboding and fear. Tove, a painter, spirals into creativity driven by psychosis; Geir, a policeman, uncovers a chilling truth; and Syvert, an undertaker, discovers that since the star’s appearance, no one has died. The intertwined narratives explore the tension between the mundane and the supernatural, against the backdrop of Knausgaard’s haunting landscape. Primary narrator Edoardo Ballerini brings a rich and commanding tone to his performance, employing steady pacing and an engaging tone as he guides listeners through the novel’s many layers. Narrator Kelsey Jaffer, along with six additional performers, adds texture and depth with character portraits that provide windows into different perspectives and experiences. Jaffer’s voice is dynamic and expressive, capturing the emotional subtleties of this lyrical work. These additional narrators ensure the audiobook remains vibrant throughout, intensifying the novel’s rich, multi-character exploration.