Summary

The website content provides details about the novel "The Love We Had" by Øivind H. Solheim, including a writing challenge to review the book, the themes of acceptance and belonging explored within, and the structure of the book with links to chapters published on Medium.

Abstract

The novel "The Love We Had" is presented as a narrative set in a small industrial town in western Norway, with fictional characters and a storyline that unfolds through different perspectives across three parts. Readers are invited to participate in a writing challenge by publishing a review of the novel on Medium, based on selected chapters available on the platform. The book delves into the protagonist's struggle with feelings of exclusion and the desire for acceptance within a family and community. It explores the emotional landscape of love, belonging, and the pain of feeling unloved and isolated, even within one's own home. The author, Øivind H. Solheim, encourages readers to engage with the story and share their thoughts, offering free access to the upcoming e-book on KDP for those who complete the challenge.

Opinions

The narrative emphasizes the importance of feeling accepted and loved within a community and family.
The protagonist experiences a sense of exile and disconnection from their spouse and children, highlighting the internal conflict and emotional distance within the household.
The author suggests that the feeling of being on the "inside" or "outside" can significantly impact one's sense of belonging and self-worth.
The novel reflects on the human need for mutual love and acceptance, and the consequences of its absence.
Through the writing challenge, the author seeks to foster a community of readers and writers who can relate to and reflect upon the themes presented in the novel.

NOVEL

Inside — Outside

The Love We Had, Chapter 30

A writing challenge

Write and publish a book review of the novel The Love We Had, based on freely chosen chapters published on medium.com.

The book review can be a comment of 100 to 200 words, or a longer article, and should be published on medium.com.

Everyone who publishes a book review will receive a link with free access to the e-book when the e-book is published on KDP. Please tag me Øivind H. Solheim at the end of the review to get free access to the e-book.

The main street, Odda. Photo © by the author

30

It’s about life, living the life I have.

I live, I walk in the streets. I go home. I go from room to room.

I travel. I can be inside or I can be outside — it’s not the same.

How can I find respect? How can I feel accepted?

How can I know my place and know that I belong here?

The opposite of this is to be on the outside, to be excluded, to not be part of the community.

There are some basic needs we humans have. One of these is the need to feel accepted, to be on the inside. To love and to be loved back is to be inside. To love and not be loved back is the opposite. It’s being at the outside, and it has always been a problem for me.

It has become clear to me during these last years of my marriage with Lars. I sometimes have tried to talk with him about it.

“Listen”, I say, “can we talk?”

“What is it?” he asks.

“I think we need to talk.”

“Talk? About what then?”

He looks at me silently. I bow my head, unable to look at him.

“About us, you and me”, I say.

“Why is that? Is there something wrong?”

“What do you think, then?”

“Oh, how can I know that? It was you who started talking about it.”

“I do not think we get along well here in this house.”

“Oh! Well, I see! So, what is it then? What have I done wrong now?”

I can barely mumble a few words, but I immediately regret it. It sounds just completely banal, so stupid.

I have long felt that he and I live together under the same roof, and that we totally lack the ability to listen to each other. I have felt that I live in an exile. I am in a way expelled from my own life. And I feel I have to do something about it. This does not work anymore. I have to deal with it. I have to get out. There is no way, no other way than the way out.

To be on the inside may be to be allowed to love, love him and love the kids, and to feel love. To be on the inside must be knowing that I belong together with him in the family, and to know that he and the others care and need me.

To be on the inside or on the outside can sometimes be a choice that I myself cannot make.

The story that the novel tells takes place in a small industrial town at the end of a fjord in western Norway. The story being told and the characters are fictional.

The photos included in the chapters are taken on location in Odda and in the Odda Smelter (Odda Smelteverk, 1906–2003), the carbide factory that is part of the story.

The Love We Had

Part 1 The Longest Night -chapters 1–3, told by Lars. Part 2 The Light Inside -chapters 4–17, told by Aslak. Part 3 Save Our Secret Love -chapters 18 — XX, told by Eira.

For quick access to all chapters, go here.

Previous chapter: 29 Dear Husband

Next: Chapter 31 Our Love Will Last for Ever

Øivind H. Solheim writes fiction, essays and articles aiming to help others understanding life, other humans and themselves. He has published five novels, two non-fiction books and a poetry book.

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