Karen Sullivan, Publisher of Orenda Books, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of World English Language rights for Norwegian artist and author Lars Elling’s extraordinary, devastatingly beautiful, brutal debut novel The Princes of Pauper’s Pond from Henrik Francke at Oslo Literary Agency, in a two-book deal.
Karen says, ‘Spanning generations, The Princes of Pauper’s Pond is a vivid, magical and deeply affecting novel set in the wild forests of Northern Norway, and it is one of those novels, those truly unforgettable pieces of fiction, that both takes us by surprise and leaves an indelible mark. It opens in 1985, when we meet nineteen-year-old Filip, who spends his days playing football, listening to music on his Walkman and drawing, searching for something he cannot quite name. He lives in a large family house shared with his grandparents, where an old rift between his grandfather Arnstein and Arnstein’s brother Truls still governs the atmosphere. The cause appears trivial, an apple tree dropping fruit across a boundary fence, but the bitterness between the brothers speaks of something far older and deeper.
‘The story then shifts to 1912. With Europe on the brink of upheaval, Arnstein and Truls – aged seven and eleven – are sent into the forest for the summer by their stern father, determined that his sons should learn to endure hardship, to learn to survive. Left to fend for themselves among travellers, log drivers and Forest Finns, the brothers live from the land, fishing, hunting and roaming the vast woodland. Cold and hungry, yet bound together by fierce loyalty and affection, they crown themselves the Princes of Pauper’s Pond, rulers of a world defined by freedom, imagination and shared struggle. Until, back home, their father makes a shocking decision that will change everything…’
‘This is a remarkable, compelling bildungsroman about brotherhood and belonging, about finding joy and love in the nature, and about those single moments that can seal a family’s fate and future. The writing is elegant, vibrant – as evocative, luminous and multi-layered as one of the author’s paintings – and the story is simultaneously cruel, enchanting and immensely memorable. I can honestly guarantee that readers will never forget it. We are honoured to publish this sumptuous work of fiction, based on the true story of the author’s own grandfather.’
Lars Elling says, ‘The Princes of Pauper’s Pond is slowly but steadily making its way across the language barriers – from Icelandic to Arabic, and now FINALLY to English! I’m very excited about this and so looking forward to working with the great team at Orenda.’
Henrik says, ‘We’re thrilled to be working with Orenda Books on the English‑language publication of Lars Elling’s wonderful, bestselling debut novel. Orenda’s commitment to distinctive literary voices and brilliant storytelling makes them a perfect match, and it’s a real joy to see the book find its English home here.’
The Princes of Pauper’s Pond is translated by Don Bartlett, and will be published in hardback in September 2026 by Orenda Books, with a second book published in 2028. For more information, please contact Karen@orendabooks.co.uk.
