Elling

A pair of odd-couple bachelors discharged from a mental asylum set up an unusual household in this heartening work by Norwegian novelist Ambjørnsen. It’s carried by the winning voice of Elling, the neat, cultured, phobic member of the duo, who had a breakdown after the death of his beloved mother and now has to re-enter the world with only husky, sloppy roommate Kjell Bjarne by his side. The two move into a spacious Oslo apartment thanks to the official support of their meddlesome social worker, Frank. Settling in, the two gradually come out of their shells, adopting two eight-week-old kittens, frequenting a local restaurant and rescuing a drunk, pregnant woman—all with very funny commentary and consequences. Elling makes a new friend in the aged poet Alphonse Jørgensen, a baby is born, a poem is published, and before they know it the two men are really living in this madcap recovery adventure. (Nov.)