To Siberia

Set against the stark, freezing landscape of Danish Jutland just as the shadow of World War II begins to loom, "To Siberia" tells the poignant story of a young girl and her beloved brother, Jesper. Trapped in a home as emotionally desolate as their physical surroundings—ruled by a devout, hymn-singing mother and a taciturn father—their only solace is each other. The girl dreams of an epic journey to the distant, unknown lands of Siberia, a yearning for escape and meaning, while Jesper longs for the sun-drenched shores of Morocco. Their shared hopes and unwavering sibling bond forge a vital warmth, a defiant glow against the chill of their domestic life and the encroaching global darkness. Per Petterson masterfully explores themes of longing, survival, and the profound, almost mystical connection between two souls, navigating a world on the brink of profound change, where personal dreams clash with an unyielding reality.