“The masters of the domain” of Jo Nesbø: the final act?

After the almost mythological intensity of Their domainJo Nesbø returns to the rough landscapes of OS to conclude the saga of the Opgard brothers. Meanwhile, A stretched. Similarly, exciting Nordic tragedy, but which loses a little of its depth, and will fully convince only those who have already walked the dark and icy lands of the first episode. – "the masters domain" jo nesbø:

It was necessary that Jo Nesbø Return – and without waiting too much – in the remote mountains of bones, where Carl “the masters domain” jo nesbø: and Roy Opgard, enemy brothers, Allied brothers, share – or argue – the power over this lost corner of Norway, even if it means multiplying the murders and making the bodies disappear in a very convenient abyss, right next to the family farm …

The masters of the domain resumes their sordid “adventures” 8 years after. Therefore, the tragic events told in Their domain. However, The stifling atmosphere – despite the cold typical of the region – has not really changed. Consequently, and some of the challenges encountered by siblings remain irresolus: first, resist the desire for revenge of the police / local country guard, convinced that Roy killed his father; Then, convince bankers and investors to lend them even more money, “the masters domain” jo nesbø: not only to develop “their hotel” now built, but also to realize the new dream of Roy, the construction of wooden roller coasters. Nevertheless, All under the threat of a deviation from the national road which. Therefore, thanks to a tunnel, would avoid going through bone, and would therefore jeopardize all the activity of the small town … What is more. eight years after the death of his “great love”, Roy is ready to feel a passion for a woman again, which will complicate the situation, in particular with Carl …

We find – the effect of surprise no longer acts. this time – this narrative mechanics of the thriller that Nesbø Master as little, installing a sneaky tension before we literally take the guts. The more the story advances. the more the events are linked in a perpetual climbing of the worst, with an uninterrupted succession of reversals of “the masters domain” jo nesbø: the situation undermining the projects of the brothers … Until short outbreaks of violence, often sordid despite – or because – of its inevitability. And as in the first volume of this story where blood ties come above all the rest (but perhaps further money. which corrupts everything …). the reader admires the Roy’s devious plans, his way of anticipating the movements of the opponent with several blows ahead, and is delighted with the effects of surprise that Nesbø control with diabolical efficiency.

However, something has changed. Where Their domain Deployed an almost biblical magnitude. this second volume loses this “mythological” depth which gave the first volume an unprecedented tragic dimension. Here, the drama is more pragmatic, less haunted by the shadow of the great eternal stories. The masters of the domain is a little more trivial: even though Roy’s new love story sometimes lacks credibility. it is the affairs “the masters domain” jo nesbø: of “big sous” that take over the family horrors that were at the heart of Their domain.

And above all. we must warn the “neophyte” reader: this novel may be not very understandable, and certainly less engaging for those who have not read the previous one. Nesbø This is well. there some brief summaries to recall the facts and the issues, but they only offer a schematic vision, (logically) unable to restore the slow construction of the characters and the complexity of their relationships. Without this base. the tension loses in intensity, the decisions appear to be less sense of meaning, and certain reversals can even fall a little flat.

That does not mean that The masters of the domain is not a good book – far from it. We find everything that makes the salt of Nesbø post-Harry Hole : A keen sense of narration. characters with fascinating ambiguities “the masters domain” jo nesbø: -even amazing -, and this austere decor of deep Norway which becomes a character in its own right. Simply. it was probably not possible to compete with the moral dilemmas and the absolute tragedy told in the first volume.

You just don’t fly at the same height, but the trip remains exciting.

Eric Debarnot

"the masters domain" jo nesbø:

The masters of the domain
Norwegian novel by Jo Nesbø
Translation: Céline Roman-Monnier
Publisher: Gallimard – Black series
464 pages – 21 €
Date of publication: June 5, 2025