“Then you notice it too,” I said. “That something is about to happen. At first we think we’re just imagining it. But the longer we sit there, the more certain we become. And you look up at me, sort of to ask me if I am feeling the same thing you are. And I nod.”

“Yes?”

“There’s something different in the air. The dry, dusty air that always makes your throat scratchy clears up. It’s easy to breathe. We’re on our way. We will get there. Everything is fresh. Everything is clear. Everything is new—but all the same, familiar. Because we recognize this smell—this air, this dampness, this openness. It’s what we came from. That’s how the air was at home.”

“Home.”

“‘Do you feel it?’ I will ask you. ‘Can you smell the air? Do you smell the scent of salt?’”

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

A big thank-you to the people who contributed their expertise to the novel: hydrologist Lena Merete Tallaksen, former construction manager and spreader base Ole Bjørn Helberg, communications leader Anne Gravdahl and professional consultant Dag Endre Opedal at the Norwegian Vasskraft- og Industristadmuseum, production manager at Istad Kraft AS Geir Blakstad, Carl Erick Fuglesang at Profinor, Geir Blakstad, zoologist Petter Bøckman, technical advisor Christian Børs Lind and former general secretary Per Flatberg of Friends of the Earth Norway, firefighter Jørund Lothe Salvesen, general manager Jonas Ådnøy Holmqvist at Fivas, senior advisor Ellen Hofsvang at the Rainforest Foundation, and author Erik Martiniussen. Thanks also to my wise editors Nora Campbell and Hilde Rød-Larsen, as well as the entire staff at Aschehoug and Oslo Literary Agency, who work with professionalism and enthusiasm for my books every single day.

Special thanks to the organization A Drop in the Ocean, which made it possible to visit the refugee camp Skaramangas in Athens; to volunteer Anne-Lene Bjørklund for her invaluable help, and to all who showed me around and welcomed me with open arms: Nanci Vogel Clifton, Hesham Jreeda, Fahimzia Ahmadi, Halitim Mohamed Rafik, Sam Aloso, and Sayed Hashimi. And especially thanks to Jack, who invited me to his twelfth birthday party.

Last, and most importantly, a big thank-you to Kari Ronge, Stein Lunde, and Gunn Østgård, who have shared their lives and their knowledge, both on land and at sea, and to Steinar Storløkken, Jesper, Jens, and Linus for being my life.

Translator’s Note

Translator’s Note

BY DIANE OATLEY