Books like I refuse by Per Petterson

The story centers on Tommy and Jim, whose accidental meeting after decades rekindles memories of their boyhood, when Tommy had to leave his sisters after standing up to an abusive father. Jim, loyal and steadfast, had supported Tommy through that difficult time. A single winter night on a frozen lake introduces an event that irrevocably changes their friendship, setting the stage for a moral reckoning. The novel traces how their lives have shifted: Jim now fishes alone on a bridge, while Tommy drives a new Mercedes— a symbol of the reversal of fortunes. As the day unfolds, the weight of their shared history and lingering guilt forces each of them to confront the betrayals and complexities that have defined their lives. Set in Norway, the narrative explores themes of male friendship, coming of age, dysfunctional families, and the psychological aftermath of abuse, inviting readers to ponder how past trauma molds future choices.

First publish date: 2015