Orion's Belt (novel)
Orion's Belt (Norwegian: Orions belte) is an action-thriller novel written by Norwegian author Jon Michelet. It was published by Oktober Forlag in 1977 and became a popular seller. It was translated into English by Ellen Nations.[1] The novel was adapted into a 1985 film by the same name, which is regarded as Norway's first modern action film.[2]
The novel follows three shabby Svalbard-based seamen who discover a Soviet bearing station. They are subsequently both targets of Soviet liquidation and American interrogation in an attempt quiet them and retain the political status quo. The Cold War topics were a critique of the Norwegian policy of allowing a Soviet presence on Svalbard.
The book received mixed reviews. It was appreciated by Dagbladet, but criticized by Aftenposten.[3] The book's popularity came in part from the public interest in what 3,000 Russians were doing living on the Norwegian archipelago. The title is a reference to that Svalbard was as central located in a potential Cold War war theater as Orion's Belt. The novel also played on the fear of nuclear war and the lack of information from Norwegian media about the issue.[4]
References
- Bibliography
- Skagen, Sølvi (2005). Fra idé til film: Orions belte (in Norwegian). Vett & Viten. ISBN 978-82-412-0540-8.
- Notes
- ↑ Skagen: 10
- ↑ Hansen, Ellinor (24 August 2005). "Seiler på nytt under "Orions belte"". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ↑ Skagen: 9
- ↑ Skagen: 17