The White Bathing Hut

The narrator of "The White Bathing Hut" is a genetic detective story about disability, family secrets, and Norway's eugenic past. He falls from his wheelchair and dissects his life, recalling his parents' shame and silence. He seeks the truth about his heredity when his mother is diagnosed with cancer, and the novel is an indictment of contemporary Norwegian society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2021
Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

The novel delves into the intricate web of disability, family secrets, and Norway's eugenic past, offering a thought-provoking exploration of these complex themes.

The protagonist, a man named John, uses a wheelchair due to an inherited illness that has caused his muscle tissue to degenerate, rendering him unable to walk. One day, while alone in his apartment, he falls from his wheelchair, leaving him stranded and helpless. With his family away and his cell phone out of reach, he finds himself trapped on the floor, forced to reflect on his life and confront his deepest fears and regrets.

As he lies there, John recalls the initial reactions of shame and silence from his parents when he was diagnosed with his illness as a teenager. Despite their initial struggles, they have grown to accept and love him unconditionally, but his mother remains stubbornly secretive, withholding information about her own family history.

A chance call from a cousin provides John with clues about his grandfather and uncle, whom he never met but who also suffered from the same inherited illness. John embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about his heredity, driven by a desire to understand the origins of his condition and to confront the legacy of eugenics that has shaped his family and society.

As John's search for the truth intensifies, he becomes increasingly aware of the societal attitudes towards people with disabilities in contemporary Norwegian society. Despite the country's purported opposition to eugenics, there are still efforts to control and limit the lives of individuals with disabilities. John witnesses firsthand the discrimination and marginalization faced by people with disabilities, and he becomes determined to fight against these injustices.

In the midst of his personal journey, John's mother is diagnosed with cancer. She is reluctant to share information about her illness with her family, fearing that it will burden them or cause them shame. John understands her concerns but also realizes that he must persuade her to speak before she dies, not only for his own sake but also for the sake of his daughters. He knows that the truth about their family history and his own condition will be a source of strength and resilience for them in the future.

Through his struggles and revelations, John emerges as a powerful and determined protagonist. He confronts his own demons, learns to accept his disability, and fights for the rights of others with disabilities. The White Bathing Hut is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of truth and understanding to overcome even the most challenging circumstances.

In conclusion, The White Bathing Hut is a novel that delves into the complex intersection of disability, family secrets, and Norway's eugenic past. Through the experiences of John, the protagonist, the book offers a thought-provoking exploration of these themes and highlights the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by people with disabilities in contemporary society. The novel serves as an indictment of society's attitudes towards disability and the need for greater inclusivity and acceptance.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 161 x 236 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780857428844