Una, Unwanted

When Una, a child of infidelity, as an adult decides to do everything she can to reunite with her father, it is with a sense that something important is missing in her life. The father is the well-known self-help expert MotivaTor, and Una follows everything he does through YouTube and social media. Inspired by his encouraging life advice, she finds the courage to seek him out to become a part of his life, despite warnings from those closest to her. MotivaTor's inflated self-image is nourished by the admiration he receives from his audience, but does it reflect his actual life and personality? Along the way in her quest for her father, Una realizes that everything she has dreamed of looks different than what she expected. When she gets to know her half-brother Kalle, her faith in her father takes a dramatic turn, and she makes a decisive choice. A dark feel-good with Scandinavian flavour. Released in Norway in 2022, with brilliant reviews nationally. "Recommended! Compelling storytelling, well-written, constructed as a psychological drama. Sharp satire and themes for reflection - with just the right glimpses of astronomy and philosophy." "Poignant, witty, and exciting all at once. The characters come across as vivid, nuanced, and credible in their pursuit of success in their lives. When one of the main characters simply works as a "MotivaTor," it sheds clear light on the self-destructive pursuit of external happiness. Stylistically reminiscent of the worlds that Helle Helle and Marit Eikemo enchant us with. Lots of humor, difficulty, and strangeness walking hand in hand. A bit like in real life! Highly recommended." "A book brimming with warmth, joy, curiosity, and melancholy. It's a book about everything one desires, and everything one believes they don't have. It's easy to relate to and perfect for Norwegian summer days - both the grey and the sunny." "Beautiful, painful, dramatic, and poignant. I am truly impressed." "What a delightful book! I was completely engrossed from page one to the last. The story was compelling, warm, and painful at the same time. It's interesting to read between the lines about the self-images and life lies we humans create for ourselves. The book ended far too quickly."

Elin F. Styve (born 1968) is a Norwegian indie author who garnered great enthusiasm for her debut novel upon its release in Norwegian, now translated into an English edition. She works in leadership development in the healthcare sector and has a background both as a news journalist and as a communications manager in Norwegian academia.