This novel was my contribution to reading from RebeccaNYC's TBR pile, and as always she didn't disappoint. Danish, Aidt is first and foremost a poet, and this was her first novel. As far as I'm aware it's her only novel - she's also written a non-fiction book about grappling with grief in the years after the sudden loss of her 25 year old son and a collection of short stories Baboon.

In true Scandi form this novel is fairly noir in tone. Although the writing pulled me in quite quickly, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it because of that initial grittiness and what seemed to be a leaning towards it being a novel in the crime genre. However, as the novel develops the story evolved and I began to really enjoy it (although the dark themes remained).

The novel opens with the protagonist dealing with the initial aftermath of the death of his father in prison, a man with whom there was no great deal of love lost. When he unexpectedly finds something in his father's toaster, he believes that some good karma is finally coming his way, a two-fingers up to his miserable relationship with his dad. But is it?

It's an interesting novel. It touches on the nordic noir genre but isn't really a crime novel. It's more a novel of dark suspense focused on the unravelling of the protagonist's life at a time when he feels all the cards have finally lined up to bring positive change to his life. There are some dark themes, but Aidt knows how to write good prose and I loved how I didn't know where the novel was going right up to the last page (and even at that she leaves the reader still wondering).

4.5 stars - an enjoyable read. I hope Aidt decides to write more fiction in the future. ( )

Wow. I originally was so annoyed that this was a man pain book, but it transcended that and became a book about how trauma can't be buried and forgotten and just wowed me. Wow. ( )

Rock, Paper, Scissors reads like Ravel’s, Bolero. It slowly and evenly builds in intensity. To what end, one does not know. But it will not - it cannot - be good. With great skill Aidt creates a powerful atmosphere of impending doom. The reader watches as her protagonist carelessly spins out of control while exacting revenge against his dead father, a criminal. Yet, revenge is not as sweet as he anticipates. It comes with its own complexities, difficulties and demons. If let loose, it can lead to a storm of dysfunction, deception and violence - and it does. Set aside a few good hours to read this novel as it is impossible to put down. ( )

What comprises the key which unlocks the door to our darkest selves? What is the trigger which can start a downward spiral into fear, shame, and despair? Perhaps the key, the trigger are different for each person? Perhaps, it is a unpredictable as a game of rock, paper, scissors. This debut novel explores the process in a profound and evocative manner. I felt dread from early on in the story, and it mounted throughout the book, until the very last sentence. Make no mistake, this is not a lighthearted novel in any way! A random discovery leads the protagonist down a steep slope into suspicion, distrust, horror, shame, and loss. The final scene leaves the reader with uncertainty, to say the least! So, read this amazing piece of literature, but only if you can tolerate the emotions it evokes! ( )

The attention to detail is the blessing and curse of this book. The writer is careful with her words, captures the complexity of her characters (specially the main one) and puts them in familiar settings. But then, it goes so much into so much detail with so many (irrelevant?) things that dilutes the content.

Somehow, it reminded me a bit of Bergman with more humor. ( )