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Kurt Gets Truckloads
by Erlend Loe
Age Range: 9-11
Kurt is a kind-hearted, hard-working truck driver. He loves his truck, his wife and their three children Helena, Kurt Junior and Bud. He tells his wife that “I’ll never forget to be kind. I’ve always been kind, and I’ll never be anything but kind. You can count on that”. “Even if you get lots of money?” his wife Anna-Lisa asks. “Even if I get lots of money” Kurt replies.
One day Kurt saves a man’s life and is rewarded with a massive diamond which he sells for fifty million dollars. Despite his previous words to his wife, Kurt changes beyond all recognition. He gives up work believing he can have fun all the time especially now he has lots of money. Kurt buys things he doesn’t need and replaces things that don’t need replacing, even purchasing a big machine that can saw through tarmac and concrete! In fact, he causes complete chaos that even his family find him impossible.
This is a modern-day fable; Kurt goes from being a kind, simple, honest man to a selfish one who comes to believe that he can do anything now that he is rich. Kurt‘s naivety even extends to his belief that he can become the Prime Minister!
Written by Norwegian writer Erland Loe and translated by Don Bartlett this is a funny, whimsical tale. The black-and-white comic-style illustrations by Kim Hiorthoy enhance the story, especially Kurt's huge handlebar moustache and floating question mark hair. Kurt Gets Truckloads is ideal for a wide range of ages including adults.