The story is narrated by a man in his
mid-twenties who suddenly becomes disillusioned and confused by life and therefore quits university. The narrator becomes fascinated by modern scientific theories of both time and
relativity. He reads a book by
Paul Davies, exchanges faxes with his meteorologist friend Kim, and also engages in repetitive childish activities such as playing with wooden
BRIO children's toys and repeatedly throwing a ball against a wall. In the end, the narrator visits his brother in
New York City and returns to Norway with a renewed sense of meaning in life. While the narrator's name remains unknown throughout the novel, the author uses his own name at the end of the book, raising questions about the true narrative standpoint throughout the text. ==Chapters==