The End of the Ocean

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A big thank-you to the people who contributed their expertise to the novel: hydrologist Lena Merete Tallaksen, former construction manager and spreader base Ole Bjørn Helberg, Communications leader Anne Gravdahl and professional consultant Dag Endre Opedal at the Norwegian Vasskraftog Industristad museum, production manager at Istad Kraft AS Geir Blakstad, Carl Erick Fuglesang in Profinor, Geir Blakstad, zoologist Petter Bøckman, technical advisor Christian Børs Lind and former General Secretary Per Flatberg of Friends of the Earth Norway, firefighter Jørund Lothe Salvesen, general manager Jonas Ådnøy Holmqvist in Fivas, senior advisor Ellen Hofsvang in the Rainforest Foundation, and author Erik Martiniussen. Thanks also to my wise editors Nora Campbell and Hilde Rød-Larsen, as well as the entire staff at Aschehoug and Oslo Literary Agency who work with professionalism and enthusiasm for my books every single day.

Special thanks to the organization A Drop in the Ocean, which made it possible to visit the refugee camp Skaramangás in Athens; to volunteer Anne-Lene Bjørklund for her invaluable help, and to all who showed me around and welcomed me with open arms: Nanci Vogel Clifton, Hesham Jreeda, Fahimzia Ahmadi, Halitim Mohamed Rafik, Sam Aloso, and Sayed Hashimi. And especially thanks to Jack, who invited me to his 12th birthday.

Last, and most importantly, a big thank-you to Kari Ronge, Stein Lunde, and Gunn Østgård, who have shared their lives and their knowledge, both on land and at sea, and to Steinar Storløkken, Jesper, Jens, and Linus for being my life.