Money to Burn

By Asta Olivia Nordenhof | Publisher: Random House

About the book

In the aftermath of a national disaster, a couple look back on their marriage and what it cost them in this groundbreaking novel about capitalism’s effect on the human heart

*Guardian best translated fiction of 2025*

'Buzzes with electricity… intriguing, maddening, exciting. I’m in’ Observer

'Like a normal novel with the boring bits taken out' Guardian

Maggie and Kurt are struggling to hold their marriage together after their only daughter has left home. They live in an old farmhouse in Nyborg but somehow keep missing each other, unable to discuss the events that brought them together.

Decades ago, a passenger ferry called the Scandinavian Star caught fire, killing 159 people. The event is still considered a national tragedy in Denmark and Norway. Years later, it was revealed not to be an accident, but the result of an insurance scam gone wrong.

How is the Scandinavian Star disaster connected to Maggie and Kurt? How does money affect and infect our closest relationships? And is it ever possible to escape?

'Taut and intelligent… a moving love story and an incendiary indictment of contemporary society' Literary Review

‘A comet in Scandinavian literature’ OLGA RAVN

‘Startling and irresistible’ CLAIRE-LOUISE BENNETT

'Unusual, fascinating, and complicated in the best way' CLAIRE FULLER

'Nordenhof's writing is electrifying' CHETNA MAROO

Editions of Money to Burn

Hardcover
ISBN 9781787335165
Paperback
ISBN 9781529934533
EBook
ISBN 9781529934519
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9781529937121

Read an Excerpt

In the aftermath of a national disaster, a couple look back on their marriage and what it cost them in this groundbreaking novel about capitalism’s effect on the human heart

*Guardian best translated fiction of 2025*

'Buzzes with electricity… intriguing, maddening, exciting. I’m in’ Observer

'Like a normal novel with the boring bits taken out' Guardian

Maggie and Kurt are struggling to hold their marriage together after their only daughter has left home. They live in an old farmhouse in Nyborg but somehow keep missing each other, unable to discuss the events that brought them together.

Decades ago, a passenger ferry called the Scandinavian Star caught fire, killing 159 people. The event is still considered a national tragedy in Denmark and Norway. Years later, it was revealed not to be an accident, but the result of an insurance scam gone wrong.

How is the Scandinavian Star disaster connected to Maggie and Kurt? How does money affect and infect our closest relationships? And is it ever possible to escape?

'Taut and intelligent… a moving love story and an incendiary indictment of contemporary society' Literary Review

‘A comet in Scandinavian literature’ OLGA RAVN

‘Startling and irresistible’ CLAIRE-LOUISE BENNETT

'Unusual, fascinating, and complicated in the best way' CLAIRE FULLER

'Nordenhof's writing is electrifying' CHETNA MAROO

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Money to Burn about?

In the aftermath of a national disaster, a couple look back on their marriage and what it cost them in this groundbreaking novel about capitalism’s effect on the human heart

*Guardian best translated fiction of 2025*

'Buzzes with electricity… intriguing, maddening, exciting. I’m in’ Observer

'Like a normal novel with the boring bits taken out' Guardian

Maggie and Kurt are struggling to hold their marriage together after their only daughter has left home. They live in an old farmhouse in Nyborg but somehow keep missing each other, unable to discuss the events that brought them together.

Decades ago, a passenger ferry called the Scandinavian Star caught fire, killing 159 people. The event is still considered a national tragedy in Denmark and Norway. Years later, it was revealed not to be an accident, but the result of an insurance scam gone wrong.

How is the Scandinavian Star disaster connected to Maggie and Kurt? How does money affect and infect our closest relationships? And is it ever possible to escape?

'Taut and intelligent… a moving love story and an incendiary indictment of contemporary society' Literary Review

‘A comet in Scandinavian literature’ OLGA RAVN

‘Startling and irresistible’ CLAIRE-LOUISE BENNETT

'Unusual, fascinating, and complicated in the best way' CLAIRE FULLER

'Nordenhof's writing is electrifying' CHETNA MAROO

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Money to Burn?

Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general

Where can I read a sample of Money to Burn?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781787335165

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Money to Burn?

Asta Olivia Nordenhof

Who is the Publisher of the book Money to Burn?

Random House

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Money to Burn is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781787335165) and paperback(ISBN 9781529934533) and ebook(ISBN 9781529934519) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781529937121)

Where can I buy Money to Burn online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Money to Burn from below

Where can I buy Money to Burn?