HEART'S DELIGHT

The nameless hero of this Swedish import, Nilsson's U.S. debut, could almost be any teen who has recently been spurned, so universal are his feelings. Taking on the persona of an objective, distanced narrator, Nilsson describes his protagonist from the outside first, giving just enough information to pique (and maintain) readers' curiosity. Over the course of the novel, the youth methodically destroys each piece of memorabilia from his relationship with Ann-Katrin, whom he thinks of as Heart's Delight (it is also another name for the lemon balm plant she grows in her bedroom). Each object inspires a flashback, allowing readers to share the roller-coaster ride of the teen's emotions as he recalls each stage of his romance. As he falls for a stranger on a bus, wins her affection, makes love with her, parts from her for the summer and returns to discover she has another beau, the intensity of the protagonist's emotions will be strongly felt. While the stages of the boy's relationship are familiar and their trajectory predictable, his response to the pain of heartbreak is not. Audience members will eagerly turn pages to find out whether he chooses to use the razor blade and bottle of pills lying conspicuously on his desk throughout the novel, reconciles with Ann-Katrin or finds a way to go on without her. A memorable presentation of a universal theme. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)