A huge congratulation to Nilas Johnsen who has been nominated to the prestigous Brage prize for the best Norwegain non-fiction book of 2019. His book Erdogan. The making of Turkey’s strongman is one of four nominees to the prize which will be awarded on November 21.
The jury:
“The President’s facial expression might be cut from stone, but during the prayer his tears flow freely, while he lifts his hands in front of him. When the Imam has concluded, the microphone is passed on to Erdogan. He turns toward the crowd slowly and with all eyes on him he meticulously wipes his tears away.”
Nilas Johnson’s lively dissemination of Erdogan and his role in Turkish politics is based on extensive source material and experience from a stay of almost three years in Istanbul. This is the starting point for a vivid and well-written documentary that shows a nuanced image of Erdogan. Johnsen’s book makes a geopolitical area available, knowledge and experience provide a natural entry into a vast topic.
An abundant and well-written overview of Erdogan’s life is presented in a form that ties the reader to the book. All the understanding and knowledge the book conveys provides a background to answering questions about why and how in relation to Erdogan’s political work. Johnsen appears to be an educator of the highest class."
Congratulations Nilas!
Norway’s largest independent literary agency, Northern Stories, has been named a Gazelle Company by Dagens Næringsliv for the second consecutive year. In 2024, the agency grew its turnover from NOK 10.2 to 15.8 million – an increase of more than 50 percent, marking yet another record year.
We’re delighted to share that Agnes Ravatn has been nominated for the Booksellers’ Award 2025 for her brilliant new novel Doggerland. Her novel is also already sold to Poland, and in World English.
We’re proud to announce that Frode Helland has been nominated for this year’s Brage Prize for Nonfiction, Norway’s most prestigious literary award, for his extraordinary book Holocaust – A history told by the victims. This is a deeply moving and illuminating contribution to our understanding of one of history’s darkest chapters.
Northern Stories has hired Dilani Vamapahan as a literary agent. She was chosen from a pool of 175 applicants.
“A great honour,” says Kristofer Hivju about playing police investigator Ole Vik in the crime series Sogn Murders. The TV2 series is based on Jørgen Jæger’s bestselling books, and filming started this week in Sogn.