Erlend Loe is a Norwegian writer. He lives and writes in Oslo. His style is recognizable and characterized as “naive”. Actually his most famous book is called Naive. Super. And then there are The Best Country In The World (Fakta Om Finland) and In The Power Of The Woman (Tatt Av Kvinnen). Despite the “talent” to give his books very ridiculous titles, Erlend creates unusually honest stories about people and things…
You’re very popular in Russia. Among my friends I don’t know anybody who wouldn’t read your books. Did you expect such success in Russia?
Honestly, never imagined that the Russian readers are familiar with my books. I knew, of course, that they’re translated into Russian, but not even hoped for such popularity. And, I confess, for me it’s extremely good news…
Once you wrote: “Everyone who has a bike is my friend “. I have a stupid old bike. Am I your friend?
Oh, you got a bike? Certainly, in this case, we’re friends. Mine is not new too… In fact, just enough to have a bike (laughs)…
How does it feel to be a friend to millions of readers? I know many of your fans write you emails…
Well, with millions you’re wrong (laughs)… To me surprising thing is that my books are read in different countries. When I receive emails, I try to read them. But unfortunately, I do not have time to answer them. In addition, an email requires regular correspondence. Actually, this is the meaning of communication. And that I, alas, can’t afford…
I read that you were a quite successful music video-director…
Well, my videos were for not very well-known Norwegian bands. I studied Arts in my hometown Trondheim. Then there was a couple of videos for my friends. This was before I began studying filming in school, and my experiences with video was very useful in practical terms. The last three years I was an associate producer. A kind of bureaucratic thing - I had to read the script and decide whether they were worthy of incarnation or not. In general, it is good when there is something apart from writing…
Literature is your job? Or are you one of those writers who are starting to be offended answering this question?
I’m doing what I love. And I pleased that writing gives me money to exist. Lots of authors can’t support themselves with writing. To me it’s always possible. But if I had not earned in writing, I would do something else. But as my occupation provides me financially, I can afford to write as much as I want. I went to the filming not because of money. Just wanted something else to occupy my head and meet new people. And finally, just to have a job where you need to walk every morning. It gave my weekdays new, previously unknown rhythm…
Are you a lazy person?
Lazy? No, I’m not lazy, although, perhaps, it would be nice to be more lazy. In a sense, I’m even too disciplined. Wake up early, go to bed in time… I have a family, but to me, though, I would sometimes be more lazy. Maybe soon I can afford it…
What is “the best country in the world?
The Norwegian title of the book sounds like Fakta Om Finland (ListenFacts About Finland) but it seems too boring. The book is about stereotypes, images and feelings of Norwegians related to Finland. I use to be in Finland very often, and every time I find that my books are very popular there. I love this country, I adore their sense of humor, friendliness, and I’m glad they’re not angry for this book. Well, perhaps, Finland is the best country in the world…
Where are you going to celebrate New Year Day?
Hopefully, with my family and friends in Oslo. It’s pretty ordinary. Dinner. Good booze. Then - walking after midnight, fireworks… Then, again, booze… Yes, that’s the way we celebrate New Year. Naive. But not super (smiles)…
Once you wrote: “Everyone who has a bike is my friend “. I have a stupid old bike. Am I your friend?
Oh, you got a bike? Certainly, in this case, we’re friends. Mine is not new too… In fact, just enough to have a bike (laughs)…
How does it feel to be a friend to millions of readers? I know many of your fans write you emails…
Well, with millions you’re wrong (laughs)… To me surprising thing is that my books are read in different countries. When I receive emails, I try to read them. But unfortunately, I do not have time to answer them. In addition, an email requires regular correspondence. Actually, this is the meaning of communication. And that I, alas, can’t afford…
I read that you were a quite successful music video-director…
Well, my videos were for not very well-known Norwegian bands. I studied Arts in my hometown Trondheim. Then there was a couple of videos for my friends. This was before I began studying filming in school, and my experiences with video was very useful in practical terms. The last three years I was an associate producer. A kind of bureaucratic thing - I had to read the script and decide whether they were worthy of incarnation or not. In general, it is good when there is something apart from writing…
Literature is your job? Or are you one of those writers who are starting to be offended answering this question?
I’m doing what I love. And I pleased that writing gives me money to exist. Lots of authors can’t support themselves with writing. To me it’s always possible. But if I had not earned in writing, I would do something else. But as my occupation provides me financially, I can afford to write as much as I want. I went to the filming not because of money. Just wanted something else to occupy my head and meet new people. And finally, just to have a job where you need to walk every morning. It gave my weekdays new, previously unknown rhythm…
Are you a lazy person?
Lazy? No, I’m not lazy, although, perhaps, it would be nice to be more lazy. In a sense, I’m even too disciplined. Wake up early, go to bed in time… I have a family, but to me, though, I would sometimes be more lazy. Maybe soon I can afford it…
What is “the best country in the world?
The Norwegian title of the book sounds like Fakta Om Finland (ListenFacts About Finland) but it seems too boring. The book is about stereotypes, images and feelings of Norwegians related to Finland. I use to be in Finland very often, and every time I find that my books are very popular there. I love this country, I adore their sense of humor, friendliness, and I’m glad they’re not angry for this book. Well, perhaps, Finland is the best country in the world…
Where are you going to celebrate New Year Day?
Hopefully, with my family and friends in Oslo. It’s pretty ordinary. Dinner. Good booze. Then - walking after midnight, fireworks… Then, again, booze… Yes, that’s the way we celebrate New Year. Naive. But not super (smiles)…