Tomás Espedal – Grinding against colleagues: – “Balle Clorin” Literature

The regular massacre of well-known Norwegian author Tomas Espedal from the ongoing literature review of the book industry website Bok365 is newly formulated.

– If Vidar Kvalshaug knew some kind of decency, then he would have rejected this whole project. It also helps reduce the credibility of BOK365. He is about to enter history as Literary Balle Clorin, the leader responsible for this literary dinner council, Espedal recently wrote on his Facebook wall.

In May, Bok365 was voted the best Norwegian novel of the last decade.

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Responded to a list

The jury, Tomás Espedal, asks for a “soup tip” (free after the famous 1969 sketch Wesensteen, in which Rolv Wesenlund interviews Harald Heide Steen Jr.’s character, Balle Clorin, editor) is made up of bookseller Angelique Heggheim , literary journalist, Janneken Øverland, Book Reviewer Leif Gjerstad and author and jury member Vidar Kvalshaug.

Together, the jury selected 50 new candidates published from 2010 to 2019. Big Norwegian literary names like Agnes Ravatn and Karl Ove Knausgård are on the list, but when Espedal saw the overview he stole, says the author of Dagbladet.

– It damages contemporary literature.

Who reacted is not about who is on the list, but who is not.

– Everyone knows that the authors on the jury list sell lots, says Espedal and continues.

– This award only confirms what readers are already reading and helps damage Norwegian literature that is much broader. Here you should be able to get more of the very capable voices that don’t sell that much.

– Bear an insult

Espedal isn’t even included in Bok365’s Top 50 list. Although he received the Brage Prize in 2011 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2013. Espedal is published in 24 countries and can boast four publications in the last decade.

– Is it that you’re angry because you’re not on the list, Espedal?

– I can tolerate an insult. Blow on me! I answer on behalf of my lesser known but very capable colleagues. When I travel around Europe and talk to people about exciting Norwegian writers, they are curious about people like Thure Erik Lund, Kristine Næs and Cathrine Knutsen. Where are they on this list? He asks.

Espedal believes that the Kvalshaug jury, who is a writer, has a responsibility.

– As a colleague, your job is to highlight those who don’t read as much as the best. Now he makes contemporary literature a bear service.

– Bergen jaws

Jury leader Vidar Kvalshaug receives harsh criticism from among the seven mountains with overwhelming calm.

“Those who have not been exposed to Bergen’s beef jerky have not lived,” he told Dagbladet.

– Yes, everyone has a responsibility to lesser-known authors. We’ve tried to include more unknown debuts and award winners. They are discussed. If Espedal doesn’t like the result is another matter, continues Kvalshaug, who adds:

– Espedal has a hard time getting out. What he says now is cool and good, because we end up arguing about the authors he wants to include in the list.

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