“When I wrote the book, I knew it wasn’t going to be my story. I wanted to write Oslo’s story. My generation’s story.”
We met the Norwegian writer, Oliver Lovrenski, to discuss his critically acclaimed debut novel, the term “kebab Norwegian,” and his desire for a work-life balance that might not allow him to be an artist.
In the debut novel, Back in the Day, Lovrenski explores drugs, crime, and friendship in Oslo’s multiethnic environment. But the book is also about love and friendship: “It’s a book about friendship – about being human, and it just happens to be set in an environment like this (…) There are lots of relatable elements, and that’s why it was so well-received. I’ve talked to both 10-year-old boys and 90-year-old ladies – and they all love the book because of its universal themes.”
When asked about literary role models, Lovrenski explains: “It’s hard for me to admire the old writers in general because many of them didn’t have a life that I’d like. I don’t want to dedicate my entire life to working. I want a family and an ordinary life as well.”
Oliver Lovrenski (b. 2003) grew up in Norway and has a Croatian background. His critically acclaimed debut novel, Back in the Day, was published when Lovrenski was only 19 years old, and became an instant number-one bestseller in Norway. The book received attention from all over the world, and Lovrenski won Bokhandlerprisen for the novel as the youngest writer ever. The book was sold for publication in 15 countries.
Peter Adolphsen interviewed Oliver Lovrenski during the Louisiana Literature Festival in August 2024.
Camera: Simon Weyhe
Edited and produced by: Astrid Agnes Hald
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2025
Louisiana Channel is supported by Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond and Ny Carlsbergfondet.
Subscribe to our channel for more videos on literature: https://www.youtube.com/thelouisianachannel
FOLLOW US HERE:
Website: http://channel.louisiana.dk
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/louisianachannel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouisianaChannel
source
UCY2mhw-XNZSxrUynsI5K8Zw
