Literature and Fiction · Hardback

White, Norwegian man

Norwegian title: Kvit, norsk mann

Brynjulf Jung Tjønn

what do you want to be

when you grow up?

I want to be

a white, Norwegian man

White, Norwegian Man is a touching and important book about a subject many experience every day – namely racism. In this poetry collection the author Brynjulf Jung Tjønn depicts his own experiences of racism. Brynjulf Jung Tjønn was adopted from South Korea to Norway as a child and has always noticed that he looks different, as he puts it himself. With the pandemic – and the awareness around racism and Asian hate – he got new and painful perspectives about his own background and upbringing. White, Norwegian Man is about Norway and the racism many ignore, both the hidden type and the visible one. And not to mention the lonely human who hopes for understanding and finding somewhere to feel at home.WINNER OF THE CRITIC'S AWARD 2022NOMINATED TO THE YOUTH CRITIC'S AWARD 2022NORLA SELECTED TITLE SPRING 2023

‘What a clenched fist of a book this is! .... Among the most powerful things I’ve read. Everyone should read it.’VG, six/six stars‘A gripping poetry collection about racism. ... a tragic seriousness, often wrapped in witty turns of phrase. ... I would recommend it to any young adult and up, but also for use in anti-racist work and in classrooms.’FRAMTIDA, six/six stars

‘Poetic protest against racism. ... one poem in particular is so compelling and gripping I think it will remain forever in Norwegian literature ... a wistful, vital and necessary contribution to contemporary literature.’AFTENPOSTEN

'Brynjulf Jung Tjønn's poems about the experience of adoption breathes of life.'KLASSEKAMPEN

'It's been a while since I've read something as brutally vulnerable and poetically probing as this. [...] really, when I think about it, these poems should be read by absolutely everyone.'NRK.NO