Literature and Fiction · Hardback

WE ARE STANDING HERE

Norwegian title: Vi står her

Thea Trøen Bjertnes

Writing poetry can be a bit of an exercise in examining yourself. Both mentally and geographically. You write to find out where you've been, where you’re going and where you are. And with whom. In Vi står her, we meet a young girl who has had a difficult and traumatic relationship with her father, who gets sick and dies. How do you orientate yourself after something like that? How do you create your own world? How do you tell the difference between people who want to hurt you and people who wish you well? And what if they’re the same people? This is what the young girl fears, and it is something we all fear – that nowhere is safe or entirely good. Wherever it might be.

‘Vi står her is an honest collection of poetry where the poems haven’t been written for poetry’s sake. ... Trøen Bjertnes has something to say, and that is why Vi står her makes a genuine impression.’UNIVERSITAS‘Thea Trøen Bjertnes’ texts really shine when it comes to paternal bonds. ... There is therefore no reason why debutante Bjertnes should move away from the themes in this collection when she starts on the next one.’AFTENPOSTEN