The Phantom in Norwegian Crime Literature: Jo Nesbo Discusses Authoring, Characters, and Harry Hole's Dark Presence
Rewritten for Morgunblaðið:
Jo Nesbø: A Giant in the Shadows of Norwegian Fiction
"Truth be told, it was a woman at this very publishing house who asked me to pen a book," says Jo Nesbø, the enigmatic figure of Norway's crime fiction scene for over two decades. Since the 90s, Nesbø has cast a dark - or perhaps enlightening - glow on the literary world with his haunting portrayals of Oslo, a city where serial killers lurk in the shadows and lost souls wander the streets.
At the recent Krimfestivalen in Oslo, the absence of Iceland's literary powerhouses this year was noticeable. Nesbø, a man as elusive as many of the criminals in his stories, sat down for a rare interview with us. Dressed casually in a derby hat and sporting a boyish grin, he was a stark contrast to the somber tales he weaves.
Birthing a Legend
Nesbø's literary journey began with The Bat in 1997 and the introduction of Detective Harry Hole, a brooding, boozing sleuth investigating a grisly murder. "The book was somewhat of an experiment," Nesbø recalled. "Honestly, I had no inkling of the sort of writer I'd become."
When asked about the intricate character development that characterizes his stories, Nesbø puts it plainly: "I start my characters with two traits, much like observing people at a café and guessing what they talk about. We all have prejudices - they're just shortcuts based on limited information. I use these biases to mold my characters, giving them unique personalities."
He then turns the analysis on the interviewer, commenting on their appearance and energy. "At first, I thought you might be with the Hell's Angels. But then of course, you're something entirely different. That duality is what intrigues me - the contrasting sides of one person."
A Ghostly Existence
Nesbø is notoriously private, shying away from public appearances and emotional dedications to readers. "My writing world is a private world," he says. "When readers comment on it, it no longer belongs to me."
This interview was the only press session he agreed to during Krimfestivalen. "TV2 only got five minutes," he laughs. "I'm not a public figure. I write to communicate - not to seek the spotlight."
He admits to finding it easier to exist on the outskirts of society, revealing a glimpse of his own duality. "Authors can remain anonymous. I once sat next to a man on a plane reading one of my books - he had no idea who I was."
Acknowledgement and Reward
When asked about awards, Nesbø accepts them as recognition. "They're acknowledgment. They don't define me, but they validate that I've touched someone. That's the goal - to communicate, to captivate."
He recalls a moment with his daughter: "She came to me and said, 'Dad, they're talking about Jo Nesbø again,' as if it wasn't me. And that's the thing. Jo Nesbø is also a character."
Villains and Insanity
Speaking about the finely crafted villains in his stories - from cold-blooded murderers to delusional obsessives - Nesbø cites Norwegian criminologist Nils Christie: "Criminals don't exist, only criminal acts."
Expanding on the notion, he further explains: "Some people are rule-breakers by nature. But actions are also influenced by time and place. A killer can be a hero in war. We need a certain kind of insanity in society. A surgeon or a fighter pilot without it might not be any good."
The door knocks, signaling the end of the session. Agent Vegard Bye enters, camera in hand, as Nesbø is asked the burning question: Will Harry Hole return?
Nesbø leans back, smirks, and replies, "I can't make any promises for the immediate future... but yes, there will be another Harry Hole story."
And with that, the shadowy figure of Norwegian crime fiction slips back into the shadows, leaving readers pining for the next chilling, captivating chapter.
Translated (from a longer article) by Dóra Ósk Halldórsdóttir [email protected]
Enrichment Data:- Nesbø's debut novel The Bat in 1997 launched his career, introducing the complex character of Detective Harry Hole. His approach to character development, rooted in "dual traits" and personal biases, quickly became a signature style.- Nesbø's work achieved global success, with over 3 million copies sold and translations in multiple languages.- In the mid-2010s, his storytelling expanded into multimedia adaptations, including TV and film projects. Upcoming projects include a Netflix series titled Detective Hole, a horror film The Night House centered around small-town mystery and supernatural elements, and collaborations with Tom Hardy and Fredrik Wikström Nicastro.- Nesbø has ventured beyond the Harry Hole series with standalone novels, horror, and YA fiction. His focus on global settings and genre diversity represents a deliberate evolution from his early Oslo-centric works.
- Jo Nesbø's rare interview revealed his unique approach to character development, likening it to observing people at a café and guessing their conversations based on limited information.
- Despite his global success and multiple award wins, Jo Nesbø remains an elusive figure, preferring to exist on the outskirts of society and keep his writing world private.
- In the realm of entertainment, Jo Nesbø's novels, such as 'The Bat' and subsequent Harry Hole novels, offer a chilling or enlightening depiction of Oslo, where both light and darkness coexist.
- Nesbø's villains, ranging from cold-blooded murderers to delusional obsessives, are crafted based on the notion that criminals don't exist, only criminal acts - a perspective shared by Norwegian criminologist Nils Christie.
