A witty guide to Norwegian 🇳🇴 culture
- Newly released in May 2025
- Available worldwide on Amazon
- On the Norli best-seller list in Norway
- Newly featured in The Norwegian American
- Full of useful insights and funny illustrations
- From the best-selling author of “A Frog in the Fjord“
About the book
How to Be Norwegian is your ultimate guide to understanding Norwegians.
Why do Norwegians drink so much coffee? Why do they make their babies nap outside in freezing temperatures? And how did frozen pizza become a national treasure?
With humor and cultural insights, this book unpacks 55 essential things that make Norwegians truly Norwegian. From skiing and small talk essentials to their legendary work-life balance, you’ll learn how to blend in, or at least fake it convincingly.
Whether you’re new to Norway, planning to move, or just curious about this small Nordic nation, How to Be Norwegian is your crash course in navigating the land of fjords, friluftsliv, and Friday taco tradition.
On the Best-seller list in 🇳🇴
Book reviews
Anne (UK)
Very interesting and enjoyable able to read in a day. Useful as i have been learning Norwegian. Very useful individuals to get an insight into the cultural etiquette. Would recommend.
Alexandra (US)
This book was refreshing, the illustrations especially were super original, like Henrik Ibsen watching his cheese slicer or the frozen pizza as if it were a painting. I think the book has many layers, if you know Norwegian culture it will be even more spot on as you have the references, but it also gives information to people who don’t know anything at all about Norway…
John (Norway)
This book feels like a modern version and more comprehensive encounter of Odd Børretzen’s book on “How to understand and use a Norwegian”. This isn’t your typical cultural guide – Desjardins brings her sharp wit and insider knowledge to every page!
Read the first chapters
Watch Lorelou
Lorelou Desjardins
Lorelou Desjardins is a French-born writer, journalist and speaker. She is the author of several best-selling books about Norway, and is a columnist in Norway’s largest newspaper VG. She writes on topics ranging from culture to language and environmental issues. She has been observing Norwegians and writing with humor about them in her internationally famous blog A Frog in the Fjord. Lorelou also gives lectures across the country, helping foreigners better understand Norwegian working culture and make meaningful local connections.
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