A Frog in the Fjord
One Year in Norway
Top 5 most revealing books about Scandinavia
National Bestseller in Norwegian
Top 10 bestselling books about Norway
4.6 out of 5.0 stars
More than 130 outstanding ratings
4.1 out of 5.0 stars
About The Book
Norwegians are the happiest people in the world, but can anyone else be happy in Norway?
Lorelou, a French woman in her mid-20s from Provence region gets a job in Oslo, Norway. She is not too inspired by this Arctic country. Are Norwegian people as cold as their weather? She is however curious to discover the Northern lights, and explore the the country’s famous landscapes.
So many things are weird about Norwegian people: they go skiing in the middle of the city, take their holidays in cabins with neither water nor electricity, lit candles to make things koselig and have strange names like Odd and Bored. Learning Norwegian language, making local friends and dating are proving to be much harder than she thought. She has one year to figure out whether she wants to live there for good and make Norway her home.
Whether you are interested in Norway for travels, because of your family’s heritage, your love for a special Norwegian person, or because you work or study here, this book is a must-read.
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This author wrote a book about her experience of moving to Norway
Must Read If You Are
- in love with a Norwegian
- an American of Norwegian descent
- a student in Norway
- working in Norway or with Norwegians
- dreaming of Norway
- planning to travel to Norway
- generally interested in Scandinavian culture
- looking for a gift for someone who is
Buy The Book
The book is available as an ebook on Amazon and as a paperback on several platforms. Depending on where you want the book shipped to, cheaper options are available. Click on the links below to buy the book.
What People Are Saying
William H. DeRoche – Sons of Norway
In “A Frog in the Fjord”, Lorelou Desjardins recounts her first year living in Norway. Her observations are candid, perceptive, judicious, and often amusing. The reader shares her successes and setbacks in adjusting to the aloof Norwegian Culture. If you are interested what is happening in Norway and I mean what is happening to the average Norwegian, then Lorelou is your guide.
David Nikel – Forbes Magazine
“A Frog in the Fjord: One Year in Norway” by Lorelou Desjardins is the very funny tale of a French woman’s first year living in Oslo. The book chronicles her desire to figure out the Norwegian lifestyle, from the obsession with the outdoors to the passive aggressive workplace. It’s another book that’s part travelogue as Desjardins visits Norway’s very own ‘bible belt’ in the rural south and meets the Sami people of northern Norway on her quest to find her own place in Norwegian life.
Gvidas Siuskus – GoodReads
It’s one of the deepest & funniest presentations of Norway, its people and culture. Lorelou does it gently and sophisticated at the same time as preparing any of her French dishes. If you want to learn / practice your Norwegian and get to know Norway at the same time, get this book. The writing style is witty with great dose of self irony both at herself and the people… This is great gift to everyone trying to ingrate into this Viking society and appreciate more Norwegian way of making things, loving, and living.
Jane F. Erickson – Amazon US
I really enjoyed reading “A Frog in the Fjord – One Year in Norway”. My husband is of Norwegian descent, and this book gives a lot of insight into Norwegian men. The author writes about aspects of Norway that aren’t covered in any travel guide. I recommend it for its frankness and casual writing style. I’ve already sent it to friends as a gift.
About The Author
Lorelou Desjardins is originally from Provence in France. She traveled the world before moving to Norway, where she has now been living for 12 years. She has worked for numerous environmental and human rights NGOs, and is also the blogger behind www.afroginthefjord.com, as well as author of two books on Norwegian culture. She is a columnist for VG, Norway’s most read newspaper, and holds workshops for companies and universities to help foreigners integrate in the Norwegian society.
More info about the author is available at: www.lorelou.com
Lorelou Desjardins
What’s Inside
WINTER
Moving north
My First Julebord
A Norwegian Office
Say My Name
Norwegian Stereotypes
Oslo Apartment Hunt
Norwegian Skiing 101
Tromsø Under The Northern Lights
Ne me quitte pas
SPRING
Surviving Winter
Make Everything Koselig
Taco Friday
Skål To Friendship
Work-Life Balance
The Cabin Trip From Hell
A Perfect Norwegian Easter
The Happiest Day Of The Year
How To Seduce A Norwegian
SUMMER
Under The Midnight Sun
My First Seal Safari
Cycling In The Lofoten Islands
Crying In Southern Norway
The Sami Festival
Take Me To Your Hytte
FALL AND WINTER – AGAIN
Fall and Fårikål
Shopping in Sweden
Joining A Choir
Family Visit From Provence
Voss Winter Wonderland
Friluftsliv, An Outdoors Way Of Life
A Norwegian Christmas
What Does The Sheep Say?
Dating Tor
The Land Of The Unwritten Rules
The Brunost Bomb
Jante’s Law
Being A Woman In Norway
Home Is Where The Heart Is
Libro Pronto Disponible
EN ESPAÑOL!
La historia de Una Rana en el Fiordo – Un Año en Noruega, pronto disponible en español.
