Oh hi, Herman. This is what I am left with after reading this book: a real heart-hello, warm and genuine. I feel I have had a meaningful meeting with another human being. That I have been given a small journey into the inner mechanics of this human being. Insight “Herman: Stories from an undiagnosed upbringing” is Flesvig’s personal story of growing up in picture book format, illustrated by Bård Slettvold Torkildsen. A kind of modern and accessible form of memoir, if you will. The book has become a bit of a talking point even before publication. You can understand that, when a well-known entertainer and a well-known author have secretly put their heads together and created a book. But what’s so nice is that this is really completely irrelevant. This book would have been just as good if it had been about a random Bjarne from inner Flekkefjord. Because we need this so badly: to get a proper insight into the mental landscape of others! WELCOME IN: Swipe right to continue the drawing. Especially those who deviate from the norm in one way or another. And here the picture book format works perfectly to do just that, in the broadest possible way. As the publisher writes: This is suitable for children between 5 and 155. Very fun and very difficult Through a mixture of anecdotes and small deep dives into his world of thought, we slowly but surely get to know the child Herman. I like him right away, it’s like his energy is pumping out of the pages. It is a pure childlike energy filled with as much unbridled joy and hyperpotent imagination as smoldering self-loathing and creeping anxiety. Therefore, it is both very fun and very difficult to be Herman. He does not fit into the square that the Norwegian school system tries to push him into, he is not always fully understood at home. At the same time, life is never boring with such a mind, and the creative power lies and trembles like a ticking bomb. It is personal, naked, vulnerable, but also playful, surprising, funny. ESCAPE FROM THE GRAMMAR: Swipe right to continue the drawing. The indispensable backers You can tell that the text has been written by someone who knows what he is doing, there are good formulations and little excess. Nevertheless, Loe’s easily recognizable narration does not shine through as much as I had expected. I am basically happy about this. It’s Herman it’s about, it would have become confusing if there was too much Erlend in the sauce. So all credit to Loe, who has fulfilled his supporting role without filling too much. The third man on the team, illustrator Slettvold Torkildsen, is of course also an indispensable part of the storytelling. The style is sketchy and caricatured, as in a cartoon, the line has a digital feel. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of this particular aesthetic, but I still think it works for this universe. In any case, the drawings feel immediate and alive, yes at times almost a little hectic and chaotic, and that fits well. DIGITAL-HERMAN: Herman Flesvig shares stories from growing up, Erlend Loe helps shape the text, Bård Slettvold Torkildsen creates the illustrations. Illustration: BONNIER Potensial Flesvig has spoken openly about the ADHD diagnosis, and the reader can choose how much weight to place on it. On the one hand, it is nice to read the book through a human-to-human lens, to see the boy with the many outstanding qualities, which are both demanding and wonderful. MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE: Swipe right to continue the drawing. On the other hand, this is such a common diagnosis in the world now that ADHD is guaranteed to be present in your life in one way or another. And maybe we are now finally starting to notice a change, that some of the old stigma surrounding ADHD is disappearing? That we focus more on the potential and not just the challenges. So please, here is solid proof that this potential exists: a very funny, sensitive and hyper-creative man named Herman. Let your children be inspired! A CHILD OF THE RAINBOW: Herman Flesvig’s children’s book is filled with pure children’s energy, says news’s reviewer. Herman Flesvig had a program management agreement with news until 2021. This expired at the turn of the year, and he is currently not employed by news. news reviews Photo: Bonnier publishing house TITLE: “Herman – stories from an undiagnosed upbringing” Authors: Herman Flesvig and Erlend Loe Illustrator: Bård Sletvold Torkildsen Publisher: Bonnier Genre: Children’s book Number of pages: 107 Date: 28 October 2022
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