Jonis Josef is a phenomenon. Many Norwegians smile just when they see his face. He himself writes that he is Norway’s best-known Somali man. It also brings with it pressure from the press: Jonis has lost count of how many times journalists have called him to hear what he thinks about terrorist attacks carried out by Muslims in virtually every part of the world. Jonis calls that racism. When was blind-witted Ole called to say something about the murder in Kongsberg or the attack on the mosque in Bærum? IS THERE ANY LIFE HERE? Jonis Josef uses the experience from the scene in his book. It’s cracked, but there’s still something missing here. Photo: Mikael Noguchi/Cappelen Damm Tough concept As you can see, there is room for seriousness in this book, just as seriousness is always present in really good humour. But how wise is it to transfer a laugh-inducing live performance to a text between two binders? I think the publisher Cappelen Damm (I can’t imagine that it is Jonis himself who has launched himself as an author) had a brilliant idea when they hired Jonis to publish a book with them. As a shoe player from the TV series “Kongen av Gulset”, radio presenter and daring stand-up comedian, he has appeal to a potentially large book audience. His behavior – as a sly and borderline lump of fun – can lure lazy readers to the book. Because there is a headache in the book industry at the moment: How do you get young people to read more? GUTTA PÅ TUR: About the mountain trip with Lars Monsen, Jonis writes that he has experienced a lot of racism in his life, but that he has never been so offended: He thought I was an Indian from Trønder! Photo: Mikael Noguchi/Cappelen Damm Hitting a new audience I don’t think Jonis Josef is the answer, but both he and the publisher are on the right track. Who said that a book has to be a single, long text with a beginning, middle and end that you have to read from cover to cover? Here is a book full of lively illustrations, signed by Mikael Noguchi, who is impressively good at portraying the author and famous people he jokes about. The text is occasionally highlighted in bold as an eye-catcher for those who need to be held firmly. You can go in and out of the text at will, read a bit here and a bit there without missing a long thread of action. BOLD: Variety of fonts makes the text easy to read. Photo: MIKAEL NOGUCHI/CAPPELEN DAMM Jonis addresses us as readers directly, tempts us to hook us, and gets critics like me in the first place by characterizing the book itself: Furthermore, he jokes that if a guy comes in and buys 50 books, he will surely use them to attract autistic children. Call the police! write Jonis, and add: but not before he has paid… Ellevill harselas Yes, this is a book with jokes, some are on the edge – like when Jonis asks what is worst for Anne Elisabeth Hagen, to be killed by that person she loves the most, or that the media uses the same image (understood: not a particularly flattering image) of her over and over again? Words in print can seem harsher than words spoken in an entertaining show context. No one has been sentenced in this case and will not be sentenced in advance. But mostly the joke works here too. LOVE ANXIETY: In Norway, you can become a celebrity by struggling with your psyche, writes Jonis Josef, and jokes about news hiring a man who “looks as if he quit heroin a quarter of an hour ago” to rent the programme. Photo: MIKAEL NOGUCHI/CAPPELEN DAMM Jonis is playing with woke music, influencers, racism and drugs. If you’ve followed the modern era for a while, you’ll find plenty to amuse yourself with. The author is a clear sender and communicates directly with the readers throughout the book, just as he plays to an audience in a theatre. Illustrator Noguchi’s portrait of him shows a committed, charming and slightly conceited guy who can, for example, laugh at the fact that he, who is so thin, has such a huge head. STRIKING ILLUSTRATIONS: The powerful expression of Mikael Noguchi suits the words of Jonis Josef well. Photo: MIKAEL NOGUCHI/CAPPELEN DAMM Spinoff product I have a sense for the concept. I also like the look of the book. Nevertheless, I can’t get rid of the feeling that this is a slightly smaller and sturdier product than the first choice, namely the live show. Would the book have been even better if the author had struggled more with the stand-up concept and gone in to create a book – on the book’s premises? I’m not sure. What is certain is that I think it is good to refresh the book home. Jonis Josef can write the shirt of many an established author. I hope he writes more – in several genres. Both young and older readers will benefit from it. news announces Title: “Jonis Josef presents: Stand-up show – but in book” Author: Jonis Josef Illustrator: Mikal Noguchi Genre: young adults Publisher: Cappelen Damm Number of pages: 88 Hello and welcome! I am a literary critic at news, and I write about books for both children and adults. Other good children’s books I have read recently are “Jakob and Neikob and the Time Machine” by Kari Stai or “The Heir” by Anne Gunn Halvorsen and Randi Fuglehaug. Tips for even more good children’s books can be found here. We are updating all our reading tips in this matter. news informs: Jonis Josef is a freelancer who delivers content on assignment for news to various departments. Josef and critic Anne Cathrine Straume have no contact with each other at news and have no personal relationship with each other in private.
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“Jonis Josef presents Stand up show – but in book” by Jonis Josef – Reviews and recommendations
