– We have read a very good script that we have worked on, and have had a very thorough and nice dialogue with the author. That is the reason why we publish the book, says publishing director for Norwegian fiction in Gyldendal, Kari Marstein. Author Per Marius Weidner-Olsen’s debut novel “I had a childhood almost like my own” created a lot of controversy in 2020. This autumn, his second novel “New Man” will be published via Gyldendal. – Do not know what reactions that come Weidner-Olsen’s debut novel was published by the publisher Oktober in 2020, and depicts the upbringing of a boy who, among other things, is subjected to sexual abuse. After the publication, it emerged that the author had previously been convicted of “obtaining sexual intercourse by abusing a position or relationship of trust”, as stated in the judgment. October chose to break with the author and stop all further editions of the book, among other things because they had not been informed of the verdict before the collaboration began. The victim in the verdict from 2003 reacted to the fact that the novel could be interpreted in a different light when one knew about the verdict. Read more about the background to the case here: Publishing director Marstein thinks it is difficult to know what reactions will come to the new publication. – There were two different starting points for the unrest around the previous book. We do not know if there will be reactions now, and what they will be about in that case, she says. The important thing for us is that we have had a good dialogue with the author, and we look forward to publishing a unique and literary strong novel this autumn, she says. POSITIVE: Editor-in-Chief Kari Marstein in Gyldendal is looking forward to the publication. Photo: Hallgeir Vågenes – Glad he still has authorship “New man” is about a man who is serving a prison sentence and about the time after serving his sentence. – It is also about guilt, shame, self-loathing and condemnation. And whether it is possible to get up afterwards, says Marstein. She adds that the book does not go into the verdict from 2003. – What do they think about the controversy in 2020 and that the offended from the verdict reacted to the debut novel? – We experienced that she asked a perfectly straightforward question about the legitimacy of the publication, because she saw it as something that was thematic for her own experiences with him. It can be agreed or disagreed with. But the motives from the previous novel are not present in this book, says Marstein. Both Gyldendal and the author are looking forward to the publication, she says. – I have the impression that he is very happy that he still has an authorship. Weidner-Olsen confirms to news that he is happy that the book will be something of, and works with the inspiration of ho no.
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Publishes a book by a controversial author – news Kultur og underholdning
