BIOGRAPHY: Torgrim Eggen 2005 Torgrim Eggen is one of the leading contemporary novelists in Norway. His five first novels, published from 1992 to 2003, though independent works, describe a loose thematic cycle. According to Rottem: Norwegian Literary History (2001) Eggen is «the chronicler of post-modernism», a sharp observer of the changing cultural patterns and conflicts of modern society. He also, because of his wide experience and distinct style as a culture writer and journalist, has been labeled the «Norwegian Tom Wolfe». Eggen was born in Oslo 1958, the youngest member yet published of a well-known literary dynasty. His father taught literature at the University of Oslo. He studied music for a few years, Around 1980, he was caught up in the post-punk new wave movement and spent a few years touring, recording and producing as a musician (bass player). At the same time, he started working as a journalist, initially as a rock music writer. Since 1984, writing has been his sole occupation. He has worked for dozens of newspapers, magazines and web magazines, publishing more than a thousand articles. In between, he’s worked as an editor, as lecturer and radio commentator. As a culture writer, his scope of interest is broad, covering music from hip hop to avant garde, cinema, literature, visual arts, architecture and design, computers and technology, food and wine, travelogues, religious and political issues. As of today, Eggen is a syndicated columnist for Norwegian newspapers, writes a column for ELLE Magazine, contributes to the international architecture & design magazine Forum, to mention some regular assignments. He also is a translator, having done among others William Gibson’s seminal Neuromancer, Tim Flannery´s Throwim Way Leg, and Jim Lewis’ Why the Tree Loves the Axe. Eggen’s literary debut, Gjeld (Debt), was released in 1992 to great critical acclaim and healthy sales. This is the first-person story of Jørgen Wiik, a young man who is caught up in the crazy mid-Eighties media investment boom. Following the stock market crash of 1987, Wiik finds himself without a job, with a broken marriage, trying to bend the rules to keep his nice flat and the style of living he’s grown accustomed to. In the process, he discovers the austerity of zen buddhism. Gjeld is largely a comedy of manners. Hilal (1995) became his breakthrough novel, originally a main selection in Norway’s largest book of the month club, now in its twelfth edition. The Arab word «hilal» means «crescent moon», and this is the story of life in a part of Oslo dominated by Third World immigrants. The main characters are Thomas, a DJ, and Naima, the daughter of a Pakistani shopkeeper, who pursue a seemingly impossible love affair. This meticulously researched 500 page novel (Eggen spent seven months in Pakistan and the Middle East gathering the material) is also an exploration of islam in its many facets, from militant extremism to the religious and social culture of ordinary people. Hilal is also a melodramatic page-turner, and is set «in the near future». A feature film version of Hilal is «in development». Den nye Dylan (The New Dylan) from 1997 explores Eggen’s experiences from the music business, both as a musician and a music writer. This is a satirical novel about a fifty-year old singer/songwriter, a person with leftist leanings and a morally questionable background, and what goes on in the year of his 50th anniversary, the year his well runs dry. Both Hilal and Den nye Dylan received literary awards in Norway, the Gyldendal Prize and the Sarpsborg Prize, respectively. Pynt from 2000 seems destined to be Eggen’s first international success. Pynt is the story of an interior decorator who discovers love in his chaotic, non-fashionable upstairs neighbor. This novel, which is by turns philosophical, hilarious, and grotesque, has become the cult novel among architects and designers in Scandinavia. Pynt has recently been translated into Russian, German, Lithuanian and Finnish. In Russian, the novel is currently in its third edition. Eggen’s latest published novel is called Trynefaktoren (Face Value) and was released autumn 2003. A bona fide Norwegian best seller, this is again a satirical novel. Inspired by Norwegian folk tales and King Lear, Trynefaktoren is a hard core tale of political power struggle. The prime minister of the ruling Social Democrat party is dying from cancer, and there are three likely candidates for his succession. One of them appears remarkably square and honest, but there are some dirty stories in his past, which become uncovered during the dramatic nomination process and campaign. Another page-turner, this has sold about 60.000 copies in Norway. Eggen has also written works of non-fiction. In 1996, he wrote a book about the Internet. 2002 saw the release of The Scent of Havana, a cultural history of tobacco and the Cuban cigar, illustrated by photographer Rolf Aagaard. In 2004, he and partner Jan Omdahl, with internationally renowned photographer Knut Bry, published Matters of Taste, another coffee table book, this time with about 40 stories about the greatest wines and foodstuffs in the world. Eggen has recently spent two years in France, and is now based in New York City working on his sixth novel for Norwegian release autumn 2006. This will be about Cuba, and is tentatively titled Hermanas (Sisters).

The cover of Hermanas, published october 2006.