Jo Nesbø

Jon "Jo" Nesbø (Norwegian: [ˈjuː ˈnɛ̀sbøː]; born 29 March 1960) is a Norwegian writer, musician, and former football player and reporter. More than 3 million copies of his novels had been sold in Norway as of March 2014,[1] and he had sold over 50 million copies worldwide by 2021, making him the most successful Norwegian author of all time.[2][3][4][5] His work has been translated into more than 50 languages.

Jo Nesbø
Nesbø in September 2008
Nesbø in September 2008
BornJon Nesbø
(1960-03-29) 29 March 1960
Oslo, Norway
Occupation
  • Writer
  • musician
Language
  • Norwegian
  • English
Genre
Children1
Website
jonesbo.com

Known primarily for his crime novels featuring Inspector Harry Hole, Nesbø is also the main vocalist and songwriter for the Norwegian rock band Di Derre. In 2007 he released his first children's book, Doktor Proktors Prompepulver (English translation: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder). The 2011 film Headhunters is based on Nesbø's novel Hodejegerne (The Headhunters).

Early life

Jon Nesbø[6] was born in Oslo on 29 March 1960, and grew up in Molde.[7] He graduated from the Norwegian School of Economics with a degree in economics and business administration.[8] He worked as a freelance journalist and stockbroker before he began his writing career.[9]

Career

The Harry Hole series

The series follows Harry Hole, a tough detective working for Crime Squad and later with the National Criminal Investigation Service, whose investigations take him from Norway to numerous other countries. Hole takes on seemingly unconnected cases, sometimes found to involve serial killers, bank robbers, gangsters, or the establishment, but spends a significant amount of time battling alcoholism and his own personal demons.[10][11]

The Harry Hole novels are multi-layered, violent, and often feature women in peril, as typified by The Snowman.[12] On the return of Harry Hole in The Thirst, Nesbø said: "I was always coming back to Harry; he is my soul mate. But it is a dark soul, so it is – as always – both a thrill and a chilling, emotionally exhausting experience. But Harry and the story make it worth the sleepless nights."[13]

A film adaptation of The Snowman, with Tomas Alfredson directing (replacing Martin Scorsese, who executive produced), and starring Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, and Charlotte Gainsbourg,[14] premiered in October 2017.[15]

The Doctor Proctor series

Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder, originally published in 2007, was Nesbø's first children's book. They are illustrated by Mike Lowery. The series is set in Oslo and follows the story of Doctor Proctor, a crazy professor waiting for his big break, his next-door neighbour Lisa and her peculiar friend Nilly, a short redheaded boy. The ruthless twins Truls and Trym Thrane sometimes lurk in the background. Doctor Proctor's first major inventions are a powder that makes the user fart (and the farts don't smell) and the "Fartonaut Powder," which makes the user fart so powerfully that they blast into space. In book 2 he invents a bathtub that allows the user to travel through time. As of 2018, there are 5 books in the series.

In 2014, a live-action film adaptation of the first book was made, and is only available in Norwegian. A sequel, Doktor Proktors Tidsbadekar, was released in 2015 with German involvement. Both films received mixed reviews.[16]

The Olav Johansen series

It was announced in October 2013 that, writing under the pen-name of Tom Johansen, Nesbø had written at least two novels provisionally entitled Blood on Snow and More Blood on the Water, scheduled to be published in autumn 2014 and spring 2015.[17][18] The books Blood on Snow and its sequel Midnight Sun: Blood on Snow 2 were published in 2015, but under Jo Nesbø's name.[19][20]

It was also announced in October 2013 that Warner Brothers had bought the rights to Blood on Snow and planned to make a screen adaptation, to be produced by and possibly starring Leonardo DiCaprio.[21] However, on 4 April 2017, it was reported that the screen rights had been purchased by Tobey Maguire's Material Pictures and Lawrence Grey's Grey Matter Productions, and that Maguire would make his directorial debut on the projected film adaptation.[22]

This series follows Olav Johansen, a fixer for Oslo crime boss Daniel Hoffman. In Blood on Snow, Olav has just found the woman of his dreams. The only problem is that she's his boss's wife and that his boss has hired him to kill her.[19]

A film adaptation of Midnight Sun, titled The Hanging Sun, directed by Francesco Carrozzini directing and starring Alessandro Borghi, Jessica Brown Findlay, Sam Spruell, Peter Mullan and Charles Dance,[23] premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in September 2022.[24]

Other projects

In 2011, the Nesbø story Twelve was adapted by Magnus Martens into the film Jackpot (Norwegian: Arme Riddere), a black comedy crime mystery film.[25]

In 2014 it was announced that Nesbø would contribute a re-telling of the story of Macbeth as part of the Hogarth Shakespeare project, described as a 'crime noir' version of the tragedy.[26][27] His Macbeth is set in 1970 in an unspecified location that combines aspects of Scandinavia and Scotland, and involves an Inspector Macbeth of a paramilitary SWAT team targeting bikers, drug dealers, and his police colleagues. It was published in April 2018.[28][29]

In 2016, it was announced that there are also plans to adapt his stand-alone novel, Sønnen (The Son), as a film, to be directed by Denis Villeneuve, with Jake Gyllenhaal as producer and Channing Tatum in the lead role.[30]

On 5 April 2017, it was announced that Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur was working on a new adaptation of I Am Victor, a short story by Nesbø previously planned as an NBC television series but not completed.[30]

Other work

Nesbø played as a striker for the football team Molde FK until he was forced to give up his football career upon tearing the cruciate ligaments in his knee.[31]

Nesbø has been the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the Norwegian rock band Di Derre since its formation in 1992.

Personal life

Nesbø lives close to his ex-wife and their daughter in Oslo.[2][8]

Nesbø is a dedicated rock climber, having begun climbing seriously at age 50. In 2023, he achieved a long-standing goal of climbing a French grade 8a sport route.[32][33][34]

Bibliography

The Harry Hole novels
Main article: Harry Hole

The Doctor Proctor novels
Main article: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder
  • Doktor Proktors Prompepulver (2007) (English: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder) (2010)
  • Doktor Proktors Tidsbadekaret (2008) (English: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder: Bubble in the Bathtub) (2011)
  • Doktor Proktor Og Verdens Undergang. Kanskje. (2010) (English: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder: The End of The World. Maybe.; also known as Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder: Who Cut the Cheese?) (2012)
  • Doktor Proktor Og Det Store Gullrøveriet (2012) (English: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder: The Great Gold Robbery; also known as Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder: The Magical Fruit) (2014)
  • Kan Doktor Proktor Redde Jula? (2017) (English: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder: Can Doctor Proctor Save Christmas? also known as Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder: Silent (but Deadly) Night) (2018)

The Olav Johansen novels
  • Blod På Snø (2015) (English: Blood on Snow, 2015)
  • Mere Blod (2015) (English: Midnight Sun, 2015)

Stand-alone works
  • Karusellmusikk (2001) – Short stories
  • Det Hvite Hotellet (2007) (English: The White Hotel)
  • Hodejegerne (2008) (English: Headhunters) – Adapted into the 2011 film of the same name.
  • Sønnen (2014) (English: The Son, 2014)
  • Macbeth (April 2018)
  • Kongeriket (2020) (English: The Kingdom, 2020)
  • Sjalusimannen Og Andre Fortellinger (2021) (English: The Jealousy Man and Other Stories, 2021)
  • Rotteøya Og Andre Fortellinger (2021) (English: Rat island and Other Stories, 2021)

Non-fiction

TV series

Okkupert (Occupied), based on a concept by Jo Nesbø, is a television series produced by TV 2 and Yellow Bird, the Swedish production house responsible for the Wallander TV series, and the films Headhunters and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The series is a political thriller which envisages what would happen if Norway were to be invaded by Russia to seize the nation's oil resources. The first season premiered in October 2015, the second in September 2017, and the third in January 2020.

Awards and nominations
  • The Riverton Prize 1997 for Best Norwegian Crime Novel of the Year (The Bat)[8]
  • The Glass Key Award 1998 for Best Nordic Crime Novel of the Year (The Bat)[8]
  • The Norwegian Booksellers' Prize for Best Novel of the Year 2000 (The Redbreast)[8]
  • The Mads Wiel Nygaard Bursary 2002 (Nemesis)[8]
  • Best Norwegian Crime Novel Ever Written awarded by the Norwegian book clubs in 2004 (The Redbreast)[8]
  • The Finnish Academy of Crime Writers' Special Commendation 2007 for Excellence in Foreign Crime Writing (The Devil's Star)[8]
  • Shortlisted for Duncan Lawrie International Dagger 2007 (The Redbreast)[35]
  • The Norwegian Booksellers' Prize for Best Novel of the Year 2007 (The Snowman)[8]
  • Shortlisted for Ark's Children's Book Award for Best Children's Book 2007 (Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder)[36]
  • The Norwegian Book Club Prize 2008 for Best Novel of the Year (The Snowman)[8]
  • Nominated for the Norwegian Bookseller's Prize 2008 (Headhunters and Doctor Proctor's Time Bathtub)[37]
  • Nominated for the Edgar Award 2010 (Nemesis)[38]
  • Awarded the Norwegian Peer Gynt Prize 2013[8]

References
  1. "Headhunters by Jo Nesbø" (review). Life in Norway. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2019. "As of March 2014 more than 3 million copies of his novels have been sold in Norway, and his work has been translated into over 40 languages, selling 23 million copies."
  2. Siegel, Lee (5 May 2014). "Pure Evil: Jo Nesbø and the rise of Scandinavian crime fiction". The New Yorker. Retrieved 1 December 2019. "Nesbø's Harry Hole novels have sold twenty-three million copies, in forty languages."
  3. Milne, Richard (21 April 2017). "Jo Nesbo, the Norwegian crime writer, on his climbing addiction". Financial Times. ft.com. Retrieved 1 December 2019. "Today, he is a best-selling crime writer, whose novels have sold some 33 million copies worldwide."
  4. "why Jo Nesbo avoids his fans at all costs". thenationalnews. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  5. "Norway Crime Author Jo Nesbo Earns $51 Million Book Royalties in 2019". forbes. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2020."
  6. "Derfor måtte han bytte navn". forbes (in Norwegian). 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022."
  7. Kuiper, Kathleen (25 March 2019). "Jo Nesbø". Encyclopaedia Britannica. britannica.com. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  8. "Jo Nesbo." Contemporary Authors Online. Gale, 2018. Retrieved via Gale In Context: Biography database, 30 November 2019.
  9. Monica Hesse (3 May 2011). "Jo Nesbo, the next Stieg Larsson?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  10. "Jo Nesbo official UK website". Jonesbo.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  11. McGrath, Charles (15 June 2012). "Norway Has Noir; Just Ask Jo Nesbo". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  12. Law, Janice (10 November 2011). "All the Beautiful Girls are Murdered". SleuthSayers.
  13. Cowdrey, Katherine (19 September 2016). "New Jo Nesbo novel coming next May". The Bookseller. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  14. Child, Ben (9 September 2015). "Michael Fassbender set to star in Jo Nesbø's The Snowman". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  15. Bradshaw, Peter (12 October 2017). "The Snowman review – Michael Fassbender plays it cool in watchable Jo Nesbø thriller". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  16. Fröhlich, Arild (14 March 2014), Doktor Proktors prompepulver (Adventure, Comedy, Family), Proton Cinema, Tradewind Pictures, Senator Film Produktion, retrieved 2 December 2021
  17. "Harvill Secker Announces Two New Books from Jo Nesbo" (press release). Harvill Secker. 8 October 2013. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016 – via booktrade.info.
  18. "Leonardo DiCaprio tilknyttet Nesbø-filmatisering". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  19. "Jo Nesbo: Blood on Snow". Penguin Random House. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  20. "Jo Nesbo: Midnight Sun". Penguin Random House. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  21. McNary, Dave (21 October 2013). "Leonardo DiCaprio Books Jo Nesbo's 'Blood on the Snow'". Variety. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  22. Fleming, Mike Jr. (4 April 2017). "Tobey Maguire to Make Directorial Debut on Jo Nesbo Novel 'Blood On Snow'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  23. Steingrimsen, Morten. "Charles Dance, Peter Mullan Join Cast of Jo Nesbo Adaptation 'The Hanging Sun' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  24. "Biennale Cinema 2022 | The Hanging Sun". La Biennale di Venezia. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  25. Jennifer Atkinson (4 August 2012). "Interview with Magnus Martens – the Norwegian film director of Jo Nesbø's Jackpot". The UPcoming.
  26. Flood, Alison (14 January 2014). "Jo Nesbø plans 'crime noir' version of Macbeth". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  27. "Jo Nesbo to publish retelling of Shakespeare's Macbeth – Jo Nesbo". Jonesbo.com. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  28. Bethanne Patrick (12 April 2018). "Jo Nesbo Gives 'Macbeth' A Gritty, Action-Packed Update". NPR. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  29. Steven Poole (12 April 2018). "Macbeth by Jo Nesbø review – Shakespeare reimagined". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  30. "Jo Nesbo's books on their way to the big screen". Malay Mail online. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  31. "Home – Jo Nesbo". Jo Nesbo. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  32. Anthony, Andrew (11 March 2012). "Jo Nesbø: 'I am a vulture' – interview". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  33. "Jo Nesbo • Sportclimbing Scorecard - 8a.nu Profiles".
  34. Team, Editorial (7 February 2023). "Jo Nesbø's (62) road to 8a". 8a.nu. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  35. Sutterud, Tone (24 April 2008). "Nemesis, by Jo Nesbo, trans. Don Bartlett" (review). The Independent. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  36. "Jo Nesbø: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder". Books from Norway. Norwegian Literature Abroad (NORLA). 18 September 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  37. "Nominert til Bokhandlerprisen Archived 17 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine" [in Norwegian; Nominated for the Booksellers' Prize]. Norwegian Booksellers' Association. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  38. "Mystery Writers of America Announces 2010 Edgar Award Nominees" (press release). Mystery Writers of America via PR Newswire. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2019.

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