For the Love of Cod

Dregni, Eric. For the Love of Cod: A Father and Son's Search for Norwegian Happiness. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota 2021. Print

First Sentences:

My dad took me to Scandinavia when I was sixteen. Now it was my turn to take my son. The only problem was I didn't have the money.


Description:

If you ever plan to go on a trip to Norway as my wife and I did this past spring, or if you are curious about the people, environment, and culture of this Scandinavian country, then please explore Eric Dregni's For the Love of Cod: A Father and Son's Search for Norwegian Happiness

 

This is a personal, often humorous chronicle of a journey taken by the author with his son, Eilif, to visit the country of his son's birth. Since author Dregni did not have much money for hotels, he and Eilif stayed with relatives, friends of relatives, and friends of friends of relatives. This personal living situation allowed opportunities for much discussion with natives regarding Norwegian values, lifestyles, customs, oil fund income, the Nobel Prize (awarded in Oslo), taxes, environment, tunnels, and of course, food (whale anyone?), all of which Dregni shares his readers.

These inner workings of Norway are presented in a conversational tone as Dregni observes and learns about the country where he briefly once lived and where Eilif was born. Readers really get to know and understand this Norwegian world and its people through Dregni's questions and his hosts' opinions. Under discussion are issues such as:

• Volunteering - the expected communal work, or dugnad, where "All neighbors chip in and help because you never know when you'll need the help";
• Education - no grades are given until eighth grade "to downplay competition and build up self-confidence," and barnehager or outdoor education which begins during ages 1-5;
• Happiness - lykkelig or "make your own luck and happiness." The people live by the Norwegian expression, "Happy are those who have passion."
• Hiking - "Out on a walk, never cross." Grumpy kids are given a "Norwegian rucksack" packed for adventure, containing a sweater, a swimsuit, an umbrella, sandwiches, and a Kvikk Luns ("quick lunch") candy bar, then sent outside.

I loved learning about the concern over Tunnelfeber (tunnel fever) as Norway builds more and more tunnels to shorten road trips that previously required ferries or twisty, out-of-the-way roads. These new miles-long tunnels, however, block the views and, for many citizens, ruin their connection to nature. 

From bunads (traditional dress for women) and the busybody Bunad Police who check to make sure this clothing is authentic, to the Easter Chicken ("Why would a rabbit bring around eggs?"), to the Sakte (slow) lifestyle, exemplified by the most popular Norwegian television show ever: a 134-hour video taken from a fixed camera on the prow of a boat during a six-day boat ride from Bergen to the Kirkenes on the Russian border), For the Love of Cod is a fascinating look into Norway and its culture, told by a conversational, curious, and funny narrator and the wide variety of Norwegians he interacts with. Thoroughly delightful, even if you never plan to visit this wonderful country. Highly recommended.

Happy reading. 

Fred

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