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I’m 100% Norwegian. Well, maybe 90%. Actually, I have no idea. I haven’t mailed my saliva to one of those online genetics companies yet. I’m pretty sure I’m mostly Norwegian. So when A Frog in the Fjord: One Year in Norway was recommended to me, I considered it required reading.
I would like to visit my (presumed) homeland of Norway someday. Before I really didn’t know what to expect. Cold? Yes. Excessive darkness? True. Skiing obsession? Certainly. But otherwise, I didn’t know much about today’s Norwegian culture. Lucky for me, Lorelou Desjardins documented her experience moving to Norway as a French expat, mentally preparing me for my eventual visit.
A Frog in the Fjord chronicles Desjardins’ journey, tackling everything from the quirks of Norwegian social customs to the icy labyrinth of language barriers.
My A Frog in the Fjord book review:
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A Frog in the Fjord Summary
In A Frog in the Fjord, Lorelou Desjardins recounts her experiences as a French expat navigating life in Norway. Through a series of insightful (and sometimes funny) anecdotes, she captures the cultural shocks, challenges, and unexpected joys of adapting to Norwegian life. Throughout the book, she weaves in Norwegian vocabulary, often using these words as symbols to highlight key themes in each story.
She learns to embrace the concept of “koselig” (coziness) which helps her survive the infamous Norwegian winters. Navigating dating and courtship in Norway leaves her perplexed as she tries to decipher the reserved and sometimes enigmatic behavior of her potential suitors. Through her experiences, she uncovers the cultural values shaping these interactions. Desjardins offers a fresh perspective on a society that treasures simplicity, social equality, and a deep connection to nature.
The book dives into the peculiarities of Norwegian culture, such as their love of silence, obsession with outdoor activities, and their unique approach to work-life balance. And drinking. So much drinking. It may be unique to Desjardins’ experience, but many of her anecdotes involve some form of alcohol (which is very expensive in Norway!)
Desjardins quickly learns that Norway is far from the monoculture she once imagined. A trip to the northern part of the country (where the cold is no joke) reveals customs, attitudes, and dialects strikingly different from those in her Oslo home base.
Norway challenges Desjardins’ assumptions about life and happiness, leaving her forever transformed. A Frog in the Fjord isn’t just a memoir of cultural adaptation — it’s her love letter to the complexities of Norwegian life. Desjardins delivers it with wit, warmth and humor.
Who is Lorelou Desjardins?
Lorelou Desjardins is a French author, blogger, and lawyer known for her humorous and insightful takes on life as an expat in Norway. Originally from France, she moved to Norway in 2009 and has since immersed herself in the culture, learning the language and embracing the quirks of Nordic life.
Her popular blog, A Frog in the Fjord, continues to chronical her experiences as a foreigner adapting to Norwegian customs and society. Through witty and relatable storytelling, Desjardins captures the challenges of integrating into a culture that can feel both welcoming and reserved. Her book, A Frog in the Fjord, expands on her blog’s themes, offering readers a deeper dive into her journey of cultural discovery and self-reflection.
In addition to her writing, Desjardins is a passionate advocate for environmental and social justice issues.
Find Desjardins here:
And her “Frog in the Fjord” blog here:
Is A Frog in the Fjord on Audiobook?
Apparently, A Frog in the Fjord isn’t available as an audiobook… yet? I’d love to hear the correct pronunciation of all those Norwegian vocabulary words.
Now onto the rating! A Frog in the Fjord Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 3/5
A Frog in the Fjord has its fair share of references to drinking and casual sex. However, these elements are presented as part of her cultural observations rather than glorified or gratuitous content.
The tone remains lighthearted and observational. While frequent stories of drinking and casual sex may not fit everyone’s definition of “wholesome,” they don’t dominate the narrative or detract from the book’s overall warmth and humor.
Hilarity Score: 2/5
The book doesn’t try too hard to be a comedy, but it certainly has organic funny moments. Its humor is grounded in real-life scenarios and cultural differences. Desjardins often delivers her own cross-cultural misadventures in a genuine, self-deprecating way.
Here are a couple snippets from the book that I found funny:
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 4.5/5
I enjoyed A Frog in the Fjord (and it’s not just my 100-ish % Norwegian genetics talking!) It delivers an impressive blend of humor, insight, and cultural exploration that makes it an entertaining read. Lorelou Desjardins’ storytelling brings Norwegian quirks to life. While the book has its share of humor, its true value lies in its exploration of deeper themes like identity, community, and the courage to embrace the unfamiliar.
Things I liked:
- Hey, I’m Norwegian.
- Unique insights into Norwegian workplaces and social customs
- New vocabulary words. However…
Things I didn’t like:
- So many Norwegian vocabulary words! I wish there were an audiobook that pronounced them so I could get something out of it. As it is, they all just looked like a foreign language to me — because, well, they were.
- No audiobook (yet?)
Conclusion: Review of A Frog in the Fjord
A Frog in the Fjord is a fantastic pick for fellow Norwegians, French expats, frogs, and pretty much anyone else. Lorelou Desjardins captures the joy and confusion of adapting to life in Norway with wit and warmth. It convinced me to take that trip to Norway to explore my roots. Or at least drink some expensive Norwegian beer.
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
