IN BRIEF
Q&A Helga Flatland
01 Could you introduce us to A Modern Family and how
the novel came about? A Modern Family is the story of a married couple, both 70, who decide to divorce after 40 years of marriage. The decision is seemingly undramatic for both of them, but feels very dramatic for their three adult children, Liv, Ellen and Håkon. I have long been interested in the
so-called generational shift, and how it affects the way we live. In this novel I try to examine how the family as an institution is affected by the new generation of seniors, who have a very different set of expectations and demands to life than the [genera- tions] before them.
02 The sibling relationship is at A Modern Family’s core.
Even if there are so many
What attracted you to writing about that? I set out writing this book with a desire to write about siblings and sibling relations. I grew up with three siblings, and find the relationships complex and interesting, particularly the relationships between grown-up siblings: even though they usually share the same upbringing in the same family—with the same inputs and references—they turn into very different people, often with a very different narrative of the same family history and background.
different ways of being a
family, I think the need to belong with someone is
universal, and that is what A Modern
Family is about
Helga Flatland Author
The Norwegian author, brought to UK readers by Orenda Books, discusses sibling rivalry, the Guest of Honour slot and translation protocol
Questions Tom Tivnan
03 A Modern Family won the
Norwegian Booksellers Prize, was a number one bestseller, and has been sold into seven languages. Obviously, the book has struck a chord with people both at home and abroad. Why do you think it has been so successful? Judging from the feedback from readers, a lot has to
do with recognition. Even if there are so many different ways of being a family, I think the need to belong with someone is universal, and that is what this book is about, most of all.
04 I’m always interested in how authors work with their
translators. Is it very “hands-on” with you and them? Is there a lot of back and forth? It varies a lot. Some ask no questions at all, others have many. Working with the English translation, I stayed in touch with translator Rosie Hedger,
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