From the bestselling author of Doppler, a wry and very funny look at the pitfalls of human existence . . . and the charms of celebrity chef Nigella Lawson.

Aspiring playwright Bror Telemann loves all things British. His wife, Nina, loves everything German. So a family holiday at the foot of the Alps, south of Munich — which Bror believes to be the birthplace of Nazism — is bound to cause tension. Especially when Bror spends the whole time virtually stalking (and constantly fantasizing about) his greatest obsession, British chef Nigella Lawson.

Can Telemann continue to bear the pressure of his empty existence? Or will his long-suffering family be the first to snap?

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Erlend Loe was born in 1969 in Trondheim, Norway. He studied folklore, film studies, and literature before working as a newspaper critic, in a psychiatric hospital, and as a schoolteacher. He is the author of eight novels, including Doppler, which was named a Guardian Best Book, and six children’s books, which have been translated and published in thirty-four countries. He lives in Norway.

Erlend Loe's profile page

Don Bartlett lives in Norfolk, U.K., and is the translator of, among others, Per Petterson and Jo Nesbø.

Don Bartlett's profile page

Don Shaw lives in Denmark and is the compiler of Danish-Thai dictionaries. He has previously collaborated with Don Bartlett on translations of novels by Roy Jacobsen and Jakob Ejersbo.

Don Shaw's profile page

...funny...

London Evening Standard

...there is something darkly charming about Lazy Days, but also unexpected [...] Is it brilliant? It may be brilliant. But it is also funny as hell. Don’t miss it.

January Magazine

It’s all about the deadpan dialogue in this charming novel.

Globe and Mail

There's much to enjoy in Loe's deadpan comedy...

Financial Times