I Want to Wake up to the World reaches for the dead, for the world, and for an understanding of and reconciliation with childhood and death. Grief and a longing for freedom are expressed through visions, fantasies and revelations, along with ruthless logical observations. This is a collection of open and intimate poems, which despite their deep sadness express a profound faith in the world.

FOREIGN SALES:
Denmark, Turbine
Sweden, Ellerströms
Argentina, Editorial Llantén.

Winner of the Tarjej Vesaas' Debutant Prize 2020
Winner of the Critic's Prize for Best Fiction 2020

Praise for I Want to Wake up to the World

“One of this year’s strongest books is a poetry collection by a debut author.”
Preben Jordal, Aftenposten

“These existential poems feels necessary right now. They are best read slowly, as we move into the new year.”
Ellen Sofie Lauritzen, Dagens Næringsliv – Best Books of the Year 2020

“Brændjord’s first book is a luminous poetry collection about grief and reconciliation. This is poetry that is both naked and imaginative, despairing and hopeful. Deeply personal, it goes right to the heart of what it means to be human.”
Sara J. Høgestøl, Vårt Land – Best Books of the Year 2020

“What makes such an impression is the author’s linguistic skill.”
Ane Farsethås, Morgenbladet’s podcast – Best Books of the Year 2020

“Incredibly, this is a lively, positive and humorous poetry collection about the suicide of a close family member. A stunning debut.”
Bjørn Ivar Fyksen, Klassekampen – Best Books of the Year 2020

Years pass between each time someone debuts with a poetry collection of the quality, originality and integrity Brændjord presents us with here.”
Espen Stueland, Klassekampen – Best Books of the Year 2020

“An inventive and lively book, pregnant with solemnity. The mother’s suicide occurs again and again throughout the 79 pages – it is terribly and astonishingly well-written.”
Karin Haugen, Klassekampen – Best Books of the Year 2020

“This is a sensationally good poetry collection.”
Björn Kohlström, Bernur

“Here, there is a striking aesthetic courage in the investigation of grief’s merciless grip on the heart, soul and thoughts, and such a strength of mind that we are spared the separation of spirit and nature. [...] The poems also make excellent individual reads, because Karoline Brændjord has a crystal-clear talent.’
Vårt Land

“Karoline Brændjord takes on an extremely difficult task – and is hugely successful in her completion of it.”
Dagbladet, 5 out of 6 stars

“A luminous literary voice.”
NRK

Karoline Brændjord

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