Herman [Paperback]

Lars Saaybe Christensen (Author), Steven Michael Nordby (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

Eleven year old Herman is not that different from other boys -- except that he is going bald! Presented with this dilemma, Herman uses his fertile imagination and a comical viewpoint on life to navigate through the rough seas commonly known as growing up and in the process teaches everyone something about friendship, courage, acceptance, and love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Poor Herman--has he got troubles. The bullies in his class make his life hell after school; the red-haired girl he likes humiliates him; his gym teacher calls him a sissy for failing at rope climbing; and all his hair is falling out from a mysterious illness that neither the doctor nor his parents will fully explain to him. Herman is furious at his parents for not understanding him and broods about his hair loss. But when his sick grandfather dies, the boy realizes there are bigger losses than his in the world and begins growing up. This is a tragicomic coming-of-age story--one that straddles the adult/young adult market--told from the perspective of an imaginative, funny kid. On seeing a pigeon in the rain, Herman thinks, "Birds are lucky not to need raincoats and hats. . . . But if it rains for forty days, like in Africa, then maybe they have to use life vests and snorkels?" Though Herman's mother gets superficial treatment, and some of Herman's jokes wear thin with repetition, the author enjoys extending the boy's imagination. Christensen ( The Joker ) uses fresh imagery and lyrical prose, while the translator gives readers a solid feel for Norway's language and culture. Film rights to RKO Pictures.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Herman goes to elementary school and lives with his nice, loving, working-class parents in Oslo, Norway. His life abruptly changes when he contracts the disease Alopecia areata, which causes him to go bald. The story, which evolves around spunky little Herman's attempts to cope with his trauma, holds the reader's interest more because of its unusual theme than for its psychological or artistic merits. The cultural milieu of Oslo in the 1960s seems too distant; many of the characters are more like caricatures than real people; and Herman himself doesn't quite come alive. Christensen's previous novel, The Joker ( LJ 4/15/91), was more successful, but although this book seems to be written mainly to support victims of Herman's disease, there may still be demand because of the recent release in this country of a film version. --Ulla Sweedler, Univ. of California at San Diego Lib.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: White Pine Press (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877727245
• ISBN-13: 978-1877727245
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,288,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Men's Health > Hair Loss

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hermann, April 16, 2001

By 

ben thompson (Vladivostok) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Herman (Paperback)

A very interesting exposition on Norwegian culture is perhaps the lesser strength of 'Hermann'. More importantly is this book more moving, uplifting and entertaining than much else that can be read about Norway. I'd recommend this to those who have no interest in Scandinavia and would suggest it as a must-read for those who have.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story, April 13, 2000

By 

Kaare Martin Granerud - See all my reviews

This review is from: Herman (Paperback)

Herman is a wonderful story about a young boy in Oslo, Norway, who start losing his hair. And there`s this little girl with the most outstandig read hair that he falls in love with. It`s a most charming story, and I`ve read the book twice and seen the movie three times, and I`ve named my first son Herman.