2024
It’s the summer holidays and 15-year-old Mahmoud pictures long days on the bench outside his block of flats. Norwegian Norwegians go off on their summer holidays, but what do penniless immigrants do?
All the same, though, this summer will be different because the family has a visit from Uncle Ji from Pakistan, and Mahmoud is given the job of showing his uncle around Oslo. Uncle Ji is amazed by Norway and then he starts to wonder what’s wrong with Ali, Mahmoud’s little brother – the one who plays with Elsa dolls and doesn’t behave the way Pakistani boys are supposed to.
Before the summer is over, Mahmoud will be put to the test – both as the son and brother of his Pakistani family.
Listen up! is a firework of a novel. It renders a community of minorities in a truly original and distinctive voice.
Very, very good book! – *****
A powerful and noisy book debut that forces both its protagonist and its readers to confront their own prejudices.
This is a truly good and important YA novel.
almost impossible to put down.
Charms the readers off their feet
Gulraiz Sharif’s book must be the freshest breath of air among this fall’s titles.
This is YA literature with an effect – also after the last page has been turned.
Cheeky novel about trans child in Norwegian-Pakistani setting
Something as rare as a hilarious, Norwegian-Pakistani coming-of-age novel about poverty and a trans child, full of distinction and linguistic punch.
He will remain one of this fall’s foremost, sassiest and most entertaining new voices.
Hilarious YA novel about a Norwegian-Pakistani family, as seen through 15-year old Mahmoud’s attentive eyes – *****
(…) this debut should be purchased in class sets for junior high students.
(…) a fresh style that is both hilarious and serious!
Gulraiz Sharif
Åsmund Holien Mo
