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Jeffrey Karl Johnson's new memoir explores not only Norwegian culture but the author's own family history.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — What can we learn from Norway? Ask Jeffrey Karl Johnson and he'll tell you: A lot.
Ten years ago, Johnson was a contestant on the Norwegian reality TV show "Alt for Norge."
On the show, Norwegian Americans learn about their roots and compete for the chance to meet their ancestral family.
"It was a bit of a life-changer," Johnson said. "While on the show, one of our exercises was a ceremonial burying of the Janteloven. The Janteloven, or in English, the Law of Jante, are the 10 rules of how Norwegians hate themselves."
Aksel Sandemose, a Danish-Norwegian author, created the concept in his 1933 novel "A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks."&...
