By Berit Haugen Keyes - Articles published in Three Monkeys Online
Airbrushing the heroes from History - Dermot Bolger and The Family on Paradise Pier
Dermot Bolger's latest novel, The Family on Paradise Pier, tells the story of a protestant family marginalised by the onward march of history. It's also a broad look at the great events of the 20th century, revolutions, the rise of natio...
An Irish Life. Nell McCafferty in interview.
In her autobiography, Nell, Nell McCafferty touches upon many of the dominant themes of Irish history and society over the last 50 years. From feminism through to armed conflict in Northern Ireland, McCafferty has always had strong opinions, which ...
Drowning the Shamrock. The place of drink in the Irish national holiday, St. Patrick's day.
St. Patrick's day is celebrated by the Irish worldwide, usually with parades and pints. It hasn't always been the case, and, in fact, in the nascent Irish Republic of the 1920's the national holiday was a dry one, at least in terms of alcohol....
A Baghdad Journal - Asne Seierstad
Norwegian Journalist Asne Seierstad, author of The Bookseller of Kabul, has spent her career reporting the human side of conflict. She discusses her experiences in Iraq, and the ethics of war reporting....
Imagine Sarajevo
How do you bring life back to a city that was the subject of the longest siege in modern European History? How do you encourage youths who have been sniped at and bombed to take an interest in art? What happens when you take five students from the richest...
Black cat seen walking under a ladder on Friday the 13th. A historical look at superstitions.
Steve Roud, author of A Pocket Guide to Superstitions of the British Isles, has studied and collected superstitions for years. In interview with Three Monkeys Online he sheds light on the history of popular superstitions such as Friday the 13th....
Christmas Reborn. The creation of a consumer Christmas - Professor Steven Nissenbaum in interview.
Over the top consumerism has increasingly become part of the Christmas tradition. Professor Steven Nissenbaum, author of the battle for Christmas argues that Christmas, as we celebrate it now, is an invention, and the starting point for the consume...
Halloween. All Hallows Eve - the day between years.
As children from America through to Italy celebrate Halloween, with the obligatory pumpkins and masks, the celtic and pagan origins of the festival are obscured. Berit Haugen Keyes takes a timely look at the origins and development of the festival....
Bushwomen. Angel in the house or demon on the loose – it is all in the presentation.
With the placement of strong, media savvy women, and careful use of language, George W. Bush is telling the world that 'W' stands for Women. Laura Flanders, in her book 'Bushwomen' suggests that nothing could be further from the truth....
U2 and Me. Neil McCormick in Interview.
Neil McCormick was always sure that fame and fortune awaited him. Possibly for his school mate, Paul Hewson, as well. In Bono's Doppelganger he tells the bittersweet story of having fame pass you by, while your mate becomes the biggest rock star on...
Everything is illuminated? Jonathan Safran Foer in interview.
The author of the complex and brilliant first novel Everything is illuminated, says that writing allows the writer to look at their unguarded self. Now, he's involved in politics, prompted by what he sees as the Bush administrations attacks on civi...
A pure escape – summer in the Norwegian mountains
While tour operators all around Europe fill their windows with photos of Sun drenched southern shores, Norway offers a refreshing alternative....
Chronicling Catastrophes - an interview with Åsne Seierstad, journalist and author of The Bookseller of Kabul
From her first assignments in Russia and Chechnya, Åsne Seierstad has chronicled some of the world's most dangerous conflicts, and has concentrated on the lives behind the fighting. She spoke to Berit Haugen Keyes about her bestselling book The Boo...
Kragero, pearl of coastal towns
Kragero, one of Norway's favourite holiday desinations, is situated on the Southern Coast, on the so-called Skagerak Riviera....
From the outside looking in – Norway and the EU
Norway remains one of those rarer than rare things, a non-EU nation in Europe. Ten years after the Norwegians rejected full EU membership, for the second time, Berit Haugen Keyes examines the arguments both for joining and for remaining outside the EU....
Reviews by Berit Haugen Keyes published in 3Monkeys Online
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Susanna Clarke's novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, is a strange mix of History and Fantasy which has topped bestseller lists around the world....
