For generations, the Philippines’ colonial history—first under Spain and later the US—has shaped not only its politics and culture but also the reading habits of its people. Most of us grew up on a steady diet of telenovelas and English-language classics, from the haunting tales of Edgar Allan Poe to the sharp prose of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. European literature outside the English canon—whether Russian, Finnish, or Norwegian—has long remained a distant curiosity.

But times are changing. International book fairs like the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), coupled with cultural initiatives from embassies, are opening doors to new literary worlds. Among the voices breaking through is Norwegian author Alex Dahl, whose psychologically charged thrillers are introducing Filipino readers to the chilly elegance of Nordic noir.

To celebrate this growing connection, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila, led by Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster and his wife Madam Cathrine, hosted an intimate dinner at their residence last Sept. 12, 2025. The evening served not only as a warm Filipino welcome to Alex but also as a testament to Norway’s commitment to cultural exchange.

“Books give you something you won’t get from TikTok or Facebook,” Ambassador Christian told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, underscoring the embassy’s efforts to bring Norwegian literature closer to Filipino readers. “Connecting through literature across borders is what we aim to do.”

Alex herself is a study in duality. Born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and an American mother, she embodies the cross-cultural perspectives that define her work. Her education is as layered as her plots: degrees in Russian and German linguistics and international studies, a master’s in creative writing from Bath Spa University, and an MSc in business management. That rare combination of artistry and pragmatism has helped her carve a place in the demanding world of psychological suspense. Her debut novel, “The Boy at the Door,” was shortlisted for the prestigious 2019 John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Award, instantly marking her as one of the rising stars of the thriller genre.

Yet Alex’s path to dark fiction was anything but straightforward. In an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, she confessed that she initially wanted to write love stories. “At university, I signed up for a love story-writing workshop, but it was oversubscribed,” she recalled with a laugh. “They put me in suspense fiction instead. I was furious. But within five minutes, I knew—this is what I want to do. I love the pace of writing suspense.”

Her books, however, are not traditional whodunits. Instead of focusing on the mechanics of crime, Alex explores the psychology behind it. “I don’t write who did it, I write why they do it,” she explained. “The scariest things don’t always happen on the street—they happen inside our heads.” That fascination with human darkness drives stories that are both chilling and deeply human.

Motherhood has only sharpened her perspective. Raising three children gave Alex an intimate understanding of fear and vulnerability—emotions she now channels into her writing. “Motherhood made me afraid for the first time—really afraid,” she shared. “When you have something so precious, any threat to it feels primal. That fear is gold for a writer.”

Despite her international success, Alex is refreshingly candid about the challenges of the publishing world, especially for women. “It’s a tough industry,” she admitted. “You have to want it enough to face rejection after rejection. Maybe you’ll have a hundred nos before you get one yes—but that one yes makes all the difference.”

For young writers dreaming of breaking into the industry, she offers straightforward but hard-won advice: keep writing, keep reading, and trust your voice. “Every piece of writing, even the ones that never get published, builds experience,” she said. “Don’t stop, because every page you write is preparing you for that one opportunity.”

Now, after years of dissecting the human psyche through thrillers, Alex is returning to the genre she once thought she’d left behind: love. Her next novel is, at its heart, a love story set in France—though she promises it will still carry the psychological tension that defines her work. “It’s romance with the heartbeat of a thriller,” she teased.

With her visit to Manila and her growing Filipino readership, Alex Dahl represents more than just a new name on local bookshelves. She embodies the very purpose of cultural exchange: to expand horizons, challenge tastes, and remind readers that the most gripping stories—whether born in Oslo or Manila—speak to the universal truths of fear, love, and the complicated beauty of being human.

The Royal Norwegian Embassy continues to nurture this connection through a series of programs that promote literature across the Philippines. Beyond participating in the MIBF, the embassy partners with universities, bookstores such as Fully Booked, and other cultural institutions to spark conversations with students and young readers. Ambassador Christian himself visits campuses to engage directly with future changemakers, believing that today’s students will shape tomorrow’s literary landscape.

“Whether it’s Norwegian or Filipino, people should read more books,” he said. “Literature creates connections you can’t find anywhere else.”