Bible beats Fifty Shades of Grey in Norway

The Bible has outsold Fifty Shades of Grey and Justin Bieber's autobiography to top the Norwegian bestseller charts this month for a second year in a row.

The new Norwegian translation of the Bible has held the top spot for 54 out of the last 56 weeks.

Major Norwegian authors, such as Karl Ove Knausgard, were involved in the translation project and its release in October last year was met by huge demand, with some people even queuing overnight to obtain their copy.

Ingeborg Mongstad-Kvammen, Bible Society of Norway's General Secretary, said: "The stories of the Bible are some of the defining human stories.

"I hope it will re-engage both ministers and churchgoers in their interaction with the Bible. I hope it makes them curious to read it again.

"Through that, I hope it will develop their faith, and I hope that society at large will remember that the Bible is an important part of our cultural heritage."

In the 14 months since its release, the Norwegian Bible has gone on to sell more than 150,000 copies.

It has also inspired a new play by Norway's national theatre company, Det Norske Teatret. The production is being put on to mark the company's centenary and starts on 1 February.

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