Jo Nesbø: How close have you come to death?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A recurring Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Jo Nesbø said elsewhere, not written here

Rock climbing in Oslo. During abseiling, I hadn’t tied a knot at the end of the rope and almost slid out. I saw the end of the rope at the last second, so I stopped abseiling.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 April 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Martin Clunes English actor

Abseiling down a cliff for Doc Martin in a suit, carrying a medical bag.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 September 2018 source ↗

Bertie Carvel British actor

I held my mother’s hand as she passed away.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 October 2021 source ↗

Esther Freud

My parents died within four days of each other. I was engulfed as I ran from one bedside to another.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

David Jason English actor

Diving in the Virgin Islands. I lost sight of the boat and had to swim to a tiny, deserted island. After a great deal of time, the rescue boat saw me waving for my life on the rocks.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 May 2021 source ↗