Mennska is a compelling follow-up to the critically acclaimed one-man musical Good Morning, Faggi by the Perplex Theatre Group which enjoyed a two-year run, toured Iceland twice, and earned glowing reviews both locally and at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Written by queer actor Bjarni Snæbjörnsson, Mennska is part memoir, part reckoning—a poignant and introspective exploration of internalized homophobia and its impact on a privileged gay man in Iceland, often idealized as a "queer paradise."

Drawing from a collection of diaries and letters written during his teenage and early adult years, Bjarni recounts his journey from his childhood in Tálknafjörður, a remote fishing village of just 300 people, to a relentless search for escape and a sense of belonging. He sought solace and identity in fleeing Iceland, travelling to Canada, USA and Australia, then in fleeting connections in the arms of many men or, later, through the validation he found in his work as an actor.

The book is a candid and heartfelt exploration, blending vulnerability and humor. It delves into the awkwardness of youthful diary entries, the triumphs and defeats of Bjarni's career, and harrowing encounters with subtle systemic oppression. Together, these moments paint a vivid picture of the profound psychological toll of marginalization.

At its core, Mennska is a richly layered coming-out story that goes beyond the surface. It tackles themes of shame, self-loathing, and the arduous journey toward self-acceptance and belonging. This is not just a memoir—it’s an honest, unflinching examination of what it truly means to come home to yourself.