Helle Helle’s simple, to-the-point prose cuts to the quick…it’s refreshing to find such an intimate book that leaves something for the reader to writer in their own mind…<b><i>This Should be Written in the Present Tense</i> is a contemporary classic in the making</b>

- Emma Nicklin, Stylist

Helle has enchanting gifts as a storyteller<b>.</b>.. <i>This Should Be Written in the Present Tense </i>possesses an immediacy that tenderly and consistently compels.

New York Times Book Review

A book with all the bigness hidden away

- John Self, Guardian

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<i>This Should Be Written in the Present Tense </i>may sound like just another bildungsroman, but it’s surprisingly devoid of ego, and deeply thoughtful

Paris Review

<b>Compelling </b>

Emerald Street

There is so much in this book, so much hinted at and alluded to. So much going on off-screen. [...] <b>One of the literary finds of the year</b>

Bookmunch

<b>A beautiful evocation of the reckless naïveté of the early years of adulthood</b>. [Helle Helle's] pared back style gives the novel a haunting quality, exquisitely reflecting the detachment and doubts of the protagonist's life. […] This is <b>a highly recommended introduction to the work of a talented new name on the European literary scene</b>

Book Trust

Helle Helle is a star in her native Denmark but hasn’t been translated into English until now – on this evidence she’s worth the wait

- Anthony Cummins, Metro

<b>I found myself utterly mesmerised</b> by this little novel about the seemingly commonplace. It’s stark minimalism is beguiling

Booklover

Helle Helle is <b>a beautiful stylist</b>. <i>This Should Be Written in the Present Tense</i> has an atmosphere that is deeply mysterious whilst staying entirely naturalistic – reminiscent of some of the less far out works of Marguerite Duras or Anna Kavan

- Mark Diston, Register

A beautifully intimate novel from award-winning Danish novelist, Helle Helle This should be written in the present tense. But it isn’t.Dorte should be at uni in Copenhagen. But she’s not.She should probably put some curtains up in her new place. And maybe stop sleeping with her neighbour’s boyfriend.Perhaps things don’t always work out the way they should.
Read more
A beautifully intimate novel from award-winning Danish novelist, Helle Helle This should be written in the present tense. And maybe stop sleeping with her neighbour’s boyfriend.Perhaps things don’t always work out the way they should.
Read more
Helle Helle’s simple, to-the-point prose cuts to the quick…it’s refreshing to find such an intimate book that leaves something for the reader to writer in their own mind…This Should be Written in the Present Tense is a contemporary classic in the making
Read more
A beautifully intimate novel from award-winning Danish novelist, Helle Helle

Product details

ISBN
9780099587477
Published
2015
Publisher
Vendor
Vintage
Weight
138 gr
Height
198 mm
Width
129 mm
Thickness
13 mm
Age
01, G, 01
Language
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet

Author
Translated by

Biographical note

Helle Helle (Author)
Helle Helle is arguably Denmark's foremost modern novelist and its most popular. She has been awarded many prizes, including the Danish Critics’ Prize, the Danish Academy’s Beatrice Prize, and the P.O. Enquist Award. She was recently given the Lifetime Award of the Danish Arts Council.

Her work has been translated into thirteen languages. This is her first novel to be translated into English.

Martin Aitken is the acclaimed translator of numerous novels from Danish, including works by Peter Høeg, Jussi Adler-Olsen and Pia Juul, and his translations of short stories and poetry have appeared in many literary journals and magazines. In 2012 he was awarded the American-Scandinavian Foundation’s Nadia Christensen Translation Prize.

Martin Aitken (Translator)
Martin Aitken has translated the works of many Scandinavian writers, among them Karl Ove Knausgaard, Helle Helle, Hanne Ørstavik and Olga Ravn. He lives in Denmark.