they

by Helle Helle, Martin Aitken (Translator)

I en provinsby på Lolland begynner en seksten år gammel jente på gymnaset. Moren hennes skulle egentlig ha vært på arbeid i forretningen på torget. Og datteren skulle egentlig ha vinket til moren på vei til bussen om morgenen. Men dette året er ingenting som det egentlig skal være.
de er en skildring av et mor-datter-forhold. Det er en fortelling om sykdom og kjærlighet og om å gå på gymnaset på åttitallet. Om ønsket om å kunne formulere seg i lengre setninger. Og det er en fortelling om å holde fast, og å slippe når man må. Med humor og alvor og dirrende ømhet skriver Helle Helle fram et portrett av en ung jente på vei inn i voksenlivet.

Genres: Fiction, Danish, Denmark, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Roman, Novels

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2018

About the author

Helle Helle (born 1965) published her first book in 1993. Since then, her work has garnered overwhelming critical and popular acclaim.

Recently awarded the Golden Laurel literary prize, Helle Helle is the recipient of countless literary accolades, among them the Danish Critics’ Prize, the Danish Academy’s Beatrice Prize, the P.O. Enquist Award and the prestigious Lifetime Award of the Danish Arts Council.

Her novels and short stories have been translated into 18 languages.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bob / novel / 2021
They / novel / 2018
If You Want / novel / 2014
This Should Be Written in the Present Tense / novel / 2011
Down to the Dogs / novel / 2008
Rødby-Puttgarden / novel / 2005
The Idea of an Uncomplicated Life with a Man / novel / 2002
Cars and Animals / short stories / 2000
House and Home / novel / 1999
Remains / short stories / 1996
Example of Life / novel / 1993

Reviews

[Maria Johansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘de’ foregår i 80’erne, men det eneste datid der er over Helle Helles seneste roman, er den sproglige flygtighed som afspejler livets gang. Brugen af nutid understreger netop angsten for det, der kommer og for, at noget skal være forbi. Ingen mestrer sproget som Helle Helle!

I ‘de’ følger vi ’hun’ – en sekstenårig pige, som går på gymnasiet og bor sammen med sin mor. ’Hendes mor’, som er moderens betegnelse gennem hele fortællingen, er alvorligt syg, men, som det kendetegner Helle Helles skrivestil, introduceres læseren kun til sygdommen og det øvrige liv ved hjælp af det, der sker i nuet. Det er derfor igennem telefonopringninger fra sygehuset eller henkastede bemærkninger, læseren forstår, hvor alvorlig moderens sygdom egentlig er. Handlingen foregår i 80’erne – der er mousse i håret, telefonopkaldene er billigst om aftenen og centerbodegaens pommes nydes med rigeligt remoulade. Læseren lander i det stille Rødby på Lolland, hvor bussen har afgørende betydning for dagens og livets gang. Den er rødbyboernes forbindelse til omverdenen, og for en sekstenårig pige, er den en afgørende livline og stedet, hvor store tanker og dagligdagsdrømme finder sted.

Som det altid er med Helle Helles tekster, bærer ‘de’ præg af en minimalisme, som tvinger læseren til at søge mellem linjerne, for hun beskæftiger sig ikke med traditionelle personkarakteristikker som beskriver sind og temperament. I stedet lærer vi karaktererne at kende på samme måde, som vi erfarer i den virkelige verden, hvor der heller ikke er en almenvidende fortæller til at hjælpe os på vej. Vi ved for eksempel at ’hun’ går med kinasko, at hun drømmer om at skrive romanen ”fortovstanker”, at det ikke er fedt at være borgerlig og gennem hendes uendeligt mange omsorgsfulde handlinger over for mor, ved vi, at hun elsker ’hendes mor’ meget højt. Det konkrete vinder over det abstrakte, og følelser forsøges ikke beskrevet eller forklaret, i stedet bager man måske et flute, lægger uden et ord telefonrøret på eller går baglæns ud af stuen.

Hele romanen er, med meget få undtagelser, skrevet i nutid, hvorfor der forekommer sætninger såsom “ferien begynder for en time siden” eller “i morges ligger der en næsten ny kedeldragt”. Helle Helles sprog er lige så flygtigt som livet selv. Hun lader på én gang tiden gå i stå og opløser alt det, der skete for et øjeblik siden. Ingenting udfoldes uden læserens eget engagement og brugen af nutid understreger netop angsten for det, der kommer og for, at noget skal være forbi. Nutidsformen bliver således mere end blot en sproglig finurlighed. Den bliver en væsentlig del af indholdet og er med til at forme fortællingen om en ung piges liv og hendes forhold til sin mor. Med det in mente, kunne tidsformen næppe have været anderledes, fordi livet for en sekstenårig gymnasieelev netop altid leves i nutid.

Dertil er der tilføjet små referencer til den ivrige Helle Helle fan, som føler sig særligt udvalgt til en hemmelig klub, når passager, steder eller navne fra tidligere romaner genbruges.

‘De’ er kort – og jeg ville ønske, jeg havde mere læsning tilbage – men Helle Helle får sagt det hun skal, og hun er skoleeksemplet på, at vi faktisk kan forstå hinanden med relativt få ord. Vi har at gøre med endnu en sprogligt skarp perle fra Helle Helles hånd, som trods et beskedent sideantal, er en bog, læseren kan bruge uger på at læse og fordøje.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "they" referred to in the title of this little Danish novel by Helle Helle, is a mother and her daughter. Their lives are so symbiotic that sometimes it's hard to distinguish one from the other. There are a few instances of breathtaking writing early on where one is like the echo of the other, it doesn't matter which, and surprisingly, I was entirely taken (and not irritated) by how artfully the author constructed scenes in which I wasn't sure who was who.

When I hear "plotless" in a description of a book, I'm usually put off. Some people have used that word in their reviews of they, but I'm really glad I gave this book a chance. It's not true there's no plot, but the plot is more inferred on the part of the reader rather than spelled out by the author. The story is mostly comprised of mundane happenings in the lives of the nameless teenage girl and her mother. The clink of the glass in the sink, the cold gush of air as the door opens, the bus that zooms by as her toe throbs in her boot.

The mother and daughter are faced with the mother's very serious illness. Surely a terminal illness, although nothing is spelled out. There's little to no interiority in this novel. We see what happens and the reader is left to come to their own understanding. Thankfully since the author details the day's moments so faithfully and so beautifully, it wasn't difficult for me to place myself in the room with them, to see the steam rise from a mug, to hear the ring of the phone, to feel the ache and lostness of a girl in high school who is living alone while her mother is in the hospital.

The book is written in present tense, which draws the reader further into the moment. Each moment, precious in light of the mother's illness, each moment worthy of recording and falling into.

This month, my own daughter (my precious one who I recall so clearly holding my gaze during one of our midnight meetings in the first week of her life) graduated high school. Her year was a challenging one, our road wasn't easy, and I fretted often about her, did my best to support her in any way, even though she isn't good at asking for help. I'm only as happy as my unhappiest child, I said once to her, during a difficult moment. So this story about moments in the lives of a mother and daughter - which include pain but also such sweetness and even laughter - this was a gift!

[Marcus (Lit_Laugh_Luv) · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5 stars] Helle Helle has such a unique way of storytelling that took a while for me to acclimate to. The ambiguity in perspective, present tense, and fragmented vignettes creates a story that simultaneously balances both absence and presence. they is about a mother-daughter relationship where their idyllic life is shattered by the onset of the mother's unspecified, terminal illness. Except that the illness is seldom discussed overtly -- we get only passing remarks about the mother's prognosis, and neither mother nor daughter is willing to address it. In essence, a story about everything except for what it promises.

The book is largely comprised of a collection of mundane scenes from the daughter's perspective, capturing her friendships, school life, and romantic life. It's a testimony of her life, which must go on despite her mother's illness. As a reader, we are never privy to the inner monologue of any character, and we passively observe everything from a distance. As others have mentioned, I didn't realise we got no inner monologue until I finished the book. Despite this, the characters feel well-developed, and it's a further subversion of the typical narrative structure.

While some aspects of the story failed to grasp me (it wasn't until the mother's hospitalisation that I really "got" this), it's hard to deny that this is superbly crafted. For me to say I've never read anything like this is quite a high compliment, and I think a different story from this author may capture my heart even more. The ending was a little lacklustre here (hence the 3.5 rating), but I'd recommend this!

[Maxwell]

Your mileage may vary with this one--the ultimate in 'no plot, just vibes' short translated litfic novels. A nameless mother and daughter duo move apartments, make grocery runs, go to school and work, have friends over, visit friends, get sick, support one another. It's a quiet, simple meditation on life, particularly, for me, how both good and bad things can coexist, that life is rarely simple and often more beautiful in its messiness. While I didn't emotionally connect with this one very much, I appreciate what it's doing and think Helle Helle is a talented writer.

[Jillian B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story depicts a year in the life of a mother and daughter in 1980s Denmark as the mother grows increasingly ill. You guys, I am usually a huge lit fic and translated fic fan. Give me a no plot, just vibes book, and I will be happy. But this one was just SO slow and the vibes were decidedly lacking. There were so many details given about uneventful days that I just didn’t care about. It felt like reading someone’s very dull diary. Call me a rube or a philistine, but I found myself super bored by this one.

[Lukáš Cabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mne sa jej štýl tak veľmi páči, je na ňom čosi detské, čosi násťročné a čosi také čisto ľudské.

Chcel by som mať vo svojom teenage veku kamošku - ako sú hrdinky z kníh Helle Helle. Dnes mám! Ale kto mi nahradí tie dávne roky... :D

[Yahaira]

thanks to New Directions for the arc

I feel like this is one of those books I have to protect. This was a tender, beautiful, playful, and deceptively simple novel. Some will dismiss it for its "plotlessness" or quietness, while I'm over here amazed at how this tiny minimalist thing forces you to pay attention to everything that isn't on the page. The words read lightly, but the feelings I felt were so heavy. This is about the small everyday things, just living life, while something awful and huge is happening.

“They” are a teenage daughter, ‘she’, who’s about to start high school, and her mother, ‘her mother’, who gets a dire medical diagnosis in the 80s. It’s only from background conversations or what seems like a throw away line that you get a hint of how her illness is progressing. She goes to school, rides the bus, meets boys, studies, goes to parties, cares for her mother, or has to stay alone while her mother is working or later is in the hospital. Let me tell you now that you’re going to mix up who ‘she’ is a few times throughout the novel, mother and daughter becoming one through this quiet tragedy. The book is written in the present tense without an omniscient narrator; I didn’t notice right away that I was never in anyone’s head, the characters are so realized. You literally have to focus on the moment and have to learn about these characters through their actions or the few things they say.

As I write this I realize the beauty of this technique, which allows she to continuously live with her mother as her eventual grief is postponed. We know what’s coming, but let’s linger for a while. She and her mother talk and laugh about everything except for this future that is coming for them. This whole book reads to me like real life, you only know as much as a person tells you, you continue living, doing chores, drinking coffee, laughing, trying out some new recipe (in my family’s case it was a lot of crusty bread and mini banana bread loafs), instead of talking about that dark thing that’s growing between you.

[cypt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susiradau įkvėpta puikiųjų Goodreads influencerių - Jurgio, Aurelijos ir peleko. Labai keistas ir nejaukus skaitinys, toks kaip Tove Ditlevsen, tik nutarkuotu paviršiumi: skaitai ir visą laiką jauti, kad vyksta kažkas negera, neaišku? bet kas? Niekas neaišku, tik tas jausmas, kad skaitydama panyri į kažkokį nežinia ko sluoksnį ir per jį reikia kapanotis. Gal tai ir yra minimalizmas.

Nežinau, ar dėl stiliaus, ar dėl subjektyvybių nuolatos galvojau, kad tas minimalizmas, nuolatinis esamasis laikas, visiškai redukuotas vaizdavimas slepia kažką bloga. Mums visą laiką vardijama, ką veikia pagrindinė veikėja, šešiolikmetė mergina, negana to, ką ji galvoja, tačiau toks jausmas, kad iš dešimties minčių ar veiksmų išbraukti minimum 8, lieka 2, jie lyg ir kuria iliuziją, esą daugiau nieko nėra, bet ir erzina mus, skaitytojas, nė kiek nenutuokiančias, ką atvertų tie likę 8 ar bent pusė jų. (Jau man tai tikrai negresia minimalizmas.) Pati visą laiką buvau užtikrinta, kad kokia nors užuominėlė galiausiai išduos, jog tas už kadro likęs pasaulis pilnas blogio ir žiaurumo, kad merginos santykis su motina bus koks nors smurtinis, kad jos pačios buvimas pasaulyje, mano akims toks apribotas, bus kažkokiu būdu apsunkintas, grėsmingas. Ir kaip buvo keista pamažu suprasti, kad taip nėra. Paskui peleko apžvalgoje perskaičiau, kad toje nematomoje erdvėje skleidžiasi meilė, ir likau priblokšta - taip, o aš likau visiškai apie ją nė nepagalvojusi. Puiki pamokėlė apie tai, kad tai, ko nematai, nebūtinai yra grėsmė. Biški banalu vien apie tai galvoti, bet gal ir simptomiška, kai šiandien viską norime žinoti, išsiaiškinti, pamatyti, nuo true crime iki pačių giliausių bet kokios ligos, fizinės ar psichinės, paslapčių.

Ir štai tie nutylėjimai ir susitelkimas į vieną kasdienybės siūlą, užsimerkiant prieš visus likusius, sykiu ir kelia didžiulį nerimą, ir atrodo labai labai suprantamai, ypač galvojant apie ligą. Pagrindinės veikėjos mama, o jos gyvena tik dviese, visą laiką negaluoja, paskui paguldoma į ligoninę, bet išeina kone dar silpnesnė. Kol jos nėra, dukra beveik vegetuoja, namuose chaosas, net pamiršti, kad jai 16, atrodo, kad 6. Bet sykiu tai ir adekvatus bent jau vidinio gyvenimo paveikslas. Ir tai, kad liga taip ir nepaaiškėja, kad ji išlieka tik tarsi veiksmo periferijoj pasireiškiančiu vienu kitu simptomu, atrodo literatūriškai keista, o emociškai labai tikslu. Skaitydama dar galvojau, kad šiaip jau pernelyg daugelis tekstų, kuriuose aprašoma, kaip kas nors lieka nepasakyta, beveik nepadoriai daugžodžiauja, tarsi erzina skaitytoją ar net koketuoja. Pas Helle Helle, atrodo, jei apie ką nors nekalbi, tai nekalbi ir beveik apie nieką kita, nėra kažkokių beprasmių užpildų - o gal jie tiesiog "nesiskaito", todėl nepakliūna į tekstą.

Įspūdinga ir labai norėsiu skaityti dar. Ir vis tiek, net ir dekonstravus nuosavas to, kas nematoma, baimes, lieka nejauku. Vienos iš nesmagesnių kada nors duotų 5*, bet toks jausmas, kad teisingos.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 2014 udkom Helle Helles seneste roman Hvis det er, og i år er hun atter aktuel – med romanen de. Det er 25 år siden, debut(roman)en Eksempel på liv udkom, og bogen markerer derfor samtidig forfatterens jubilæum. Som altid er det med en stor forventningsglæde, man kaster sig over en ny udgivelse fra forfatteren med den stramme stil og det ordknappe sprog. I titlen skæres der på hellesk manér ind til benet – den består jo af blot ét ord, nemlig pronomenet ”de” (som vel at mærke skrives med små bogstaver).

I de går den 16-årige unavngivne hovedperson i gymnasiet i begyndelsen af 80’erne; hendes unge alder til trods har hun påfaldende mange lighedstræk til fælles med forfatterskabets øvrige, ældre kvindeskikkelser. Hun besidder en charmerende blanding af barnlig naivitet og gammelkloghed og navigerer i et ungdomsliv fyldt med lektier, veninder, fester og kurtiserende drenge. Tilsyneladende trivialiteter tillægges den største betydning fra sidelinjen af livet. Nogle gange mere iagttager end deltager hun i det, der foregår for øjnene af hende.

Ungdoms- og gymnasielivet er bogens ene handlingsspor; det andet og mere betydningsbærende skildrer hovedpersonens forhold til sin mor og deres hverdag sammen. Deres forhold er fuld af latter, nærvær, ømhed og kærlighed. Men ”de”-konstellationen trues, da moren bliver alvorligt syg og indlægges på hospitalet. Hospitalsscenerne, hvor hovedpersonen besøger sin mor, er blandt bogens stærkeste og mest rørende. Netop fordi de viger udenom at tale om sygdommen, ja, sågar at nævne den ved navn, bliver det på en måde endnu mere sørgeligt. Fordi man fornemmer, der er en masse følelser, som der ikke bliver sat ord på. Hverken af mor eller datter. Det kommer der til gengæld fremragende litteratur ud af.

Helle Helle vender i de tilbage til det stof, hun mestrer som ingen anden: nemlig sit eget. Som gennembrudsromanen og den (fortjent) kritikerroste Rødby-Puttgarden (2005), hvor forfatteren, der selv er opvokset i Rødby, for første gang skrev om det sted, hun kommer fra, foregår de også i Rødby (går man til bogen med en forventning om, at det er en efterfølger eller en toer, vil man dog blive slemt skuffet). Forfatterens kendskab til det sted, hun skriver om, kommer til udtryk i de troværdige miljø- og persontegninger.

Bogen peger flere steder bagud i forfatterskabet mod tidligere bøger, men den peger samtidig – med anvendelse af forskellige formgreb og sproglige virkemidler – frem mod de bøger, der skal komme. Den er dog ikke mere eksperimenterende, end at den stadig lyder umiskendeligt hellesk. Og heldigvis for det; det er nemlig ikke ment som en kritik, men en (stor) ros.

[Denisa Ballová · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dánska autorka Helle Helle vo svojom útlom románe približuje vzťah oklieštený na minimum – mamu s dcérou, dcéru s mamou. Ostatné sa deje pomimo nich, v ústraní, na dánskom ostrove na konci sveta.

Helle Helle píše útržkovito. Jej postavy vychádzajú z hmly, ktorá sa znesie na ulice dánskych miest po slabom daždi. V krátkych kapitolách, z ktorých niektoré majú len jeden odsek, píše o všednosti aj obyčajnosti našich životov, a potom tiež o únave, ktorá z toho vyplýva.

„Ale nezvládá ten náhlý přechod k všednodennosti. Handrkování kvůli uzenému úhoři k obědu. Mlčení. To bude radši sama, jenže sama není.“

Dejom sa tiež nesie neutíchajúci smiech mamy s dcérou, dôležité zblíženia po hádkach, náznaky lepších časov.

Zvláštnosťou knihy Ony je prítomný čas, ktorý autorka používa v celej knihe. Všetko sa odohráva v tomto momente, a čo príde alebo bolo zostáva nemenné – súčasné. Mama a dcéra, dcéra a mama. Spolu sa brodia problémami, ktoré sú reálne ale zároveň mimoriadne. Mama rieši z nemocnice po telefóne dcérino prechladnutie. Dcéra sa musí vyrovnať s maminou chorobou. Majú jedna druhú a pritom to často nestačí.

Helle Helle napísala výnimočnú a dôležitú knihu o dospievaní už dospelého dievčaťa, ktoré bolo okolnosťami prinútené stáť v severskej víchrici. Jej kniha Ony sa začína v strede ničoho a rovnako tam sa aj končí. To ostatné prebehne len tak mimochodom.

[Brandy Leigh]

I like “no plot just vibes” as much as the next girl, but this felt emotionally distant and many scenes came across as mundane and uninteresting.

[Søren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeg læser den sidste side, hvor Bob tilbyder at hun kan komme forbi i morgen og hente et blomkålshoved. Derefter bladrer jeg tilbage til side 1, hvor hun går over marken i kinasko med et blomkålshoved. Står tiden stille? Ligger der stadig en elegant foldet pyjamas på gulvet i butikken?

Helle Helle skriver et mesterværk. Efter at jeg læser den færdig filosoferer jeg over hvordan hendes bøger om stille liv med få ord har en særegen relation til Virginia Woolfs tætmalede romaner. Woolf dissekerer sin handling og sine personer som var de løg. Hvert et blik og måden hvorpå suppeskeen føres til munden spredes udover adskillige tætskrevne sider. Helle Helles metode er den modsatte. Personerne skildres sparsomt men de udvalgte nedslag er så præcist formulerede at man er der selv og ser og forstår alt.

I øvrigt er der en sjov sproglig intertekstuel pointe i romanen. Efter at Helle Helle udgiver bogen “Dette burde skrives i nutid”, så vælger hun at skrive “de” helt sparsomt og kun nutid. Jeg prøver det samme her, og det er svært. Indimellem falder sproget næsten fra hinanden.

Går pæren i går?

[cass krug · Rating 4 out of 5]

a quiet portrait of a mother and daughter’s life together in 1980s denmark. i loved the imagery and descriptions of their home, their town, and their day to day life. there’s an unspoken heartache surrounding the mothers illness, coupled with the daughter’s simultaneous coming of age. such a subdued exploration of a mother-daughter relationship. i found the writing style with the constant present tense a but difficult to orient myself within at times but i appreciate the layered effect it gave. no plot just vibes but i loved the vibes.

[Dolf Patijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een wat vreemde roman over eenzaamheid en verdriet. De hoofdpersoon is een 16 jarig meisje met een zieke moeder. De ziekte wordt slechts terloops benoemd. Het boek is minimalistisch en ook zaken uit het verleden zijn in de tegenwoordige tijd geschreven, hetgeen vervreemdend werkt. Er gebeurt naast de dagelijkse beslommeringen niet veel in het boek maar werkt door de uitgewerkte kleine gebeurtenissen juist beklemmend. Sfeervol.

[Salty Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

They refers to a mother and her sixteen year old daughter. Over the span of a year sometime in 80s Denmark, they move from place to place, depending on their dire financial means. The mother learns she has a terminal illness and the daughter grows up overnight - visiting her mom in hospital, preparing meals, cleaning up the apartment and attending school, while befriending some classmates. The relationship between the two is intense and warm. Sparse writing that is bleak and extremely touching.

[Lea Vilhelmsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Målløs, mestendels. Hvordan skrive så meget, så smukt, så kort. Rørende & imponerende.

[Niki Vervaeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

De moeder is de vastigheid. Ondanks alles
Er is vertrouwen
Ondanks alles
Er is liefde en zorg
Ondanks alles
en het is als het ware plukken van alledaagsheid op een zodanige manier dat het de schoonheid van de liefde nog beter laat uitkomen
ik kan dit niet verwoorden. het is van een laten raken.
leest u het vooral zelf
https://www.tzum.info/2020/01/recensi...

[Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this, but I would have liked a bit more of an ending.

I get what it was going for, but just give me a little bit more and this would have been perfect

[pelekas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kokia apgaulinga knyga – maniau, kad perskaitysiu greitai, kaip su vėjeliu, bet visai ilgai užtrukau, iš pradžių šiek tiek žiovavau, bet ilgainiui knyga vis labiau traukė į save, jutau, kaip giliai viduje kažkas krebžda, jungiasi, kol užliejo tokiu galingu liūdesiu, kad liko tik verkti.

Knyga pasakoja apie paauglę mergaitę ir jos mamą, sergančią turbūt onkologine liga. Jos gyvena dviese mažam miestelyje, regis, neturi jokių giminių. Labai švelnus, gražus jų santykis, gal labiau kaip draugių, jau pradžioje pasakoma, kad tai paskutiniai jų metai, nors per buitines scenas gali tai pamiršti. Hellės Hellės veikėjai visada būna „paprasti žmonės“ - kirpėjos, pardavėjos, keltų ir ligoninių darbuotojai, situacijos kasdieniškos, tik jas stebinti akis labai pastabi. Buitiakas sukuria neblogą atsvarą pačiam rašymo sudėtingumui, Hellės Hellės kūryboje įdomiai susilydo tai, kas elitiška ir kas liaudiška. Knyga parašyta naudojant vien esamąjį laiką (taip pat kalbant apie praeitį, yra LABAI keistų sakinių), iš pradžių galvojau, kad tai kiek pretenzinga, bet vis dėlto pasiteisino su kaupu - sukelia tokį nestabilumo jausmą, nes ir chronologija čia pamaišyta, be to, danų kalboje esamasis laikas naudojamas ir būsimajam perteikti.

Tai va tokia yra Helle Helle – atskleidžia meilę per gramatiką.

[Geir Tønnessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

En subtil roman som både er tragisk og morsom, lite forklares. Helle tvinger leseren til å lese mellom linjene. Teksten er mesterlig formulert, hele historien fortelles i presens, både nåtid og fortid. Etter å ha lest et titalls sider kom jeg inn i romanens rytme. I sidene som kommer blir den bare bedre og bedre.

[Tine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Så fin. Så sårbar. Skal nydes - gerne i mange små bidder, så den holder længst muligt.

[Aurelija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neskaičiau danu minimalizmo karalienės nuo universiteto laikų, gal čia toks studentiškas pasišiaušimas buvo.
Skalsu kalbos, bet buvau pamiršus, kiek daug jausmo toks rašymas sugeneruoja. Kai kam, neabejotinai, sugeneruos ir erzulio, nes skaityt reik tarp eilučių, rimti dalykai tarsi nugramzdinti kasdienybėj, o praeitis vyksta esamuoju laiku, kartais išvis rodos, kad viskas stovi vietoj (žiedin(ė)(io kopūsto) kompozicija).
Čia, beje, prisiminiau, kad autorė yra parašius romaną pavadinimu “Tai turėtų būti parašyta esamuoju laiku”, toks savotiškas išsipildymas.
Atrodo, kad kadaise smarkesni įspūdį paliko Rødby-Puttgarden, bet reikės dabar nestudentiškai pakartoti.

[Anna]

As fascinating as the narrative strategy is, the emotion remains sealed behind the technique. Maybe having been through a similar experience with my father is making me sensitive to this suspension. Of course, literature doesn’t owe us conversations that cannot happen. I don’t require breakdowns or dramatic scenes; anticipatory grief can take many forms. I see what the book is doing and I can tell an enormous amount is happening internally for the characters, but that’s me doing the work for the author. It’s almost as if the book is as impersonal as the illness that threatens the mother. It may even be an intended effect. However, intention and effect aren’t the same thing.

[Bent Silberbrandt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Det var et hårdt arbejde, men det lykkedes! Meget tomgang, Ligger mellem 1 og 2 stjerner, men runder op.

[Tora Torvund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utrolig fin bok!

[Lili Bammens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blij deze auteur ontdekt te hebben.
Op een heel bijzondere en subtiele manier vertelt zij over de speciale band tussen een moeder en een dochter.
Ik wil zeker nog ander werk van haar lezen.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faktisk bedre 2.gang jeg læser den. Hendes konsekvente brug af nutid, den cirkulære slutning, det er en genial roman.

[Marlies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gelezen in en onderweg van en naar Kopenhagen, dat was leuk. Niet zo mijn smaak maar wel mooi (kan dat?)

[isobel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit, I was drawn to this book because of the cover (a new cover with cool red font/cabbage), and then when I saw that it was a translated book (Danish), and set in a small island town in Denmark, focused on a mother-daughter relationship, + it was short, I was like okay sold.

I am giving this book 3 stars. These stars are from the unique and pointed writing style which is quick, and completely in present tense. At the beginning, I found this style tricky to get into, then, I found it quite interesting and helped the mood of the book come through.

The story, however, was quite boring, and there wasn't much emphasis on the mother/daughter, moreso on what the daughter got up to while her mother was sick. I also couldn't really keep track of additional characters, locations, etc., it almost read like poetry sometimes, with each (short) chapter switching around quite a lot.

It was a quick read and a nice change of style, though!

[Olivia Stepper · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5) Had so much potential but truly one of the worst translations I’ve ever read. Sweet slice of life of a young girl and her sick mom. They do crosswords together. Hard to glean any nuance because it was barely english.