Helle Helle is a pseudonym for Danish author Helle Olsen. The writer’s pen is the author of many novels and short stories. Her work has received recognition both among readers around the world, and among critics.
Biography
Helle Olsen was born December 14, 1965 in a small town in the south of Denmark - Nakskov, on the west coast of the island of Lolland. From 1985 to 1987, Helle was educated at the University of Copenhagen, which is one of the oldest higher educational institutions. It was founded in 1479 by King Christian I. himself. Then the future writer studied at the Literary School in Copenhagen from 1989 to 1991. From 1990 to 1995, she worked on Danish Radio.
Creation
Helle Helle's first book, An Example for Life, was published in 1993. This is a collection of short stories about the lives of ordinary people. But the author does not just reveal the life of the characters to someone else’s eyes, but as if describes the history of mental illness. The style of short stories is surreal, full of mysteries and hidden meaning. Helle Helle's presentation is minimalistic and rather primitive, but it has rich descriptions and Danish humor.
The following collection of short stories was released in 1996 under the title “Remains”. It includes stories such as:
- "Pheasants";
- “Two kilometers”;
- “At some point in the spring”;
- "Chair for a while";
- “It may be grass”;
- "Road maps."
Helle Helle again masterfully creates a special space in his stories that surrounds the reader and makes him read every word and look for special meaning in concise phrases. Also in the collection you can find the stories “Remains”, “Films”, “Mobile”, “Sunday 15:10”, “A cheerful young couple” and “Nothing new”.
The novel "Home and Homeland" was released in 1999. In its story, the main character Anna returns from Copenhagen to her native provincial city, where she spent her childhood. She buys a house and waits for her boyfriend to arrive. Critics praised this novel in a realistic style that describes every day the character's expectations and adaptations.
In 2000, from the pen of Helle Helle, a new collection of short stories “Machines and Animals” was released. Discover his stories:
- “More coffee?”;
- "Collection";
- "Own system."
The book also includes the works “Leak”, “My aunt died”, “There are no more mustard fields in Denmark”, “Sylting”, “Movers”, “Hedebelge”, “Talking about the settlement”, “A short trip”, “Tuesday evening ", " My work ", " Friendly stranger "and" I am going forward. " These impulsive stories can interest the reader in someone else's fate and even confuse a little.
In 2002, the next novel by a Danish writer was released - "The idea of a carefree life with one man." In his story, a couple - Suzanne and Kim - let their pregnant girlfriend into her small apartment, who broke up with the guy. After that, their life is turned upside down. The book is easy to read, while the plot is pretty deep. The novel Helle Helle combines a fascinating narrative with the drama of life and death. “The idea of a carefree life with one man” brings a strange alarming mood, although it talks about ordinary, banal things and situations.
The next novel, entitled “Redby-Puttgarden, ” was released in 2005. It is about the sisters Jane and Tyne, who work on a ferry from Danish Redby to German Puttgarden. The story is about men who come and go from their lives, about their relationship with their mother. Again, critics point out the stunning simplicity of Helle Helle's novel, the ability to emphasize a minimalist narrative. For her unusual style, she was called the "improved female version of Hemingway."
The 2008 novel “To hell with the dog” was again received with enthusiasm. He was called exciting, accumulating emotions, real and shameless pleasure of the reader. After 3 years, the novel “This needs to be rewritten in the present tense” appears. He talks about a girl who travels to Copenhagen every day by train. Her parents think that she is studying at the university, but in fact she spends time at the station and on the streets of the city. The girl is trying to write, but so far unsuccessfully. The novel is recognized as brilliant, amazing, convincing. Critics used phrases such as “sloppy masterpiece” and “pure reading pleasure”.
The book "If So" was published in 2014. Its action takes place in the forests of Jutland. The book is called classic, intoxicating, tender, strong and deep. The 2018 novel “They, ” describes the relationship between mother and daughter. The story told by Hella makes you cry and laugh, empathize with the heroes, find meaning in each phrase and succumb to the volatile mood of the story.
