Danish Authors Who Inspire Me

As a professional working in the localisation industry and a self-confessed language nerd, I am fascinated by foreign languages and by the art of translation, but I am also hugely fond of great writing in general. At the start of the year, one of my resolutions was to carve out more time to read for pleasure. As part of that journey I felt inspired to talk about some of my favourite writers in the Danish language. So, if you’re looking for something good to read or a fun new way to connect with Denmark or with Danish as a foreign language, read on below to learn a little about the writers that most inspire me.

Sissel-Jo Gazan

Sissel-Jo Gazan is probably my favourite Danish writer. Gazan is a Danish biologist and an author who first gained recognition in 2008 with the release of her book Dinosaurens fjer, or The Dinosaur Feather as it is known in English. In total, she has written around ten books and her work has been translated into sixteen different languages, including English, German, Polish and Japanese.

Given her scientific background, one of the defining features of her writing style is the way she so expertly blends scientific knowledge with thrilling narratives to create stories that are both intellectually stimulating and highly entertaining. But the reason I like her so much has less to do with this meeting of worlds and more with the sense of nostalgia that her writings evoke for me. I especially love Bl?khat (Ink Cap), which is set in Aarhus in the 1990s, because I lived in this city for about a decade around that time while studying at university.

The way she so evocatively captures the spirit of this time and place amazes me. When I read her fiction, it strikes me how truly astounding it is that tools as humble as words can make us feel physically transported back to a previous moment in our lives – when wielded expertly, of course.

Hanne-Vibeke Holst

Hanne-Vibeke Holst is another favourite writer of mine. Holst has a background as a journalist and she really brings this to bear on her work, writing stories of great intrigue often set in the world of politics and power. In many of her novels, she explores themes relating to gender roles and what it means to be a woman in the modern world. Her prose is clear and concise, and like Sissel-Jo Gazan, her books have also been translated into several languages, including German, Dutch and Swedish.

Probably my favourite book by Holst is Kronprinsessen (The Crown Princess). It follows the life of Charlotte Damgaard, a woman in her mid-thirties who is suddenly thrust into the political spotlight.?It has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the political landscape in Denmark, and I am sure it will also appeal to anybody who enjoyed Borgen – a popular Danish television drama also set in the murky world of domestic politics.

Leif Davidsen

Leif Davidsen is another excellent writer, especially if you enjoy stories of intrigue and espionage. Davidsen began his career as a journalist and was stationed in Moscow for four years towards the end of the Cold War, covering Soviet news for Danmarks Radio. His books often feature Danish characters in international settings, and his writing style is characterised by its?realism, political insight and suspenseful storytelling. He has a talent for creating intricate plots that delve into the complexities of international politics and intelligence gathering.

Perhaps one reason why I find myself particularly able to connect with Davidsen’s work is that several of his stories are set partly in Spain. His very first book was entitled Uhellige alliancer (The Sardine Deception) and it is set in the Spanish Basque Country shortly after Franco's death. My favourite, though, is Lime's?billede?(Lime's?Picture), which follows the story of a Danish paparazzo photographer who lives in Spain. The protagonist’s life is turned upside down after he captures a sensational photo of a top politician on a yacht with his Italian lover, and the action is set against a backdrop of contemporary Madrid and Copenhagen – two cities I know well, and which Davidsen describes so evocatively.

Helle Espensen

Finally, I must also mention Helle Espensen , a friend of mine and another Danish author with a strong connection to Spain. Her novel Calima was first written in Danish and then translated by the author herself for publication in Spanish. I read the book in Danish and I am now making my way through the Spanish version and finding it to be every bit as thrilling and intriguing as the original. Plus, as a translation nerd, it’s great to have the opportunity to read the same great story in two different languages and to consider the act of auto-translation, and how one author expresses things in two different languages.

The actual story of the novel itself shifts between Denmark and Spain and even takes us back to the city of Granada in the 15th century, specifically to the mighty Alhambra. It’s a fascinating narrative about two women from different historical periods who share connections and secrets. Not only is the novel highly entertaining, but it also delves into the human experience and explores those innate things that we all have in common, no matter where or when our lives are lived. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading.

The Power of Language

Looking back on the list, I can see that I enjoy reading about places I have lived and that I know first-hand. As a Dane who has lived abroad for several decades, I also recognise that I enjoy reading literature that reminds me of life back home and helps me to feel connected with that part of my identity. But above all, reflecting on these authors and what I love about them has reminded me just how powerful language can be.

It is easy to sometimes think of language merely as a means of communication, but it is so much more than that. Language can conjure up worlds or record those we know, taking feelings and sensations and transforming them into something tangible that we can share with others. It also speaks to our identity as individuals and our sense of belonging to a particular culture or country. And even if I’m not an excellent writer like the four in my list, I am still so glad that I get to work with languages in my day job and to wield their power every day.

If you live abroad, do you enjoy reading literature from your home country? And whether you’re Danish or not, have you ever read any literature from Denmark? Let me know in the comments – I’m curious to hear your thoughts and experiences! And if you decide to explore any of the writers mentioned yourself, all I can say is happy reading, and that I hope you enjoy their work as much as I have!