The Idea Of An Uncomplicated Life With A Man

Helle Helle

Original title: Forestillingen om et ukompliceret liv med en mann
Publisher: Samleren, Denmark, 2002
Genre: Novel

Susanne lives with Kim who wants to be a writer and hence spends his time at home writing. A friend of theirs, nine months pregnant, leaves her boyfriend and asks for help. The young couple let her move into their small flat – and everything i Bokfös turned upside down.

Foreign rights

Mandarin: China Radio Int. Press Zhangjuanping
German: Dörlemann
Dutch: Contact
Norwegian: Forlaget Oktober
Polish: Slowo/Obraz Terytoria
Swedish: Lindelöws Bokförlag

A through and through fascinating description of ordinary life which is never ordinary and of a woman who cannot find her placein it… An existential tale about being able to value life – about the small but exhausting frustration and certain people’s ability to simply exist and be present.”

Kristeligt Dagblad

A little masterpiece about three people’s intense relationship.

Jydske Vestkysten

With an unmatched brutality, Helle Helle kickstarts her new novel and in the following flashbacks, the messy reality hurts and heals.

Weekendavisen, Denmark

Helle Helle has written an excellent novel and with the utmost discretion relieves the banality of daily life.

Jyllands Posten, DEnmark

Helle Helle

Photo by Mikkel Carl

Helle Helle (b. 1965) is a graduate of the Danish Academy of Creative Writing and the author of a number of novels as well as two collections of short fiction. She is one of Scandinavia’s most original writers, with a career spanning three decades, from her debut Example of Life (1993) to her most recent novel, Hafni Says, published to rave reviews in 2023. Her books have been translated into 22 languages.