Summary of This Should Be Written in the Present Tense
Dorte is a student at the University of Copenhagen. She should be studying, but she isn’t. She shouldn’t be sleeping with her neighbour, but she is. She leaves Copenhagen and moves to Glumsø, a small town in the Danish province of Zealand. Along the way, she has random encounters with various side characters and visits her aunt, her only emotional anchor, who runs the local smørrebrød (sandwich) shop.
Reasons to read This Should Be Written in the Present Tense
“This Should Be Written in the Present Tense” is a quiet, intimate, and tender novel about a young woman adrift in the world. Don’t expect an elaborate plot or thrilling events. The beauty of this novel lies in its sparse and sober writing style, with much being conveyed between the lines. Helle Helle is one of the most celebrated contemporary Danish writers, having won the Danish Golden Laurel (De Gyldne Laurbær), the Danish Critics’ Prize (Kritikerprisen), the P.O. Enquist Prize, and a Lifetime Award from the Danish Arts Council.
Setting: Copenhagen & Glumsø, Zealand (Denmark)
Original title: Dette burde skrives i nutid
Year of publication: 2011
Nr of pages: 192
