Realistic, minimalistic, and subtle are some of the words often associated with the works of Helle Helle. Since her debut on the literary scene in 1993, she has published several short story collections and novels. She was awarded the Danish Critics’ Prize for Rødby-Puttgarden (2005) and was shortlisted for the Nordic Council Literature Prize for Down to the dogs (2008).

This should be written in the present (2011) has been sold for publication in Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, and France.

The Danish Press wrote:

***** Not bloody romanticizing

Helle Helle’s new novel This should be written in the present shows a writer who definitely has something to ”write write” about and does it hilariously, lovingly and dead seriously. (…)

To be frank: This should be written in the present is a wonderful reading experience.

Mai Misfeldt, Berlingske Tidende

**** Helle Helle times two

Helle Helle is the unofficial Danish champion in the art of suggestion.

(…) Basic curiosity drives the reader, and Helle Helle plays her cards economically with a flair for maximum effect. The author rests in her style.

Erik Svendsen, Jyllands-Posten

Helle Helle is undoubtedly among the most talented writers in contemporary literature.

(….) Helle Helle’s new novel is by far more interesting than the majority of new literature.

Anders Juhl Rasmussen, Kristeligt Dagblad

“Yet another sleek and nonchalant masterpiece from Helle Helle”

(…) Of course there has been breaches of realism in her writing before, but this time Helle Helle is decidedly mischievous doing it. With her small meta hints, she puts out her tongue at the interpretive reader. Yes, she does. It is small and pointy, the tongue, but it’s there.

But that too is a quality. For of course This should be written in the present is an excellent novel, yet another sleek and nonchalant masterpiece from Helle Helle’s hand.

Tue Andersen Nexø, Information

****** Trapped in her own self

“How come one always reads Helle Helle’s books about the seemingly humdrum lives of lonely, sleepless women in the back of beyond with the kind of obsession one normally keeps for well-turned thrillers? Because that’s exactly how it is: the reader is drawn into them, at once lingering and hungering for more at each turn of the page – no matter their sparing use of plot as stimulant.”

“Much more than action, the novel describes a bell-jar state of numbness and restless passivity – and does so with Helle Helle’s familiar stylistic supremacy.”

Lasse Horne Kjældgaard, Politiken