This Should Be Written in the Present Tense

Helle Helle is a star in her native Denmark but hasn’t been translated into English until now – on this evidence she’s worth the wait

Anthony Cummins, Metro

Helle Helle is a beautiful stylist. This Should Be Written in the Present Tense has an atmosphere that is deeply mysterious whilst staying entirely naturalistic – reminiscent of some of the less far out works of Marguerite Duras or Anna Kavan

Mark Diston, Register

It would be easy to dismiss this as a novel where nothing happens. Yet anyone can relate to Dorte’s purposelessness: "I didn’t know what to do with myself, or how to go on." Ultimately, though, it’s a hopeful story: a reminder that it’s never too late to change

We Love This Book

I found myself utterly mesmerised by this little novel about the seemingly commonplace. It’s stark minimalism is beguiling

Booklover

A beautiful evocation of the reckless naïveté of the early years of adulthood. [Helle Helle's] pared back style gives the novel a haunting quality, exquisitely reflecting the detachment and doubts of the protagonist's life. […] This is a highly recommended introduction to the work of a talented new name on the European literary scene

Book Trust

There is so much in this book, so much hinted at and alluded to. So much going on off-screen. [...] One of the literary finds of the year

Bookmunch

A book with all the bigness hidden away

John Self, Guardian

Helle Helle’s simple, to-the-point prose cuts to the quick…it’s refreshing to find such an intimate book that leaves something for the reader to writer in their own mind…This Should be Written in the Present Tense is a contemporary classic in the making

Emma Nicklin, Stylist

Compelling

Emerald Street

A curious and compelling read

Jessica Croome, Curious Animal Magazine

An odd but intriguing piece of work

Gill Oliver, UK Press Syndication

Helle Helle is a real talent and This Should be Written in the Present Tense is one of the literary finds of the year

Benjamin Judge, Bookmunch

Very arty, and strangely uplifting

Evening Standard

Helle has enchanting gifts as a storyteller... This Should Be Written in the Present Tense possesses an immediacy that tenderly and consistently compels.

New York Times Book Review

This Should Be Written in the Present Tense may sound like just another bildungsroman, but it’s surprisingly devoid of ego, and deeply thoughtful

Paris Review

Some pieces of literature, no matter how great an effort you make as a critic, cannot be opened or captured in a way that does justice to the work. That’s how I feel about Helle Helle’s new and unusually precious novel... Most of the sentences are small works of art, containing a whole story in themselves

Weekendavisen

This Should be Written in the Present Tense is an excellent novel, yet another sleek and nonchalant masterpiece from Helle Helle

Information

Helle Helle has written a captivating novel about Dorte Hansen, who sleepwalks through life, letting chance rule

Politiken

Hilarious, loving and deadly serious

Berlingske Tidende