André Bjerke

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Jarl André Bjerke was a Norwegian writer and poet. He was born January 30, 1918 in Oslo, and died in 1985. His father was the author Ejlert Bjerke, and his mother Karin Bjerke (née Svensson). His cousin was the well-known author Jens Bjørneboe. His debut was in 1940 with a collection of poems, Syngende Jord (Singing Earth). He has written a wide range of material: poems (both for children and adults), mystery novels (under the pseudonym Bernhard Borge), essays, and articles. He was known as a master translator, and translated works by Shakespeare, Moliere, Goethe, Racine, etc. into elegant Norwegian.

His mystery novels, among the best of the genre in Norwegian, are influenced by his interest in psychoanalysis. His first mystery novel, Nattmennesket ("Night person") was published in 1941, followed by his masterpiece De dødes tjern ("Lake of the Dead") in 1942. "Lake of the Dead" was made into a film in 1958, directed by Kåre Bergstrøm. Bjerke himself starred in the film. Other mystery novels include "Døde menn går i land" ("Dead Men Come Ashore") in 1947, and "Skjult Mønster" ("Hidden Pattern") in 1950.

He was the co-host of the television show I grenseland ("In the borderland") in 1973. This was the first television show dedicated to investigating paranormal phenomena.

André Bjerke was an excellent chess player, and has written several essays about the history and culture of chess.

After a debilitating stroke in 1981, he was bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

His daugter, Vilde, wrote a book about her father, Du visste om et land ("You knew of a country") in 2002.