Louis Jensen
![](../I/m/Louis_Jensen_in_Decorah_IA_November_2008.jpg)
Louis Jensen (born 19 July 1943) is a Danish author who is an innovator in the international literary trends of flash fiction, metafiction, prose poetry, and magical realism.[1][2][3] While he has published more than 70 books for both adults and children, he is best known for his children's books, which include picture books, short stories, flash fiction, creative nonfiction and novels.[4] His work is characterized by wordplay and playful experiments in form and structure, which have led critics to draw comparisons to Borges, Calvino, Gogol, and the poetry of the Oulipo movement.[5][6] His work is also rooted in the fairy tale and folk tale tradition, and is deeply influenced by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen.[7]
In 1992, Jensen embarked on his "Square Story" project, to write 1001 very short stories, each in the shape of a square. In 2014 he published his ninth volume of 100 stories; he plans to publish a tenth volume of 100 stories, and an eleventh volume with a single, final story.[8] This work in progress has been called "one of the most radical literary projects in all of Danish literature," [9] and the square stories have found an enthusiastic audience among adult readers as well as children.[10][11]
Jensen has received multiple awards and prizes. He has been nominated several times for both of the most prestigious international awards in children's literature, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award[12] and the Hans Christian Andersen Award. In 2010, he made the short list (5 authors, nominated from 34 countries) for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.[13] In 2002, he was chosen by the Danish National Art Foundation to be included on the roster of 275 Danish artists who are awarded an annual stipend for their lifelong contributions to the arts and culture of Denmark.[14] In 2014, he was nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People's Literature Prize for his eighth collection of square stories, published in 2012. The Nordic Council praised the "humour and seriousness" of Jensen's work, suggesting that his stories have "brought greetings from Hans Christian Andersen, Lewis Carroll and E. T. A. Hoffman and other great poets to all the children and adults who just wanted to read along."[15]
Life
Louis Jensen was born in Nibe, Denmark close to the Limfjord in northern Jutland. He describes his mother's life in the biographically based book, "En historie om seks søstre" ("A story of six sisters," Gyldendal, 2009).[16] His family moved from Nibe to Beder, south of Aarhus, when he was 12. The move was painful for Jensen; he missed his friends and he longed for the woods and waters of his childhood home.[17] Memories of his childhood in Nibe are found in many of his works, including his 2014 collection of short prose pieces, "Elefanterne holdt hver gang med Tarzan" ("The elephants always sided with Tarzan"), which "turns the story of Jensen's childhood into mystic stuff, into literature."[18] As a young man, Jensen studied to be an architect, with a specialty in urban planning, and he worked as an architect and city planner for a private firm next to the Aarhus townhall.[19] He published his first poem in 1970 in the literary magazine "Hvedekorn," and his first book of poetry in 1972.[20] His first novel for young readers, "Krystalmanden" (The Crystal Man), was published in 1986. Since 1992, he has worked full time as an author.[21] He lives in Aarhus, Denmark, with his wife, the painter Elisabeth Wegger. They have three grown children, and several grandchildren.
Works
Square Story Project
- Hundrede historier (A Hundred Stories). Gyldendal, 1992.
- Hundrede nye historier (A Hundred New Stories). Gyldendal, 1995.
- Hundrede splinternye historier (A Hundred Totally New Stories). Gyldendal, 2000.
- Hundrede firkantede historier (A Hundred Square Stories). Gyldendal, 2002.
- Hundrede meget firkantede historier (A Hundred Very Square Stories). Gyldendal, 2005.
- Hundrede helt & aldeles firkantede historier (A Hundred Altogether and Completely Square Stories). Gyldendal, 2007.
- Hallo!: flere hundrede historier (Hello! A Hundred More Stories). Gyldendal, 2009.
- Halli! hallo! så er der nye firkantede historier (Hello hello! Here's a Hundred New Square Stories). Gyldendal, 2012.
- Hurra og velkommen! Nye firkanter (Hooray and You're Welcome! New Squares). Gyldendal, 2014.
Children's and young adult books
- Krystalmanden (The crystal man). Gyldendal, 1986.
- Tusindfuglen (A thousand birds). Gyldendal, 1987.
- Hjerterejsen (The heart's journey). Gyldendal, 1988.
- Drageflyverne og syv andre historier (Hang gliders and seven other stories). Gyldendal, 1988.
- Det grønne spor (The green path). Gyldendal, 1989.
- Karl Kluges dobbelte skattejagt (Karl Kluge's double treasure hunt). Gyldendal, 1990.
- Plus-Four og Katten-Skatten (Plus-Four and Katten-Skatten). Gyldendal, 1991
- Skelettet på hjul (The skeleton on wheels). Gyldendal, 1992
- Den fortryllede by (The enchanted town). Gyldendal, 1993
- Karl Kluge og Ondskaben (Karl Kluge and evil). Gyldendal , 1994.
- Nøgen (Naked). Gyldendal, 1995.
- Et hus er et ansigt – en bog for børn om arkitektur (A house is a face: a book about architecture for children). Gyldendal, 1998.
- Den kløvede mand (The cloven man). Gyldendal, 1999.
- Den strandede mand – tolv fortællinger om havet og hjertet (The man on the beach: twelve stories of the sea and the heart). Høst & Søn, 2000.
- Den frygtelige hånd (The frightful hand). Høst & Søn, 2001.
- Tinhjerte og ællingefjer: en bog om H.C. Andersen (Tin heart and duckling feathers: a book about H C Andersen). Høst & Søn, 2004.
- En historie om seks søstre (A story of six sisters). Gyldendal, 2009.
- Stygge streger: en kunstbog for børn (Ugly lines: an art book for children). Klematis, 2009.
- 2 kroner og 25 øre (2 crowns and 25 cents), Gyldendal, 2010.
- Kejserinden (The empress). Replikant, 2011.
- Rejsen til Gud (The journey to God). Gyldendal, 2011.
- Rejsen til min far (The journey to my father). Gyldendal, 2012.
- L.I.V. - en historie om forelskelse (LIV—a story about love). Gyldendal, 2013.
- Kong Knap og bamsens forsvundne øje (King Knap, and the teddy bear's lost eye). Gyldendal , 2013.
- Tre venner (Three friends). Gyldendal, 2013. Illustrated by Hanne Bartholin.
- Elefanterne holdt hver gang med Tarzan: en bog om drenge (The elephants always sided with Tarzan: a book about boys). Gyldendal, 2014.
Picture books
- Zoofabetet (Zoophabet). Alinea, 1996.
- Hjalmars nye hat (Hjalmar's new hat). Gyldendal, 1997.
- Hendes Kongelige Højhed Museprinsessen (Her Royal Highness the Princess Mouse). Gyldendal, 1998.
- De bortblæste bogstaver (The blown away alphabet). Gyldendal, 2001.
- Byen hvor husene bytter plads (The town where the houses switched places). Høst & Søn, 2001.
- Luis og sølvmønten (Luis and the silver coin). Danida, 2002.
- Bogstavskolen (The alphabet school). Gyldendal, 2002.
- Den vrangvendte bamse (The inside-out teddy bear). Høst & Søn, 2002.
- Månebåden (The moonboat). Danida, 2003.
- Hør her stær! (Listen up, bird!) Høst & Søn, 2004.
- Den meget tørstige mor (The very thirsty mother). Høst & Søn, 2005.
- Bent og den kinesiske kasse (Bent and the Chinese Box). Gyldendal, 2007.
- Tork og Hest (Tork and Horse). Alfa, 2012.
- Emma og bogstaverne (Emma and the alphabet). Gyldendal, 2012.
- Tork og Hest - Den store blyant (Tork and Horse—The big pencil). Jensen & Dalgaard, 2014.
- Tork og Hest - på nye eventyr (The new adventures of Tork and Horse). Jensen & Dalgaard, 2015.
Easy Readers
- Blå kong serie (The blue king series): Dansklærerforeningen Forlag, 2001
- Flyveren (The flyers)
- Skoven (The woods)
- Dukken (The doll)
- Bålet (The fire)
- Havet (The sea)
- Drengen og kufferten serie [The boy and the suitcase series]: Dansklærerforeningen Forlag, 2001
- Drengen og den brune kuffert (The boy and the brown suitcase)
- Drengen og den sorte kuffert (The boy and the black suitcase)
- Drengen og den blå kuffert (The boy and the blue suitcase)
- Drengen og den gule kuffert (The boy and the yellow suitcase)
- Drengen og den hvide kuffert (The boy and the white suitcase)
- Engang var der serie (Once upon a time series): Dansklærerforeningen Forlag, 2002
- Kvi-vit (Tweet tweet)
- Sji-sju (Drip drop)
- Muuh (Mooo)
- Blob (Plop)
- Råb-råb (Hey hey)
- Danskfidusen serie (Danish easy readers series): Dansklærerforeningen Forlag, 2002
- Jeg har en næse (I have a nose)
- Jeg har en mund (I have a mouth)
- Jeg har to øjne (I have two eyes)
- Jeg har hår på hovedet (I have hair on my head)
- Jeg har to fødder (I have two feet)
Poetry collections for adults
- Bremsen i bund (Pushing the brakes). Jorinde & Joringel, 1972.
- Ich weiss nicht was soll ich bedeuten (I don't know what I mean). Jorinde & Joringel, 1974.
- Den århusianske hund (The dog from Aarhus). Jorinde & Joringel, 1974.
- Den århusianske hund II (The dog from Aarhus II). Jorinde & Joringel, 1975.
- Jensen, Louis, Gorm Rasmussen og Torben Schultz: Digtstafet, 1975.
- Det er Dig, Baby (It's you, baby). Jorinde & Joringel, 1978.
- 25 digte (25 poems). Jorinde & Joringel, 1978.
- Aben og månen (The monkey and the moon). Jorinde & Joringel, 1980.
Novels and short prose collections for adults
- At læne sin kind mod verden (To lean one's cheek upon the world). Gyldendal, 1991.
- Men i lyset hende (However, in light of her). Gyldendal, 1992.
- Opfyldelse (Fulfillment). Gyldendal, 1993.
- Det øverste af en længsel (The height of longing). Gyldendal, 1994.
- Alma. Gyldendal 2003.
- Skomagerbakken (Shoemaker Hill). Gyldendal, 2006.
- At skrive på hjertets sider (To write on the heart's pages). Gyldendal, 2009.
- Elefanterne holdt hver gang med Tarzan: en bog om drenge (The elephants always sided with Tarzan: a book about boys). Gyldendal, 2014.
Translations
- Three Square Stories. Translated by Lise Kildegaard. Translation: A Translation Studies Journal. Vol. 2, Fall 2007.
- Five Square Stories. Translated by Lise Kildegaard. Iowa Review, Volume 42, Issue 1. Spring 2012.
Adaptations
![](../I/m/Louis_Jensen_with_the_cast_of_Square_Stories_at_Luther_College.jpg)
Jensen's Square Stories have been adapted into several theater productions, including
- "100 Historier--og en til." Script adaptation and directed by Marc van der Velden. Theater Corona la Balance, Copenhagen. 2008, 2009.
- "Mak-værk." Script adaptation by Tina Andersen and Bjarne Sandborg. Directed by Bjarne Sandborg. Teater Refleksion, Aarhus. 2008.
- "Square Stories." Script adaptation by Lise Kildegaard and Robert Larson. Directed by Robert Larson. Luther College, Decorah IA. 2008.
Awards and honors
- Statens Kunstfond Produktionspræmie (Danish National Art Foundation Prize), 1991 and 1995.
- Nordisk Skolebibliotekarforenings Børnebogspris (Nordic Children's Book Prize), 1996.
- Dansk Forfatterforenings H.C. Andersen Legat (H.C. Andersen Stipend), 1998.
- Statens Kunstfond Livsvarig ydelse (Danish National Art Foundation Lifelong Stipend), 2002-presesnt.
- Gyldendals Store Børnebogspris (Gyldendal's Major Children's Book Prize), 2009.
- Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award: nominated 8 times in the 12 years of the award.
- Hans Christian Andersen Award: nominated several times, short list 2010.
- Nordisk Råds børne- og ungdomslitteraturpris (Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize) nominated, 2014 for Halli! hallo! så er der nye firkantede historier [Hello hello! Here's a Hundred New Square Stories], Gyldendal, 2012.[22]
References
- ↑ Rasmussen, Line Beck (2008). "Playing with language and literature: Louis Jensen's 1001 stories". Bookbird 46 (3): 30–36.
- ↑ Sorensen, Henning Mørch (February 17, 2012). "Hjertets ambassadør". Information. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ Larsen, Steffen (November 18, 2010). "Prisbelønnet børnebogsforfatter rammer efter plet". Politiken. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ Löfström, Kamilla (May 14, 2009). "Op al den ting, som historier kan gøre". Information. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ Jensen, Louis (April 2009). "Square Stories". Skolebiblioteket 37 (3): 14.
- ↑ Rasmussen, Line Beck (2008). "Playing with language and literature: Louis Jensen's 1001 stories". Bookbird 46 (3): 33.
- ↑ Rasmussen, Line Beck (2008). "Playing with language and literature: Louis Jensen's 1001 stories". Bookbird 46 (3): 32.
- ↑ Finderup, Rikke; Ipsen, Max (April 2006). "1001 firkanter--om Louis Jensens firkantede historier". Passage 20 (52): 61.
- ↑ Finderup, Rikke; Ipsen, Max (April 2005). "1001 firkanter--om Louis Jensens firkantede historier". Passage 20 (52): 61. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ Beckett, Sandra L. (2008). Crossover Fiction: Global and Historical Perspectives. New York: Routledge. p. 54. ISBN 0415879361.
- ↑ Larsen, Lauge. "It's hip to be square: Louis Jensen 100 Meget Firkantede Historier". Litteratur.nu. Statens Kunstråd: Danish Arts Council. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ "Candidates". Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ "2010 Hans Christian Andersen Awards Shortlist". IBBY: International Board on Books for Young People. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ "Modtagere af hædersydelse". kunst.dk. Statens Kunstfond. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ↑ "Nordic Council". Nordic Council Children and Young People's Literature Prize: Louis Jensen and Lilian Brøgger. Norden: Nordic Council. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ↑ Pedersen, Linda Vinding. "Louis Jensen: En historie om seks søstre (2009)". Rudersdal Bibliotekerne. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ↑ Rasmussen, Anita Brask (June 6, 2014). "Drengen skaber verden". Information. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ Rasmussen, Anita Brask (June 6, 2014). "Drengen skaber verden". Information. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ Jakobsen, Gunnar (1997). Forfatterskaber: Louis Jensen. Denmark: Gyldendal. p. 15. ISBN 87-00-30338-0.
- ↑ "Louis Jensen". litteratursiden.dk.
- ↑ Jakobsen, Gunnar (1997). Forfatterskaber: Louis Jensen. Denmark: Gyldendal. p. 15. ISBN 87-00-30338-0.
- ↑ "Nordic Council Children's and Young People's Literature Prize 2014". Norden. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
Further reading
- 365TEKSTER is an ongoing art and literature project in Aarhus, Denmark; it is part of Aarhus being designated a European Capital of Culture for the year 2017. The project began with an installation of 365 of Jensen's Square Stories in the Godsbanen art space. See (in Danish) http://365tekster.dk/ and https://www.youtube.com/user/365tekster/feed
- Finderup, Rikke and Max Ibsen. "1001 Firkanter--om Louis Jensens firkantede historier." Passage: tidskrift for litteratur og kritik, Nr. 52, 2005. http://ojs.statsbiblioteket.dk/index.php/passage/article/view/1413/1296
- Jakobsen, Gunnar. Forfatterskaber: Louis Jensen. Gyldendal, 1997.
- Jensen, Louis. "Square Stories." Skolebiblioteket. Vol 37, No. 3, April, 2009.
- Jensen, Louis. "From Five Square Stories." Translated by Lise Kildegaard. Iowa Review, Vol. 42, No. 1. Spring, 2012. http://www.iowareview.org/from-the-issue/volume-42-issue-1-%E2%80%94-spring-2012/five-square-stories
- Kolar, Bob. "Square Stories." Blogpost. Sample illustrations for square stories (in English). http://whoop-dee-do.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=13
- Madsen, Monica. “The Wondrous Beauty of Life: an interview with Louis Jensen.” Scandinavian Public Library Quarterly; Volume 37, Number 1, 2004. Online at http://slq.nu/?article=the-wondrous-beauty-of-life
- May, Trine. Louis Jensen--en fantastisk fortæller. Gyldendal Udannelse, 2008.
- Rasmussen, Line Beck. "Playing with Language and Literature: Louis Jensen's 1001 Stories." Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature. Volume 46, Number 3. 2008. pp. 30–36. http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/bkb/summary/v046/46.3.rasmussen.html
- "Spectacular Square Stories from Louis Jensen." Boston Translation: blogpost. Monday, July 30, 2012. http://bostontranslation.blogspot.com/2012/07/spectacular-square-stories-from-louis.html
- "Square Stories." Conversations by Luther College: podcast. Lise Kildegaard and Louis Jensen discuss the Square Story Project (in English). https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/conversations-conversations/id407054074?mt=10
- Teater Refleksion: a clip from the 2008 production "Mak-værk." In Danish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q10Ld_8nP2w