Jens Christian Grøndahl is celebrated as one of Europe's most widely read contemporary authors, known for his masterful exploration of human psychology and intricate relationships. His diverse body of work includes plays, essays, and novels, each demonstrating a keen insight into the inner lives of his characters. Grøndahl's prose is both sophisticated and accessible, drawing readers into profound reflections on the complexities of existence. He is recognized for his distinctive literary voice that resonates deeply with a broad European audience.
In Danish novelist Grøndahl's stunning latest, a recently widowed 70-year-old woman reexamines her life and past decisions . . . A compassionate and often edifying commentary on the elasticity of love, the strength it takes to move forward after a death, and the power of forgiveness. Publishers Weekly, starred review
It is 1942 and Denmark is occupied by German troops. A young woman is invited to spend the summer with people she barely knows in a cottage on the North Sea coast. There she meets two people who will affect her entire life: a fourteen- year-old boy who is the nephew of her hosts, and an English airman who is shot down over the marshlands nearby.
Lucca Montale, a 32-year-old Danish actress, is rushed into hospital after a motor accident. Grondahl masterfully deploys a dual narrative, switching with astounding insight between the stories that the two protagonists relate to each other.