The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen

Wednesday, Mar. 23, 2022--San Antonio

The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen is a compiled suite released last year of three memoirs written and published separately in the late 60s and early 70s.  She was a woman who grew up in a lower class section of Copenhagen and never quite fit in under any circumstances--as a member of her family, as a student in school, as a friend with others her age, as a sexual partner with the men in her life, or as a mother.  She often settled for less in life than most would, and she eventually dealt with severe drug addiction.  But she was a successful author when her life did not interfere with her writing.  And the writing is so simple and clear and honest in expressing the various situations within periods of her life.  I found myself fascinated while being disappointed due to so many poor decisions she kept making.  The fact that I know the neighborhoods where she lived, shopped, and partied made it more personal for me to read.  I did find one very bad mistake made by the translator.  Danes have a potato and grain vodka with flavorings (often caraway and other herbs) that is drunk as a part of dining and partying; it's actual name is aquavit, but its slang name is "snaps."  Unfortunately, the translator changed it schnapps, the word used in English for sweet alcoholic drinks which are popular.  However, Danish snaps is far from sweet and is very strong.  The book is very well written, and I gave it a rating of 4 1/2 stars out of 5.