Copenhagen 1825 in the so-called Danish Golden Age.
Carl Otto is a physician and he is boss of the hospital in the Danish State Prison in Copenhagen. Although he is a scolar he thinks that one can learn almost everything about a persons skills and character by measuring its cranium. He is - in other words - the leading agitator in the country for the so-called science: phrenology. Scientifically he is of course wrong, and this he realises reluctantly, when he recieves a new patient in his hospital: a poor, drunken, lying and stealing peasant woman who has been covicted to death but pardoned.
The odd connection between the two persons from the most opposite parts of the society is about to ruin Carl Otto´s estime and social position and leads him into a deep crisis of conscience.
The novel consists of Carl Ottos diary notes alternating with stories of the poor criminal womans life from childhood to her death in the prison. The whole historical story is framed by a modern narrative explaining how Otto´s papers have been revealed.
Both Carl Otto and his counterpart Anne Andersdatter are true historical persons, and almost everything in the novel is based on research and evidence .
Genre: HISTORY / Social History
The novel was published - as paperbook and e-book - through Books on Demand and so far have more than 200 copies been sold, many to public libraries. In 2018 the novel was released as an audiobook (in Danish).
PROLOG
Den mørke skikkelse lukker forsigtigt og ganske stille døren bag sig. På den udendørs repos står den helt stille et øjeblik. Lytter i natten. Men alt er stille i den sovende by. Dagen før var varm som en rigtig sommerdag. Luften er stadig lun, selv om det er langt efter midnat.
Inde i den lille gård mellem de fireetagers huse rører der sig ikke en vind. Og øverst er der en lille firkant med udsigt til den lyse nattehimmel, hvor man knapt kan skelne en stjerne. I et hjørne af dette felt anes det øverste af Rundetårn. Vi befinder os i gården bag en ejendom på Lille Kiøbmagergade den 19. maj 1876.
Den krumbøjede skikkelse bevæger sig langsomt og usikkert ned ad svalegangens trappe. Den er iklædt en alt for stor, mørk kavaj med opslået krave. Hovedet er dækket af en sort hue, som er trukket langt ned i panden. I det blege lys anes et par hvide bakkenbarter og et hurtigt glimt fra et brilleglas. Uden på skikkelsens sko er der trukket et par sokker, der dæmper dens fodtrin. Ét forsigtigt trin ad gangen. Næsten uden en lyd, men dog en lille, stille knagen fra enkelte trappetrin. Det er tydeligt, at skikkelsen tilhører en gammel, hvidhåret og rundrygget mand.
I samme nu, han når gårdspladsen, lyder timeslaget fra Frue Kirke. Klokken er tre, og da sidste slag er døet hen, ligger byen igen stille hen.
Den formummede skikkelse bevæger sig hen over den lille gårdsplads. Under kavajen knuger han en pakke ind til kroppen. Da han har passeret retiraderne, løfter hans magre hånd slåen til staldporten.
| Language | Status |
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English
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Translation in progress.
Translated by Okeowo Oluwatoyin
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Norwegian
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Already translated.
Translated by Kirsten E. Male
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Author review: I am happy to give Kirsten Male my best recommendations. She works thoroughly and finishes on time. Besides it is a joy to communicate with her during the translations proces. |
