The Copenhagen Trilogy

by Tove Ditlevsen; translated by Tiina Nunnally and Michael Favala Goldman
The Copenhagen Trilogy cover
Good Books rating 4.3
Technical:
  • ID: 700
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-19
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
The New York Times · Jennifer Szalai · 2021-01-26
remarkable 4.00

Szalai praises Ditlevsen's memoir for its vivid portrayal of her unconventional life and the struggles she faced. The writing is both amusing and painful, offering a unique perspective on her experiences.

Jennifer Szalai from The New York Times finds The Copenhagen Trilogy to be a remarkable and vivid account of Tove Ditlevsen's life. They appreciate the way Ditlevsen's writing captures both the amusing and painful aspects of her unconventional journey. Szalai highlights how the memoir provides a unique and intimate look into Ditlevsen's struggles with addiction, love, and her writing career. The reviewer also notes that the trilogy's honest and unfiltered portrayal of her life makes it a compelling and thought-provoking read. Overall, Szalai finds the book to be a powerful and memorable exploration of a complex and fascinating life.

Quick quotes

    Ditlevsen's memoir is a vivid and unflinching account of her unconventional life.

    The writing is both amusing and painful, offering a unique perspective on her experiences.

    The trilogy provides an intimate look into Ditlevsen's struggles with addiction, love, and her writing career.

Goodreads · 2020-01-01
intense 4.40

The trilogy is praised for its intensity and immersive depiction of complex female friendships and family dynamics. It is a deeply personal and engaging read.

Goodreads reviewers find The Copenhagen Trilogy to be a deeply personal and engaging read. They appreciate the intensity and immersive quality of Ditlevsen's writing, which beautifully captures the complexities of female friendships and family dynamics. The reviewers highlight how the trilogy provides a unique and deeply personal look into Ditlevsen's life, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read. They also note that the book's honest and unfiltered portrayal of her experiences makes it a memorable and impactful work. Overall, Goodreads reviewers find the trilogy to be a powerful and engaging exploration of a complex and fascinating life.

Quick quotes

    The trilogy is remarkable for its intensity and immersive depiction of a world of complex female friendships.

    It is a deeply personal and engaging read that captures the complexities of family dynamics.

    The honest and unfiltered portrayal of Ditlevsen's experiences makes it a memorable and impactful work.

The Guardian · Xan Brooks · 2019-10-16
powerful 4.50

The trilogy is a powerful exploration of Ditlevsen's life, filled with raw honesty and lyrical prose. It delves into themes of addiction, love, and the struggles of a writer.

Xan Brooks from The Guardian finds The Copenhagen Trilogy to be a deeply moving and intense read. They appreciate Ditlevsen's unflinching honesty and the lyrical quality of her writing, which brings her experiences to life. Brooks highlights how the trilogy beautifully captures the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of pursuing a creative life. The reviewer also notes that the book's raw and sometimes painful portrayal of addiction and personal struggles makes it a compelling and unforgettable read. Overall, Brooks finds the trilogy to be a masterful work that resonates on many levels.

Quick quotes

    Ditlevsen's prose is unflinching and lyrical, capturing the raw emotions of her experiences.

    The trilogy is a powerful exploration of addiction, love, and the struggles of a writer.

    Ditlevsen's honesty is both brutal and beautiful, making her work deeply moving.

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