Erlend Loe
Erlend Loe is a Norwegian novelist, screenwriter, and film critic who writes for both adult and children's audiences.
Born on 24 May 1969 in Trondheim, Loe attended Trondheim Cathedral School before pursuing further education at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts and the National Film School of Denmark. This varied academic background positioned him to work across several creative disciplines throughout his career.
In addition to his work as a novelist writing in the Norwegian language, Loe has worked as a journalist, a literary translator, and a screenwriter. His notable work Naïve. Super has drawn sustained attention among his output for adult readers. His career has been recognized with a number of awards, including the Aschehoug Prize, the Cappelen Prize, and the Norwegian Booksellers' Prize. He has also received the Trondheim Municipality Culture Award and the South Trøndelag County Culture Award, two honors that connect his work to the region where he was born and educated.
Loe's writing spans both adult literature and children's literature, a dual focus that runs as a consistent thread through his body of work.
Quotes by Erlend Loe
Erlend Loe's insights on:
I’ve been thinking about what you said yesterday, he says. About my unique qualities and talents and all that. You’re right. I am unique and talented. And you’re unique, too. We’re both unique. Everyone is unique. In a way, I say. But unique just means unique. It doesn’t mean good.
It was so nice and uncomplicated. When I wasn’t sleeping I ran around and was excited. I never walked. I ran.
Elevators are brilliant. I’m going to stand here a little longer. The good thing about riding in an elevator as a grown-up is that nobody questions my being in the elevator. Nobody suspects me of just riding the elevator. I look like I’m one of the others.
We’re born alone and we die alone. It’s just a question of getting used to both of them.
It’s good for me to see so many other people who are not me. That there are so many others. I feel affection for them. Most of them are doing the best they can. I am also doing the best I can.
I still don’t know if things fit together, or if everything will be all right in the end. But I believe that something means something. I believe in cleansing the soul through fun and games. I also believe in love. And I have several good friends, and just one bad one.
When the universe is ephemeral, one can easily feel that human existence is meaningless. Why should I do anything at all? On the other hand it is tempting to try and make the best of it. I’m here, anyway. The imagination won’t cope if I try to picture where I’d otherwise be.
I think I’m more concerned with things that are very big and things that are very small than with all the stuff in between.