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Leif Panduro (1923-1977) | |
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Danish dramatist and novelist, whose work combined satiric humor with pessimistic view of the world. Panduro gained in the 1960s and 1970s a central position in Danish literature. He often depicted young rebels and neurotics, who were in conflict with the established society. Panduro also wrote several scripts for television, radio, and film. "Den nat drømde Jacob to drømme. Den første kendte han igen. Han drømte Adrian drunknede ham i sin swimmingpool. I den anden elskede Jacob med pigen. Så dukkede Adrian pludselig op og ville have sin urin undersøgt. Derefter skete der en forverksling mellem pigen of Adrian. Jacob var meget forvirret da han vågnade." (from Den ubetænksomme elsker, 1973) Leif Panduro was born in Frederiksberg, near Copenhagen. His childhood was traumatic: his parents separated shortly after he was born and he spent times in children's home. When German occupied Denmark during World War II, Panduro supported the Resistance movement - his father sympathized the Nazis, and was killed. Panduro was trained as a dentist, finishing dental school in 1947. Two years later Panduro moved to Sweden, where he practiced dentistry until his return to Denmark in 1956. From 1965 he devoted himself entirely to writing. His last years Panduro spent in Fredriksværk on the island of Sjælland, where he led a very regular life. Once a week, on a certain day, he visited the local public library. With his wife Esther he bicycled on sunny afternoons to the beach and had a swim. Panduro died at the age of 53 on January 16, 1977, in Asserbo. Panduro made his literary debut with Historien om Ambrosius (1956), a radio play. His first novel, Av, min guldtand (1957), was partly autobiographical about a dentist - dentists appeared also in several other book. Rend mig i traditionerne (1958, Kick Me in the Traditions), a story about the difficulties of puberty, was written in the spirit of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. The protagonist in the humorous novel was a young boy who escapes from school. He is confined in a mental hospital due to his unyielding attitude towards the norms of society - he refuses to become "normalized." "Plan. Der er Brøns' standardudtryck. Se at få plan over jeres tilværelse, si'r han altid. Mennesket adskiller sig fra dyrene derved, at det kan planlægge. Det lyder da af noget!" (from Rend mig i traditionerne, 1958) De uanstændige (1960) was set during the years of German occupation of Denmark in World War II. In Øgledage (1961, saurian days), a monologue novel, Panduro used modernistic narrative technique. It is considered his most ambitious novel and again explored the psychological problems of youth. Saurians in the story represent repressed elements in society and in the individual. Panduro's later novels dealt with demands of conformity in the lives of middle-aged heroes. His protagonists, who have difficulties with their commitments, the outside world, and the younger generation,solve their personal crisis in different ways. Martin Fern, a forty-year-old man, loses his memory in Fern fra Danmark (1963) and refuses to accept the role he is offered. In Fejltagelsen (1964) the paranoid Marius Berg developes a severe hypochondria. Healthy friend Hilmer is too normal. In Den gale man Edvard Morner, a bank manager, rejects all human emotions. Daniel from Daniels anden verden (1970) finds salvation in the meeting with the young, schizophrenic Laila. Farvel, Thomas (1968) was a story of a man who loses his own identity when he is abandoned by his wife. In the 1970s Panduro was one of the most successful Scandinavian dramatist. His central themes were defects of the modern welfare state and the conflict between normal and abnormal. However, Panduro's approach to his subjects was not political - his dialogue suggested rather than clearly stated arguments. As a social critic Panduro often taunted norms generally shared by the audience. In I Adams verden (1973) and Louises hus (1974) Panduro attacked bourgeoisie world - these are considered among the best Scandinavian television dramas of the 1970s. Rundt om Selma (1971), Panduro's most pessimistic play, depicted the failure of the whole middle-class way of life. Panduro's only stage plays were produced in the early 1960s. Kufferten (The Suitcase) was influenced by Samuel Beckett and Kannibaler i Kaelderen (Cannibals in the Basement) by Eugène Ionesco. For further reading: Encyclopedia of World Literature in the 20th Century, vol. 3, ed. by Steven R. Serafin (1999); Leif Panduro: en biografi by John Chr. Jørgensen (1987); A History of Scandinavian Literature by Sven H. Rossel (1982); 'The King's New Clothes. The Irreverent Portrayal of Royalty in the Works of Leif Panduro and Finn Søeborg' by Hugus, Frank , in Scandinavian Studies, LI (1979); 20th Century Drama in Scandinavia, ed. by J. Wrede et al. (1978); Leif Panduro: romaner, noveller, journalistik by Birgitte Hesselaa (1976); Leif Panduro - radio, film, teater, TV by John Chr. Jørgensen (1973) Selected works:
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