Finn Havrevold
Encyclopedia
Finn Havrevold was a Norwegian novel
ist, short story
writer, children's writer
, playwright
, illustrator and theatre critic.
as the son of wholesaler Lauritz Paulsen Havrevold and Marta Malena Nielsen. He was a brother of actor Olafr Havrevold
and psychiatrist Odd Havrevold
. He was married to journalist Gunvor Øwre.
, graduating from the Norwegian Institute of Technology
in 1929. In the 1930s he worked as a freelance book illustrator. He made his literary debut in 1939 with the short story collection Det raker ikke Andersen, about juvenile loneliness and uncertainty. His novel Til de dristige from 1946 describes a war hero who lost his girlfriend to his brother during the war. In 1947 he published the novel Walter den fredsommelige, followed by Skredet from 1949. In the 1950s he wrote radio critics for the newspaper Dagbladet
, and theatre critics for the magazine Urd
. Havrevold's first book for children was Sommereventyret from 1952, about the tough girl "Tine" and the sissy "Jan". Drømmeveggen from 1953 pictures how "Mia"'s daydreams interfere with her daily activities. Den ensomme kriger from 1955 is about "Edvard" who's playing roles become a bit too realistic, for instance when he is a pirate leader or detective. In Marens lille ugle
from 1957, "Maren" has a small toy owl who needs comfort every time Maren is scared. The book was adapted into a film by Ivo Caprino
, called Ugler i mosen.
Havrevold's first play was the comedy Jubileum from 1951. His play Uretten premiered at Nationaltheatret
in January 1955, staged by Agnes Mowinckel
. The heroin character "Helle", played by Liv Strømsted is surrounded by three miserable men. The play resulted in a fierce debate on women's rights. The play Tomannsboligen was staged at Nationaltheatret in February 1960. The setting is two very different married couples sharing a duplex house. He wrote several audio plays for Radioteatret
. His play Gruppen from 1968 was staged at Oslo Nye Teater
. Havrevold published the misanthropic novel Den ytterste dag in 1963, the novel De gjenstridige in 1965, and the modernist novel Blå rytter in 1968. From 1977 to 1980 he wrote a series of autobiographical books.
He was awarded the Mads Wiel Nygaards Endowment
in 1972.
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
ist, short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
writer, children's writer
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
, playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, illustrator and theatre critic.
Personal life
Havrevold was born in KristianiaOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
as the son of wholesaler Lauritz Paulsen Havrevold and Marta Malena Nielsen. He was a brother of actor Olafr Havrevold
Olafr Havrevold
Olafr Havrevold was a Norwegian engineer and actor. He was a brother of writer Finn Havrevold and psychiatrist Odd Havrevold. He made his stage debut at Intimteatret in 1922, and worked for Nationaltheatret from 1923 to 1965. He also played for Radioteatret and Fjernsynsteatret. He was decorated...
and psychiatrist Odd Havrevold
Odd Havrevold
Odd Havrevold was a Norwegian physician and psychiatrist. He was a brother of writer Finn Havrevold and actor Olafr Havrevold. He belonged to the first generation of Norwegian psychoanalysts, and became known internationally through his cooperation with Reich and Fenichel...
. He was married to journalist Gunvor Øwre.
Career
Havrevold was educated as architectArchitect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, graduating from the Norwegian Institute of Technology
Norwegian Institute of Technology
The Norwegian Institute of Technology, known by its Norwegian abbrevation NTH was a science institute in Trondheim, Norway. It was established in 1910, and existed as an independent technical university for 85 years, after which it was merged into the University of Trondheim as an independent...
in 1929. In the 1930s he worked as a freelance book illustrator. He made his literary debut in 1939 with the short story collection Det raker ikke Andersen, about juvenile loneliness and uncertainty. His novel Til de dristige from 1946 describes a war hero who lost his girlfriend to his brother during the war. In 1947 he published the novel Walter den fredsommelige, followed by Skredet from 1949. In the 1950s he wrote radio critics for the newspaper Dagbladet
Dagbladet
Dagbladet is Norway's second largest tabloid newspaper, and the third largest newspaper overall with a circulation of 105,255 copies in 2009, 18,128 papers less than in 2008. The editor in chief is Lars Helle....
, and theatre critics for the magazine Urd
Urd (magazine)
Urd was a Norwegian women's magazine that existed from 1897 to 1958.It was named after Urðr, a guardian of the Yggdrasil in Norse mythology. It was founded by sisters Cecilie and Anna Bøe, and Anna was the editor-in-chief until 1933, whereas Cecilie had responsibility for finance...
. Havrevold's first book for children was Sommereventyret from 1952, about the tough girl "Tine" and the sissy "Jan". Drømmeveggen from 1953 pictures how "Mia"'s daydreams interfere with her daily activities. Den ensomme kriger from 1955 is about "Edvard" who's playing roles become a bit too realistic, for instance when he is a pirate leader or detective. In Marens lille ugle
Marens lille ugle
Marens lille ugle is an award-winning Norwegian children's book from 1957, written by Finn Havrevold. The story is about the young girl Maren and her rag owl, which needs comfort when Maren is anxious. The book was adapted for radio, and it was basis for the film Ugler i mosen from 1959, directed...
from 1957, "Maren" has a small toy owl who needs comfort every time Maren is scared. The book was adapted into a film by Ivo Caprino
Ivo Caprino
Ivo Caprino was a Norwegian film director and writer, best known for his puppet films. His most famous film is Flåklypa Grand Prix , made in 1975.- Early career :...
, called Ugler i mosen.
Havrevold's first play was the comedy Jubileum from 1951. His play Uretten premiered at Nationaltheatret
Nationaltheatret
The National Theatre in Oslo is one of Norway's largest and most prominent venues for performance of dramatic arts.The theatre had its first performance on 1 September 1899 but can trace its origins to Christiania Theatre, which was founded in 1829...
in January 1955, staged by Agnes Mowinckel
Agnes Mowinckel
Agnes Mowinckel was a Norwegian actress and theatre director, born in Bergen. She was Norway's first professional stage director. She was a pioneer in bringing painters to the theatre, using light as an artistic element, and engaging contemporary composers...
. The heroin character "Helle", played by Liv Strømsted is surrounded by three miserable men. The play resulted in a fierce debate on women's rights. The play Tomannsboligen was staged at Nationaltheatret in February 1960. The setting is two very different married couples sharing a duplex house. He wrote several audio plays for Radioteatret
Radioteatret
Radioteatret is a department of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation which produces audio plays for radio broadcasting. It was established in 1927.-Directors:...
. His play Gruppen from 1968 was staged at Oslo Nye Teater
Oslo Nye Teater
Oslo Nye Teater in Oslo is one of Norway's most visited theatres.The theatre opened in 1959 as a merge between Det Nye Teater and Folketeatret, and consists of four stages; Oslo Nye Hovedscenen, Oslo Nye Centralteatret, Oslo Nye Trikkestallen and Oslo Nye Caféscenen.-External links:*...
. Havrevold published the misanthropic novel Den ytterste dag in 1963, the novel De gjenstridige in 1965, and the modernist novel Blå rytter in 1968. From 1977 to 1980 he wrote a series of autobiographical books.
He was awarded the Mads Wiel Nygaards Endowment
Mads Wiel Nygaards Endowment
Mads Wiel Nygaard's Endowment is an annually awarded literary prize from the publishing house Aschehoug. The prize is a recognition of superior literary work. The publisher's editorial management makes the award based on their collective judgement of merit. Applications are not accepted.The...
in 1972.