Mirror Shoulder Signal
2019 Longlist

Mirror, Shoulder, Signal

Translated from the Danish by Misha Hoekstra
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Sonja’s over forty, and she’s trying to move in the right direction. She’s learning to drive. She’s joined a meditation group. And she’s attempting to reconnect with her sister. But her sister won’t return her calls. Her driving instructor won’t let her change gear. And she’d rather eat cake than meditate.

As Sonja’s mind wanders back to the dramatic landscapes of her childhood – the singing whooper swans, the endless sky – she starts to realize just how lost she has become in the alienating streets of Copenhagen. But how can anyone find themselves when there’s no one to ask for directions?

Mirror, Shoulder, Signal is a poignant, sharp-witted tale of one woman’s journey in search of herself.

 

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Dorthe
Nors

Dorthe Nors was born in 1970 and studied literature at the University of Aarhus. She is one of the most original voices in contemporary Danish literature. Her short stories have appeared in numerous international periodicals including including The Boston Review and Harpers, and she is the first Danish writer ever to have a story published in the New Yorker. Nors has published four novels so far, in addition to a collection of stories Karate Chop, and a novella Minna Needs Rehearsal Space, also published by Pushkin Press. Karate Chop won the prestigious P. O. Enquist Literary Prize in 2014. She lives in rural Jutland, Denmark.

Dorthe Nors was born in 1970 and studied literature at the University of Aarhus. She is one of the most original voices in contemporary Danish literature. Her short stories have appeared in numerous international periodicals including including The Boston Review and Harpers, and she is the first Danish writer ever to have a story published in the New Yorker. Nors has published four novels so far, in addition to a collection of stories Karate Chop, and a novella Minna Needs Rehearsal Space, also published by Pushkin Press. Karate Chop won the prestigious P. O. Enquist Literary Prize in 2014. She lives in rural Jutland, Denmark.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Misha
Hoekstra

MISHA HOEKSTRA has translated numerous Danish authors, including Hans Christian Andersen and Maren Uthaug. In 2017, he received the Danish Translation Prize, and his translation of Dorthe Nors’s Mirror, Shoulder, Signal was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize.

MISHA HOEKSTRA has translated numerous Danish authors, including Hans Christian Andersen and Maren Uthaug. In 2017, he received the Danish Translation Prize, and his translation of Dorthe Nors’s Mirror, Shoulder, Signal was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

An existential crisis disguised as entertainment. A text that deals with emotionally charged topics with impressive ease, compassion, fun, and touch.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
01/01/2015
Original Language
Danish
Author
Publisher
Pushkin Press
Translator
Misha Hoekstra
Translation
Translated from the Danish by Misha Hoekstra

RELATED FEATURES

News November 19 2024

2025 Dublin Literary Award Judges Announced

Meet our judging panel for 2025 Dublin Literary Award
Video November 1 2024

2024 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

2024 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony with broadcaster Rick O'Shea. Livestreamed from the International Literature Festival Dublin in Merrion Square Park on Thursday 23rd May 2024.
Audio June 11 2024

All About Books Podcast Features the 2024 Dublin Literary Award

Dublin City FM podcaster Katy Conneely spotlights the award.
Video June 5 2024

2024 Winners Mircea Cărtărescu & Sean Cotter in conversation

with Journalist Alex Clarke at the International Literature Festival Dublin.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.