Picture a Danish storyteller who spins futuristic tales and poetic musings that leave you questioning what it means to be human—meet Olga Ravn! Born in Copenhagen in 1986, this genre-defying author has taken the literary world by storm with her experimental novels, evocative poetry, and sharp cultural commentary. From her International Booker Prize–shortlisted novel The Employees to her raw exploration of motherhood in My Work, Ravn’s work is as thought-provoking as it is unclassifiable.
With a knack for blending science fiction, poetry, and social critique, Ravn has become one of Denmark’s most celebrated contemporary voices. Her ability to weave the mundane with the profound has earned her global acclaim, making her a must-read for anyone craving stories that challenge conventions.
The Making of Olga Ravn
Olga Sofia Ravn was born on September 27, 1986, in Copenhagen, the daughter of singer Anne Dorte Michelsen and artist Peter Ravn. Growing up in a creative household, she was surrounded by art and music, which sparked her playful yet visceral approach to language. After graduating from the prestigious Danish School of Authors (Forfatterskolen) in 2010, Ravn began publishing poetry, debuting with her first poem in the literary magazine Hvedekorn in 2008. Her early work caught the eye of critics, who praised her bold, rhythmic style.
Beyond writing, Ravn co-founded the feminist performance group and writing school Hekseskolen with Johanne Lykke Holm, running it from 2015 to 2019. She’s also a translator, literary critic for publications like Politiken, and an editor who helped relaunch the works of Danish icon Tove Ditlevsen. This multifaceted career shaped her unique voice, blending intellectual rigor with emotional depth.
Olga Ravn’s Unforgettable Stories
Ravn’s debut poetry collection, I Devour Myself Like Heather (2012), set the tone for her career with its passionate, lyrical exploration of identity and liberation. Critics called it “bursting with talent,” noting its visceral imagery and rhythmic pulse. Her first novel, Celestine (2015), further showcased her ability to turn language inside out, earning praise for its innovative style.
Her breakout came with The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century (2018, translated 2022), a sci-fi masterpiece shortlisted for the 2021 International Booker Prize and the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize. Set on a spaceship, the novel uses fragmented employee testimonies to probe humanity, labor, and consciousness. Its chilling yet poetic prose, translated by Martin Aitken, was hailed as “sublimely strange” and a sharp critique of capitalist productivity.
My Work (2020, translated 2023) is Ravn’s raw, genre-blending take on motherhood, mixing prose, poetry, and journal entries. Winner of the Politiken Literature Prize, it follows a new mother’s struggle with postpartum depression, earning accolades for its “ferocious, horrific, and elegant” honesty. Her latest, The Wax Child (2023, translated 2025), dives into a 17th-century Danish witch trial, blending historical fragments with magical elements.
Why Olga Ravn Matters
Olga Ravn’s impact lies in her fearless experimentation and her ability to tackle universal themes—identity, work, motherhood, and humanity—through a distinctly modern lens. Her work resonates globally, from Copenhagen to New York, inspiring readers to question societal norms and embrace the messy beauty of existence. By reviving Tove Ditlevsen’s legacy and pushing Danish literature onto the world stage, Ravn has cemented her place as a literary trailblazer.
Her art extends beyond books, too. Projects like An Enraptured Year at KØS Museum, where she used plant-dyed fabrics to explore 17th-century witchcraft, show her knack for blending literature with visual art. Ravn’s voice is a beacon for those who crave stories that defy boundaries.
- Born: September 27, 1986, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Key Works: I Devour Myself Like Heather, The Employees, My Work, The Wax Child
- Awards: Beatrice Prize (2019), Politiken Literature Prize (2020), International Booker Prize shortlist (2021)
Ready to dive into Olga Ravn’s mind-bending world? Snag The Employees or My Work and let her poetic sci-fi and raw honesty sweep you away!