Karin Bang facts for kids

Karin Bang (born December 3, 1928, died August 20, 2017) was a talented writer from Norway. She wrote many different kinds of books. These included poems, novels, and stories for children. She also wrote exciting crime novels.

Karin Bang's Early Life

Karin Bang was born in Oslo, Norway. Her father was Alf Bang, an industrial manager. Her mother was Dagmar Kathinka Hansen.

Karin grew up in Oslo. Her family also had a summer house in Veierland, Vestfold. There, she learned about old coastal traditions.

After finishing school in 1947, she worked as a secretary. She worked for five years in Oslo. During this time, she also started writing her first books.

In 1952, she married writer Aasmund Brynildsen. He passed away in 1974. Later, she lived with writer Sigbjørn Hølmebakk from 1979 until his death in 1981.

Karin Bang's Writing Career

Karin Bang started her writing journey in 1949. She first published two light novels. Her book Glemte vinger (Forgotten Wings) came out in 1951. This book is seen as her first serious work.

She wrote other novels like Fjerne seil (Distant Sails) in 1962. Another one was Blåst om babord–! (Blown to Port–!) in 1964.

Family Stories and Historical Novels

Karin Bang wrote a series of three novels. These were Bedremannsbarn (1973), Borgersinn (1974), and Nye veier (1979). This series tells a family story from the early 1900s.

She also wrote two historical novels called Jutøy. These books were Havet ble blod (The Sea Turned Blood) from 1978. The second was Jag etter vind (Hunt for Wind) from 1981. These stories are about the early days of whaling in Vestfold. They take place between 1809 and 1905. The story happens on a made-up island called Jutøy. It also follows whalers in the polar seas. The books even feature the whaling pioneer Svend Foyn.

Karin Bang was part of the Norwegian Authors' Union's literary council. She served on it for several periods.

Dolls, Children's Books, and Crime Stories

Karin Bang loved collecting old dolls. She even put together a book about dolls. It was called Har dukkene sjel? (Do Dolls Have Souls?) in 1985. She wrote an article in it about the history of dolls.

She also wrote two books for children. These were Lotte på loftet (Lotte in the Attic) in 1992. The other was Katten på Sjørøverøya (The Cat on Pirate Island) in 1994.

Besides these, she wrote two exciting crime novels. They were Mord i måneskinn (Murder in Moonlight) from 1956. The second was Seilas med døden (Sail with Death) from 1960.

Awards and Honours

Karin Bang received several important literary awards.

• In 1966, she won the Riksmål Society Literature Prize.
• In 1976, she received the Aschehoug Prize.
• In 1983, she was given Gyldendal's Endowment. She shared this award with Terje Johanssen.