Sigurd Hoel

Sigurd Hoel (December 14, 1890 – October 14, 1960) was a Norwegian author and publishing consultant, born in Nord-Odal. A prolific writer and critic, during the World War II he was a member of the Norwegian resistance movement.

In his early years, Hoel was deeply interested in psychoanalysis, for some years he was a dedicated follower of Sigmund Freud, but after 1932 he became close to Wilhelm Reich who deeply influenced subsequent works and views of Hoel.

As a writer, he debuted with the collection of short stories Veien vi gaar (The Way We Go) in 1922. His breakthrough came with Syndere i sommersol (Sinners in Summertime, 1927), which was made into a film in 1932 and in 2002.

Hoel's prose is largely autobiographical. In his books he contemplates on the impact of childhood on adulthood and overall man’s character, and the protective mechanisms of the psyche as a result of childhood trauma. Hoel's novels raise questions of morality and sexual freedom as well as themes of betrayal and guilt.