Mare Kandre

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Mare Kandre (1962–2005) was a Swedish writer known for her novels, short stories, and poetry. She was born Mare Ingrid Hansson on May 27, 1962, in Söderala, Sweden, and grew up in Gothenburg. Her mother was a biologist who had fled Estonia during World War II. The family lived for a couple of years in British Columbia, Canada (1967–1969), a period that later influenced her writing.

Before turning to literature, Kandre was the frontwoman of the music group Global Infantilists (1981–1983). She became a highly regarded Scandinavian author, with works translated into more than eight languages. Her stories often explore the growth of girls, women’s roles, and the experiences of people who are marginalized or traumatized. Her writing is known for its metaphysical, existential themes and a Gothic touch.

Kandre received several prizes and scholarships, including the Aftonbladet Literary Prize in 1991. She also benefited from support from the Swedish Academy (1984), the Swedish Authors’ Fund (1985), Alfred Bonnier’s Centennial Award (1991), De Nios Vinterpris (1996), the Kalleberger scholarship (1999), Göteborgs-Posten’s literary prize (2000), Alfred Bonnier’s Fund for Swedish Writers (2001), and the Dobloug Prize (2003). She also held a long-term writer’s scholarship from the Swedish Writers’ Union.

Her published works include:
- I ett annat land (In Another Country), prose (1984)
- Bebådelsen (The Annunciation), prose poetry (1986)
- Bübins unge (Bübin’s Kid), novel (1987)
- Det brinnande trädet (The Burning Tree), novel (1988)
- Aliide, Aliide, novel (1991)
- Deliria, novel (1992)
- Quinnan och Dr Dreuf (The Woman and Dr Dreuf), novel (1994)
- Djävulen och Gud (The Devil and God), novel (1994)
- Bestiarium, novel (1999)
- Hetta och vitt (Heat and White), short stories (2001)
- Xavier, novel (2002)

Kandre also wrote drama; one of her works, Vilse (Lost), has been staged in theatres. Mare Kandre died on March 24, 2005, at the age of 42, from a drug overdose. She left behind a son.