Ask the Author: Kurt Hansen
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Kurt Hansen
Here is the Preface from my recently published novel, Daughters of Teutobod:
The impetus for this book stems from two observations and a resultant question. The first observation is that throughout my working life, the best managers I have worked with or for have nearly always been women. Whether in the field of mental health, the business world, education, or ministry, I have continually found myself appreciative of the leadership style and capabilities of the women I have encountered. This is not to say every woman I have known is a great manager. Nor is it to dismiss the excellence of all the men I have worked with. But overall, the preponderance of those managers and leaders I have encountered for whom I have had the most respect were women.
The second observation derives from the knowledge of my own family system, specifically the distaff side. My maternal grandfather was a traditional German American, born on a farm in Wisconsin and raised in the traditional way. He grew up to be dogmatic, misogynistic, inflexible, paternalistic and at times, even abusive. The struggles experienced by my mother throughout her life, her many accomplishments despite the emotional baggage she carried, and my later study of mental health and family systems theory form the background for the plot structure of this book.
The question which emerged from these observations is this: how did they do it? Women, once powerless, stolen by domineering, warlike men and used for their childbearing and labor value, somehow became the models for angels with major roles to play in the mythical stories of Valhalle. Women moved from being chattel to owning roles of mystics and seers and consultants. And they did this in a few generations. How did they do that?
The impetus for this book stems from two observations and a resultant question. The first observation is that throughout my working life, the best managers I have worked with or for have nearly always been women. Whether in the field of mental health, the business world, education, or ministry, I have continually found myself appreciative of the leadership style and capabilities of the women I have encountered. This is not to say every woman I have known is a great manager. Nor is it to dismiss the excellence of all the men I have worked with. But overall, the preponderance of those managers and leaders I have encountered for whom I have had the most respect were women.
The second observation derives from the knowledge of my own family system, specifically the distaff side. My maternal grandfather was a traditional German American, born on a farm in Wisconsin and raised in the traditional way. He grew up to be dogmatic, misogynistic, inflexible, paternalistic and at times, even abusive. The struggles experienced by my mother throughout her life, her many accomplishments despite the emotional baggage she carried, and my later study of mental health and family systems theory form the background for the plot structure of this book.
The question which emerged from these observations is this: how did they do it? Women, once powerless, stolen by domineering, warlike men and used for their childbearing and labor value, somehow became the models for angels with major roles to play in the mythical stories of Valhalle. Women moved from being chattel to owning roles of mystics and seers and consultants. And they did this in a few generations. How did they do that?
Kurt Hansen
My sister once said about me, "You fix things. That's who you are." I think I tend to write about things that bother me, questions which seem to have been answered repeatedly without resolution. I value relationships and their complexity. Maybe writing helps me deal with the dual reality of caring deeply for people, and the sad truth that some things can't be fixed.
Kurt Hansen
A complex story about a man suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. Much of the narrative evolves from visits with a psychiatrist and flashbacks as the protagonist struggles to navigate the chaos which he experiences in his life and relationships.
Kurt Hansen
The weaving together of myriad threads into a cogent and inspiring plot.
Kurt Hansen
I tend to wait until it goes away. I am fortunate in that I don't rely on my writing to survive.
Kurt Hansen
As winter is fast approaching, I'll say that my winter list includes Barbara KIngsolver's newest book, Demon Copperhead, Stephen King's Fairy Tale, and Sonia Purnell's A Woman of No Importance,
Kurt Hansen
In some ways, my most recent novel is an answer to this question, in that I came to the realization that most of the managers I have worked with or for have been women. In being aware of the barriers most women have faced in the workplace and often at home, the question became: how did they do it? That became the basis for the deep narrative that drove the plot of Daughters of Teutobod.
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