Reet Kudu
Reet Kudu (b. 10. VIII 1949) is a writer, choreographer and translator.
Kudu was born in Tartu into a family of sports coaches. She matriculated from secondary school in Tartu in 1967 and then studied journalism at the State University of Tartu. After graduating from university in 1972 she worked on a freelance basis for three years on the journal Edasi. Thereafter she worked from 1975 to 1984 as an editor of children’s and young people’s programmes on Estonian Radio. From 1984 to 1986 she studied choreography in Moscow. She has been working freelance since 1988. She has been a member of the Estonian Writers’ Union since 2005.
Kudu made her debut in 1979 with didactic stories for children, and thereafter published several books and fairy tales intended for children and young adults. In 1994 she won a special prize in the novel competition run by the Faatum publishing house for the novel Vabadus ja armastus (‘Freedom and Love’). The work came out the same year. The novel, which has been labelled ‘feminist’ or ‘a woman’s novel’, received mixed reviews from the critics.
Reet Kudu has created stage productions and choreographed works, mainly for the VAT and Vanemuine theatres. Since 1974 Kudu has been publishing articles on the theatre (mainly about the art of dance; criticism, interviews, portraits of dancers and ballet performers) in journals and the press. She has also published articles on literature and films as well as social life.
Reet Kudu has translated many books from German and Russian.
L. P. (Translated by C. M.)
Books in Estonian
Novels
Vabadus ja armastus. Tallinn: Faatum, 1994. 166 lk.
Pöörane reis: noorsooromaan. Tallinn: Avita, 2001. 112 lk.
Täiskuu ja tänavalatern. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 2002. 126 lk.
Gratis. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 2004. 191 lk.
Pidupäevad võõrsil. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 2007. 363 lk.
Inglimammid. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 2009. 223 lk.
Pigimust ja pigilind. Tallinn: Canopus, 2009. 277 lk.
Pidu kaugel enesest. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 2011. 287 lk.
Hädamaandumine. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 2014. 287 lk.
Isatütred. Habaja: Kentaur, 2016. 112 lk.
Muidumiljonärid. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 2017. 220 lk.
Kuristikupealsed. Habaja: Kentaur, 2019. 130 lk.
Stories
Ränd tuttaval tänaval. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1980. 79 lk.
Suguvõsa võsas. Tallinn: Faatum, 2004. 70 lk.
Children’s books
Pannkoogipäev. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1979. 44 lk. [Jutustused.]
Printsess oma printsile. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1984. 56 lk. [Muinasjutud.]
Flöödiviis. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1985. 94 lk. [Jutustused ja näidend.]
Pöialvalguke ja kass, kes sööb häält. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1988. 46 lk.
Minu võlusport. Tallinn: Koolibri, 1994. 32 lk.
Elu algab kümneselt. Habaja: Kentaur, 2014. 68 lk.
Julla esimene armastus. Habaja: Kentaur, 2020. 70 lk.
Biographies
Kaika Laine – sajandi naine. Kaika kaemus. Tallinn: Kodutrükk, 2009. 192 lk.
Kaika Laine: legend jääb elama. Habaja: Kentaur, 2020. 211 lk.
Choreography
Süvamuusikat peale hammustades. Tallinn: Olion, 1990. 76 lk. [Tantsude loomisest ja tantsimisest.]
Kired looja ümber. Ülo Vilimaa – teatrilegend: esseeraamat. Tartu: Elmatar, 2001. 143 lk.
