Her deep psychological insight and great environmental descriptions ensured her a lasting place in Norwegian literature.

Haalke made use of strong, colorful language and lush figures of speech.

The trilogy Karenanna Velde (1946), Kaja Augusta (1947) and Kvinneverden (1954) is from a rural district on the coast of Trøndelag.

Her final work was her autobiography Mot nytt liv, written at the age of ninety-two.

She was the first recipient of Mads Wiel Nygaards Endowment, which she was awarded in 1953 and which she shared with novelist, Lizzie Juvkam (1883–1969).