Swedish literature

[Kurben]

This might be bold of me but i'm guessing that people over there don't know of many of the great authors from my humble homecountry. So i thought i give a few of my favourites in case there is some that want to try something new. I know that when i became curious about other countries lit i never know where to begin. So if someone happen to be interested here are a few tips.

August Strindberg: The Red Room (1879), The People of Hemsö
Selma Lagerlöf: The Story of Gösta Berling (1891)
Hjalmar Söderberg: Doctor Glas (1905) (introduction by atwood in english edition)
Astrid Lindgren: Ronia, the Robbers Daughter, The Brothers Lionheart (Can be read and enjoyed by everyone from the age 8 to 98)
Marianne Fredriksson: Children of Paradise (1985), According to Mary Magdalene (1997)
John Ajvide Lindkvist: Let the Right One In (swedish horror)
Ejvind Johnson: The Days of His Grace (1960, historical novel)
Franz G. Bengtsson: The Long Ships (perhaps the best Viking-saga in modern literature)
Bertil Mårtensson (sadly not, as far as i know translated into english, great SF-writer)
Mats Strandberg, Sara Bergmark Elfgren: The Circle, Fire, The Key (great YA trilogy)
Per Wahlöö, Maj Sjöwall: The Laughing Policeman, The Fireengine that disapeared, Murder at the savoj) (The Beck-series, 10 books and these are the three best IMO, The beginning of great swedish crime) If these find admirers you can go on to Henning Mankell, Åke Edwardsson and Håkan Nesser)
Vilhelm Moberg: Wrote the great Emigrant-series about families emigrating to US. The Emigrants, Unto A Good Land, The Settlers, The Last Letter Home.
Per Anders Fogelstrom: The best describtion of a growing Stockholm seen through the eyes of a family and their children. City of My Dreams, Children of Their City, Remember the City, A Transformed City, City of the World)
Kerstin Ekman: The Forest of Hours

So. I'm sure i have forgotten many in my haste but as a tip it works. Hope it had any interest for some of you:

 

[morgan]

John Ajvide Lindkvist: Let the Right One In (swedish horror)

I am embarrassed to admit I've never read any of these authors. Is this the book the movie is based on? That is one of the best films I've ever seen (and I don't like a lot of "horror" films. Shhhh...don't tell anyone ).

 

[Kurben]

I am embarrassed to admit I've never read any of these authors. Is this the book the movie is based on? That is one of the best films I've ever seen (and I don't like a lot of "horror" films. Shhhh...don't tell anyone ).

Yes, thats the book. Another good of his is Handling the Undead (a different take on Zombies) . Harbour and Little Star can also be recommended.

 

[skimom2]

This might be bold of me but i'm guessing that people over there don't know of many of the great authors from my humble homecountry. So i thought i give a few of my favourites in case there is some that want to try something new. I know that when i became curious about other countries lit i never know where to begin. So if someone happen to be interested here are a few tips.

August Strindberg: The Red Room (1879), The People of Hemsö
Selma Lagerlöf: The Story of Gösta Berling (1891)
Hjalmar Söderberg: Doctor Glas (1905) (introduction by atwood in english edition)
Astrid Lindgren: Ronia, the Robbers Daughter, The Brothers Lionheart (Can be read and enjoyed by everyone from the age 8 to 98)
Marianne Fredriksson: Children of Paradise (1985), According to Mary Magdalene (1997)
John Ajvide Lindkvist: Let the Right One In (swedish horror)
Ejvind Johnson: The Days of His Grace (1960, historical novel)
Franz G. Bengtsson: The Long Ships (perhaps the best Viking-saga in modern literature)
Bertil Mårtensson (sadly not, as far as i know translated into english, great SF-writer)
Mats Strandberg, Sara Bergmark Elfgren: The Circle, Fire, The Key (great YA trilogy)
Per Wahlöö, Maj Sjöwall: The Laughing Policeman, The Fireengine that disapeared, Murder at the savoj) (The Beck-series, 10 books and these are the three best IMO, The beginning of great swedish crime) If these find admirers you can go on to Henning Mankell, Åke Edwardsson and Håkan Nesser)
Vilhelm Moberg: Wrote the great Emigrant-series about families emigrating to US. The Emigrants, Unto A Good Land, The Settlers, The Last Letter Home.
Per Anders Fogelstrom: The best describtion of a growing Stockholm seen through the eyes of a family and their children. City of My Dreams, Children of Their City, Remember the City, A Transformed City, City of the World)
Kerstin Ekman: The Forest of Hours

So. I'm sure i have forgotten many in my haste but as a tip it works. Hope it had any interest for some of you:

Thank you! I've been reading a few Swedish authors as their books are translated here, and I enjoy them very much! Aside from Astrid Lindgren, who I've been reading since childhood, of course, there aren't a lot of authors that are easy to find. The exception of Swedish crime fiction, which is exceptional! So far in non-crime fiction I've read Fredrik Backman and Katarina Bivald, and John Ajvide Lindqvist of course. Thank you for making a list of others I can look for

 

[skimom2]

Yes, thats the book. Another good of his is Handling the Undead (a different take on Zombies) . Harbour and Little Star can also be recommended.

I think about Little Star a lot--it really got under my skin.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...you forgot one....

Spoiler: Nude female drawing

 

[Holly Gibney]

Thank you so much for posting this, Kurben, and for going to all the trouble of compiling a list of your favourites and typing it all out for us! I must admit I am shamefully ignorant of Swedish literature (the only name I recognised was Astrid Lindgren), but reading is the great love of my life and I am always delighted to be introduced to so many new riches. I shall dive in, sir.

 

[Kurben]

I forgot the great swedish dystopian novel. Kallocain by Karin Boye. IMO up there with Orwell and Huxley. She committed suicide a few years afterwards. Drowned herself in 1942. It is thought to be related to a painful breakup from her female lover. It was not easy to be a homosexual in those days. Mostly remembered as one of the best swedish poets. But her one try into a novel produced a classic. A real pity she died so young.

 

[Kurben]

Also, a very controversial figure in swedish literature is Jan Guillou. Is basically a journalist and dont hold his opinions to himself Not a fan of the US or Israel) but he can write very well. His best are probably the crusader trilogy. Great historical fiction set in swedish 13 century. The Road to Jerusalem, The Knight Templar and The Kingdom at the End Of the Road. Main character Arn that we follow from childhood through his years as a templar and to his death. Since he is of noble birth he gets mixed in the political struggles for the crown in sweden much against his will.

 

[Spideyman]

I'll add my thank you too, Kurben . Will use the list to expand knowledge of Swedish literature and authors.

 

[skimom2]

Also, a very controversial figure in swedish literature is Jan Guillou. Is basically a journalist and dont hold his opinions to himself Not a fan of the US or Israel) but he can write very well. His best are probably the crusader trilogy. Great historical fiction set in swedish 13 century. The Road to Jerusalem, The Knight Templar and The Kingdom at the End Of the Road. Main character Arn that we follow from childhood through his years as a templar and to his death. Since he is of noble birth he gets mixed in the political struggles for the crown in sweden much against his will.

I saw an Arn movie--I wonder if it's based on these books? It was interesting!

 

[Kurben]

I saw an Arn movie--I wonder if it's based on these books? It was interesting!

It certainly is. I think they made two movies from the three books. It was nominated for a foreign movie Oscar but did not win.