2006:2
Autobiographical works from Xiao Rundcrantz and Fredrik Sjöberg.
Editor: Sarah Death
Deputy Editor: Neil Smith
Reviews Editor: Henning Koch
A widely contrasting set of contributions characterizes this issue of SBR. We open with an excerpt from Xiao Rundcrantz’s Red Prosecutor, the powerful, shocking, true story of her work as a prosecutor in Communist China, before she escaped to Sweden in 1998. A more light-hearted form of non-fiction is provided by Fredrik Sjöberg as he sets off on an unusual career path in The Fly Trap. A few scenes from Finland-Swede Petter Lindberg’s intriguing science fiction novel leave us with a real cliffhanger. Poetic tastes are catered for, too: we present more results of the fruitful collaboration between prizewinning poet Göran Sonnevi and his translator Rika Lesser over many years; and a poem in two language versions by the late Göran Printz-Påhlson accompanies the appreciation of his life by Michael Robinson.
Our occasional series on Swedophile publishing houses in other European countries, begun in SBR 2005:1 by Carmen Cima in Italy, continues with Philippe Bouquet’s reflection on the highs and lows of a literary translator’s relations with publishers in France.
Translations
Translation
from Red Prosecutor
This remarkable book tells the true story of Xiao Rundcrantz’ path from a poverty-stricken childhood through her work as a highly successful and well-respected prosecutor in China until she moved to Sweden in 1998.
Translated by Marlaine Delargy.
Translation
from The Fly Trap
The Fly Trap is an autobiographical account of one man’s emotional and intellectual journey into the heart of entomology.
Translated by Henning Koch.
Articles
Article
The Joys and Pains of Translating Scandinavian Literature into French
Philippe Bouquet reflects on the highs and lows of a literary translator’s relations with publishers in France.
Reviews
Compiled and edited by Henning Koch
Fiction
REVIEW
Fällan i Brunnsparken
Staffan Bruun wanted to write about “the worst thing that could happen to a mother-in-law’s dream”, and in this novel he has succeeded admirably.
REVIEW
Vit som marmor - ett romerskt mysterium
This historical novel from Carina Burman concerns the doings of a group of Swedes in Rome.
REVIEW
Oneirine - Roman i tusen delar
Fabian Kastner's experimental novel is rooted in the tradition of Perec, Borges, Gombrovicz and Thomas Pynchon.
REVIEW
Skynda, kom och se
In Lotta Lundberg's impressive and disturbing novel, a quartet of dwarves and midgets attempts to exchange the freak-show circuit for a place to live and work with dignity.
REVIEW
Mitt liv som Pythagoras
Fredrik Lång has an impressive academic record in the natural sciences, mathematics, philosophy and history. My Life as Pythagoras, unlike his earlier novels, almost sinks with the sheer weight of the interesting things he has got to say.
REVIEW
Nätterna, Veronica
Henrik Nilsson is a poet, literary critic and radio journalist from Malmö, and Nätterna,Verónica is his prose debut. What he has given us is a collection of short stories set in Lisbon, a city he clearly knows and loves.
REVIEW
Drömfakulteten
Sara Stridsberg has written a freely structured fantasy novel based on the real-life character of Valerie Solanas (1936-1988), the American radical feminist author who achieved notoriety in 1968 by shooting Andy Warhol.
Poetry
REVIEW
The Deleted World: Versions by Robin Robertson
This wonderful book of Tranströmer poems has much to teach other translators in its immense concentration and daring accuracy.
Non-fiction
REVIEW
Swedenborg's Secret. A Biography
Lars Bergquist's detailed and authoritative book is essential reading for anyone interested in Swedenborg.
REVIEW
Svitjods undergång och Sveriges födelse
The Lindström brothers' well argued and researched book will appeal to students and others who enjoy reading Scandinavian history beyond the traditional fare of marauding Vikings.
REVIEW
Northern Constellations. New Readings in Nordic Cinema
Northern Constellations offers readings selected to uncover previously neglected aspects and contexts of individual creations and collective environments alike.
REVIEW
Han som aldrig fick bli kung. Berättelsen om Carl XVI Gustafs pappa
Svensson has produced a fascinating picture of the upper classes in Sweden, and of Swedish attitudes towards Germany in the decades leading up to World War II.