Features
LATEST INTERVIEW
‘There’s nothing like the act of translation to reveal the magic of how and why a piece of writing gets under your skin.’
Fresh from her Bernard Shaw Prize win for her translation of Johanne Lykke Holm's Strega, Saskia Vogel speaks to SBR about her luminous translation and stretching the limits of the English language.
LATEST FEATURE
Swedish Folk Tales – An Evolving Tradition
Anna Maria Hellberg Moberg delves into the changing landscape of folk tales and storytelling traditions across Sweden.
LATEST FEATURE
A (Brief) Guide to Sweden's Literary Prizes 2023
We present some of the latest shortlists and winners of the prestigious literary prizes in Swedish-language fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children's fiction.
roundup
Spotlight on Finland-Swedish literature
We open up our archives to highlight some recent works by Finland-Swedish writers featured in SBR.
INTERVIEW
130 Years (and Counting) of Finland-Swedish Poetry
2021 saw the publication of an anthology of Finland-Swedish poetry covering 130 years. Swedish Book Review interviewed its editors to talk about their selection, as well as more broadly about poetry and publishing in Swedish in Finland.
INTERVIEW
‘It Takes a Village to Raise Good Children’s Literature and Critique’
Researchers and critics Maria Lassén-Seger and Mia Österlund speak to Swedish Book Review about Finland-Swedish children’s literature and the art of literary criticism
In memoriam
Eivor Martinus 1943-2023
Tom Geddes celebrates the life of Eivor Martinus, a writer, prolific translator of Swedish literature and drama, and teacher of language and literature.
FEATURE
Stig Dagerman at 100
Bengt Söderhäll, Chair and Co-founder of the Stig Dagerman Society, discusses Stig Dagerman’s lasting legacy and impact, and some of the events taking place to mark his centenary.
Translated by Alex Fleming
FEATURE
From a Vintage Car Week to a Springtime Revival for Selma Lagerlöf
Birgitta Holm discusses the recent interest in Selma Lagerlöf, and how a new generation of readers are discovering the universal genius that she was.
Translated by Sarah Death and Linda Schenck.
FEATURE
Gothenburg: Sweden’s First International City of Literature
Ulla Forsén explores the extensive, trans-institutional efforts that helped to secure Gothenburg's status as a City of Literature, and the long-term commitments that this will involve.
Translated by Linda Schenck.
FEATURE
The Literature of Värmland, Past and Present
Anna Maria Hellberg Moberg goes back to her writing roots, researching the literary heritage and contemporary authors of her native Värmland.
FEATURE
The Parallel Rise of Swedish Literature in English Translation and the Translator Collective
Ian Giles, chair of the Swedish-English Literary Translators' Association, looks back on a special year in the life of SELTA.
FEATURE
Help wanted: How Swedish Agents Work with Authors at Different Stages
Elin Klemetz explores how agents adjust their approach and terms according to an author’s situation.
Translated by Ian Giles.
FEATURE
At Your Side: The Role of Literary Agents on the Swedish Market
Elin Klemetz takes an in-depth look at what literary agents working in Sweden do, and whether having one is always in a writer's best interest.
Translated by Ian Giles.
FEATURE
‘My Ukrainian publisher’s son said he wasn’t frightened – but the war changed him’
Before the war the Swedish writer Sara Stridsberg had never had any contact with her Ukrainian publisher. When Russia invaded Ukraine she sent an email. Here she writes about the exchange that followed, the family that was forced to flee, and the place of literature in the ongoing war.
Translated by Deborah Bragan-Turner.
FEATURE
Lend Me Your Language: Inspired Reflections on Jila Mossaed’s Swedish Poetry
Bradley Harmon reflects upon Jila Mossaed’s Swedish poetry, exploring freedom, survival and the breath of poetry, and the possibilities and limitations of writing in a new language.
By Bradley Harmon.
Reviews highlights series
Recent Gems in Swedish Literature
We open up our reviews archive to highlight some of the recent gems in Swedish-language literature, through lists curated by genre and age group.
FEATURE
One Day, Some Life: a day in the life of a subtitler
Alexander Keiller discusses the ever-changing shape of the subtitling industry.