Maj Sjowall – The Godmother of Scandinavian Crime Fiction | Fourth Estate.
Seems that Fourth Estate (an imprint of HarperCollins) is re-issuing the Martin Beck books with pretty new covers. There’s a quickie interview with the author at the link above for those interested. Not sure what to think of the new covers sporting quotes from both Jo Nesbø and Henning Mankell. To me they aren’t all that flattering especially the part about Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, being the “godparents of Scandinavian crime fiction.” I would have preferred something like: “the ones who started it all” or something. No? well, that’s why I don’t work in marketing.
Heh. Maybe they gave lovely gifts once a year and stood up with them at their baptism I mean book launches.
Glad to hear they’re reissuing, though. She deserves all the publicity and sales she can get.
LOL, (agreed)
I’m heartened, too, any time a publisher reissues a writer’s work, but blurbs from newer, albeit apparently more popular, writers? Yeah, sticks in my craw a little. OTOH, anything that sells good books is a win.
Hey, did you see that the Guardian Books Blog podcast is all about crime fiction this week: Tana French & more: http://bit.ly/pEtPKL
No, thanks! Will go check it out.
Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo wrote gems. Their books have character development, a bit of introspection, but not too much, interesting plots, social issues, teamwork, resolutions — all this and they do not suffer from being overly verbose and long. They are tightly written.
Wish that more Scandinavian writers would follow their example in many respects.
I wouldn’t use the term “godparents,” but perhaps “originators” or “role models.”
Even using the term “godparents” would probably stand in opposition to their own beliefs.
Hey kathy d,
I just downloaded Rosanna and will give it a read after Box 21. Thanks!!
They are great novels but they did not start it all – even Newton didn’t claim that
It’s all about evolution. They are/were massively influential, though, esp all those Swedish 10-book series being written or planned based on “The Story of a Crime” (which is brilliant by the way, a must-read).
You’re right, Maxine. I know some folks cite Peter Hoeg’s Smila’s Sense of Snow as being one point of origin (that’s on my reading list)