In the outskirts of a Swedish town which is predominantly inhabited by retired people, an old couple is brutally murdered. Kurt Wallander is the detective in charge of solving the mystery. The murder soon is going to accelerate the racial prejudices of the society. Kurt has other things on his mind too, recent separation, increasing distant daughter and a difficult aging father. While struggling on the personal front, Kurt have to solve the murder and apprehend the criminals.
The novel written by Henning Mankell is about a murder. It is not set on a grand canvas. The underlying theme does have a greater significance. But it is for the reader to interpret the grand canvas. That is why the book, which details the investigative procedures and also the brilliant mind, stays in the mind of the reader long after he/she has put down the book after reading the last page. Some of the issues dealt with in the book is relevant to any part of the world while some is specific to Sweden. The good thing is the issues discussed are not alien to most of us.
The book in English is a translation of Mankell's work in Swedish. So, I cannot say a lot about the language. But the essence of the book is preserved. So the investigation, though crude as it is set in 1990s, is interesting. Pick it up if you are interested in mysteries and can also handle slow or real-time pace.
Tags: Books,Henning Mankell,Kurt Wallander
Hi Nona,
ReplyDeleteHow have you been?
I read this book and found it interesting but a bit slow.
Thanks for dropping by. I am around. A bit lazy these days as I post and take my time to come around to comments. I am trying to be more regular.
DeleteI agree on the slow part. But that is the fun in reading this book. :)
where do ou get time for all this? books, movies, photography, blogging, drinks...and work too.
ReplyDeleteNo my friend, there is time to do all these things. But there is no time to do other things which are important too. You win some, you lose some. ;)
Deleteyou bought this Swedish mystery book translated in English in France???
ReplyDeleteI read books on the Kindle (ipad/iphone). So it is easy to get these books. Actually this is a Swedish book translated to English available worldwide. :)
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