\New Swedish Books, spring 2019 1
11 Spring 2019 Henrik Bromander (b. 1982) High Vo
ltage, novel, 194 p. Publisher Bokförlaget Atlas www.bokforlagetatlas.se Rights Bokförlaget Atlas Tove Leffler Tove.leffler@arenagruppen.se Works Riv alla tempel, novel, 2014 Vän av ordning, novel, 2016 Bara en kram, novel, 2017 High Voltage Novelist, cartoonist and playwright Henrik Bromander tells stories of outsiders in the Swedish welfare state. His previous three novels have examined masculinity in modern Sweden with razor-sharp observation and humour. He has both amused and bemused with his depictions of bodybuilder Johan, Sweden Democrat Joel, and man of culture Jens. Bromander’s protagonists steer clear of caricature thanks to the great empathy and compassion he has for his characters. Continuing in this vein, his new novel High Voltage follows Lotta, a middle-aged Swedish teacher facing problems in the workplace. As students argue over grades and school management meddles in her teaching, she develops insomnia, rashes and aches. She suspects she is suffering from electrical hypersensitivity. Bromander skilfully shows how a normal, competent professional in unfortunate circumstances can be ground down and driven into mental illness. The social system suddenly decides that she no longer fits the norm. Photo: Jessica Segerberg