New Swedish Books, Spring 2018 1
23 Spring 2018 Johan Svedjedal (b. 1956) The New
Day Dawns. Karin Boye’s writing life Publisher Wahlström & Widstrand www.wwd.se Rights Wahlström & Widstrand helene.atterling@wwd.se Selected Works Ner med allt? Essäer om protestlitteraturen och demokratin, cirka 1965–1975 2014 Spektrum 1931–1935. Den svenska drömmen 2011 Skrivaredans. Birger Sjöbergs liv och diktning 1999 Selected Literary Prizes Övralidspriset 2010 Disapriset 2013 Kellgrenpriset 2017 The New Day Dawns Karin Boye (1900–1941) was a feminist, socialist, teacher and author. She was involved in Trade union issues. She was homosexual at a time when it was a punishable offence, and both men and women fell in love with her. But more than anything she was one of Sweden’s most beloved poets. When she took her life it sent shockwaves across the country. But her suicide and her prematurely-ended career have contributed to a whole mythology around her – a picture that literary scholar Johan Svedjedal addresses in his book. It is based on extensive source material, though this never weighs down his portrayal. He moves freely between Boye’s life and work, presenting a multifaceted image of the author, utopian and idealist Karin Boye. Photo: Dan Hansson