New Swedish Books, Spring 2018 1
61 Spring 2018 “ what’s best is probably the depi
ction of the deep divide in social classes with which von Bredow manages to imbue every detail of the novel.” Katarina von Bredow (b. 1967) Ellinor Publisher Natur & Kultur www.nok.se Rights Koja Agency catharina.lantz@kojaagency.com Selected Works Syskonkärlek YA 1991 Bara inte du YA 2009 Du & jag Chapter Book 2013 Selected Literary Prizes Buxtehuder Bulle 1994 Astrid Lindgren-priset 2013 Emil-priset 2013 Ellinor Every day in middle school is like a minefield. And if anyone has the potential to describe it accurately, it’s Katarina von Bredow – never afraid to throw herself headfirst into something awkward or stir up a debate. Her novel Ellinor is about a girl who’s good at climbing. Tightening her muscles and taking on the challenge of climbing the most difficult climbing walls is what she lives for. Because when she’s climbing she’s in total control, feeling free and strong. Whilst in her normal life, with divorced parents, she is forced to navigate and portion out her feelings so that her embittered Mum won’t fall apart. It’s precisely in the description of the damaged relationships that von Bredow is at her best, drilling into them, bending them back and forth, not dodging that which hurts the most. As Ellinor is about to turn 13 she’s put a mobile phone at the top of her wish list. Mum makes do by fixing the old broken phone, whilst Dad and his cool new girlfriend buy Ellinor a brand new one. The portrayal of her friendship with Dad’s new girlfriend is refreshing and von Bredow effectively shatters the stereotype of the hopeless, almostthe-same-age step mum. Furthermore, both friendships and budding romantic relationships are put at stake when the good-looking Viktor joins her class. But what’s best is probably the depiction of the deep divide in social classes with which von Bredow manages to imbue every detail of the novel. The dividing line is constantly set between those who have and those who have not, and this exposes deep cracks in a deconstructed welfare society. Photo: Kalle Magnusson