New Swedish Books, Autumn 2018 1
17 Autumn 2018 Jonas Hassen Khemiri (b. 1978) The
Father Clause Publisher Albert Bonniers Förlag www.albertbonniersforlag.se Rights Wylie Agency Sarah Chalfant schalfant@wylieagency.co.uk “ … a novel that examines the many ties that keep a family together and the forces that tear them apart.” Selected Works Ett öga rött, novel, 2003 Montecore, novel, 2006 Allt jag inte minns, novel, 2015 Selected Literary Prizes Borås Tidnings Debutantpris 2004 P.O. Enquists pris 2006 Augustpriset 2015 The Father Clause Is identity formed more from internal or external influences? Jonas Hassen Khemiri’s views on this question have changed. His first novels featured characters with a gift for scintillating speech, who could create convincing masks and invent their life stories at will. In recent years his focus has shifted more towards the different social aspects of the self. His characters emerge through their relationships and through the eyes of others. This is certainly true of The Father Clause, a novel that examines the many ties that keep a family together and the forces that tear them apart. With rapid shifts of perspective, fine-tuned humour and dynamic, flowing language, Khemiri tells the story of a man who one day decides he has had enough and attempts to run away from his ageing father, his small children, and children’s mother. Photo: Pierre Björk