New Swedish Books, autumn 2020 1
41 Autumn 2020 Days and Days and Days Tone Schunn
esson’s second novel – after the critically and commercially successful Trip Reports (2016) – is a complex contemporary depiction of a not-so-younganymore generation. A generation in constant pursuit of affirmation, with trust issues, and an endless need to assert their position towards others. It’s about love and break-up, betrayal and confidences, and money as the condition for everything. Bibbs is just about to turn thirty-nine. At the same time there are those who are turning twenty-six or nineteen. Even though Bibbs lacks talent she’s been famous for a while, but the good life is beginning to slip through her fingers. And there seems to be a never-ending flow of unexpected expenditures. Like the rent. Her boyfriend Baby has always provided stability, and when he unexpectedly dumps her she is devastated. After he walks out she is also faced with an ultimatum: if she wants to keep the flat she must pay 100.000 SEK in a week. She no longer has access to that kind of money – an amount that would have been easy to find ten years ago. Bibbs is forced to make extreme decisions, and in the end the only things with an ounce of truth still in them are the lies. Tone Schunnesson’s new novel is a pitch-perfect study of success and destruction, dependence and betrayal, celebrity and anonymity. Tone Schunnesson The jury: Desperation articulated in a strong voice and with linguistic zest. Funny, clever and sarcastic. Novel, 268 p. Tone Schunnesson Publisher Norstedts Rights Norstedts agency Linda Altrov Berg linda.altrovberg@norstedts.se Rights sold to Germany/Luchterhand Denmark/Gads Finland/Johnny Kniga Photo: Märta Thisner