New Swedish Books, Autumn 2018 1
75 Autumn 2018 Melody Farshin (b. 1988) Mizeria P
ublisher Bonnier Carlsen www.bonniercarlsen.se Rights Bonnier Rights Mathilde Coffy mathilde.coffy@ bonnierrights.se Melody Farshin is a well known stand up artist, and writer. Mizeria is her first published book. “ Both have always done well in school, and yet all they can find are low paid hourly rate jobs.” Mizeria Twins Ali and Aicha grow up in a Stockholm suburb, one of those you rather avoid mentioning when applying for a job. The hood. When they’re small it’s as if they live the same life, share the same friends, do the same things. But since they became teenagers they’re faced with completely different expectations. Both have always done well in school, and yet all they can find are low paid hourly rate jobs. All in anticipation of something else: an education, a career, a family. Ali’s best friend Osman made a career for himself when he was only thirteen. Of another kind. The dangerous kind. And yet he continues to be close to his family. For as long as is possible. In a kind of multi-facetted collective novel, with a number of different voices and changing narrative perspectives, Melody Farshin’s debut captures vulnerable lives that still go on even when bordering on hopelessness. Through her sharp sense for language and her keen ear for trends and popculture signifiers a story emerges that is both deeply personal and politically urgent. Photo: Caroline Andersson