The steel spring

Inspector Jensen #2

by Per Wahlöö, Joan Tate (Translator)

NY 1970 1st (stated) Delacorte Press. 8vo., 187pp., cloth. VG in VG DJ, light soiling, one or two small closed tears at top edge.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Detective, Swedish Literature

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Per Fredrik Wahlöö (5 August 1926 - 22 June 1975) was a Swedish author. He is perhaps best known for the collaborative work with his partner Maj Sjöwall on a series of ten novels about the exploits of Martin Beck, a police detective in Stockholm, published between 1965 and 1975. In 1971, The Laughing Policeman (a translation of Den skrattande polisen, originally published in 1968) won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Novel. Wahlöö and Sjöwall also wrote novels separately.

Wahlöö was born in Tölö parish, Kungsbacka Municipality, Halland. After his studies, from 1946 onwards he worked as a crime reporter. After long trips around the world he returned to Sweden and started working as a journalist again.

He had a 13 year relationship with his colleague Maj Sjöwall but never married [1] Both were Marxists.

He has been married to Inger Wahlöö, née Andersson. He was brother to Claes Wahlöö.

He died of cancer at Malmö in 1975, aged 48.


Series written with Maj Sjöwall:
* Martin Beck

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Per Wahlöö’s Chief Inspector Jensen series is quite unlike any other Scandi crime series I’ve ever read. While there are echoes of Detective Martin Beck, Wahlöö’s protagonist in the 10 volume series co-authored with partner Maj Sjöwall, Inspector Jensen is not a detective in the ordinary fictional sense. “A man of normal build and ordinary appearance with short grey hair and an impassive expression”, the crimes he investigates are somewhat political in nature and the solving of them is not so much resolving but exposing and unpacking the social and political ‘crimes’ of the times.

The Steel Spring is the second and final book featuring Inspector Jensen, written in 1968, exposing more of Wahlöö’s socialist Marxist leanings than actually telling a story. In fact, the novel mainly consists of dialogue between Jensen a small number of characters.

At the crux of this story is the disintegration of order, first realised when Jensen tries to return to his unnamed country after a period of absence only to find borders closed, communication ceased, in the grip of an apparent epidemic. For me the message that permeates is the unintended or intended consequences of political, social, medical intervention on a society that occurs overtime - with devastating effect that perhaps were realised, perhaps were even planned - but when arrived creates a further exacerbating situation to be managed. There are countless examples.

There’s also a sense of how slavish society is to large conglomerates, political ideologies and so called technological advances that creep in and enslave us all. Take mobile phones in 2024… I’m not sure if Wahlöö was speaking about such things but I can certainly see parallels.

Anyway a very intriguing read - a very unusual story - almost a political non-fiction. 4 stars.

[Vladimir Ivanov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Наверное, самая мрачная антиутопия Валё. Печальный, но закономерный финал развития общества, описанного в первой книге дилогии. В стране, где всем на всё наплевать и никто ничего не контролирует, для краха цивилизации не нужны никакие злодеи - достаточно одной ненамеренной ошибки управления, и возникает нарастающий каскад, казалось бы, не связанных между собой проблем - политические волнения, аресты, похищения, эпидемии, расстрелы...

Комиссар Йенсен, конечно, в финале докопается до сути случившегося и свяжет все логические нити, но страну уже не спасти.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part detective novel without any detecting; part waking-up-after-the-zombie-apocalypse thriller without a zombie apocalypse; part social critique without a coherent agenda. Surprisingly engaging!

[Richard Toscan · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Steel Spring is a heavy-handed lesson in why you can't write from a theme as opposed to a story. Per Wahloo was an avowed Marxist and has attempted a Marxist critique of a future Sweden (though the country is unnamed in the novel), based on the not unreasonable concept that the liberal Social Democrats have combined with the trade unions to exploit the workers for capitalist benefit. The result is a dystopian society prefiguring what has now become the sandbox of YA novels and Hollywood films. It's about as compelling as those socialist realist novels cranked out under Stalin. Here, Wahloo creates a dunderhead of a detective who's incapable of understanding evidence or solving a case and whose main function is to ask repetitive questions of two other characters who happen to understand what's happened for the last 75% of the novel. So we have lots of "And then what happened?"

And so you might ask, why did I keep reading this thing? Mainly because I thoroughly enjoyed the ten-book series that Wahloo wrote after this one with his wife, Maj Sjowall, featuring the brilliant detective, Martin Beck. These are the novels that introduced the concept of Scandinavian Noir in the 1960s and have had such a strong impact on current writing of fiction and television scripts in the Nordic countries today. The Martin Beck series supposedly carries the same theme -- the double crossing of the real socialist movement in Sweden which then brought on the country's social ills -- but in such a subtle way that hardly any readers (this one included) understood the point. My guess is the Martin Beck series was an alternate attempt to draw us in to their political thesis by disguising it under plot instead of turning us off the way The Steel Spring does. It's worth saying that the problem is not in the Marxist agenda, but in the heavy handed way it's pushed at the expense of story. If you're interested in writing fiction, Steel Spring is a fine lesson in the need to balance theme and story and the danger of novels driven primarily by theme rather than plot.

[Kuszma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olvashatósági szempontból ideális könyv, másfél óra tömegközlekedés után azon kaptam magam, hogy hínnye, már a 170 oldalon tartok. Mi lesz, ha befejezem? Mit fogok olvasni akkor? (A tartalék könyvemet, azt. Mindig legyen nálatok tartalék könyv!) Sok párbeszéd, pörgős cselekmény, feszes mondatok és kellemes betűméret-lapméret kombináció – skandináv politikai (és orvosi) thriller némi utópisztikus beütéssel a társadalmi közönyről, a hatalmasok gonoszságáról és arról, hogy... és ezt most tényleg el fogom spoilerezni! de komolyan! én szóltam… szóval hogy az orvosbárók diktatúrája alkalmasint rosszabb, mint amit Lenin valaha is megálmodott - de azért összességében mindenért a kapitalizmus a hibás.

Mintha egy lejtőn rohannánk lefelé, olyan haladni könyvben. Csak sajnos ezen a lejtőn számos kidőlt farönk és alattomos gödör akadályozza a komfortérzet kiteljesedését. A metaforikus kidőlt farönk az, hogy elképesztően didaktikus szakaszok vannak ám a szövegben – Wahlöö nem rejti véka alá, hogy ő bizony a kapitalizmust veszedelmesebb és elidegenítőbb izébizének tartja, mint a szocializmust, ami nyilvánvalóan szíve joga, de amikor egyes szereplői masszív tömbmonológokban fejtik ki ennek miértjeit, az üti a dinamikát. Az alattomos gödör meg az, hogy én ezt a szöveget nem hiszem el. Mert ez így, ahogy Wahlöö leírja, egész egyszerűen valószínűtlen. Hogy a XX. század második felében, Európában egy ország hermetikusan elzáródjon a külvilágtól, de annyira, hogy pont egy májműtétből* lábadozó nyomozót kell beküldeni oda, hogy valami információt összeszedjen? Peeersze. És az a helyzet, hogy minél tovább haladunk előre a regényben, annál valószínűtlenebb. Pedig hát a politikai thrillerek (pláne, ha utópisztikusak!) kulcsa a valószerűség, ez adja meg az egésznek a tétjét. Egy tét nélküli politikai thriller csak arra, jó, hogy 250 oldallal növelje az idei évben elolvasott oldalak számát. Ami azért nem csekélység, csak bő két órát kellett ebben a langyosban töltenem érte.

[Brent Legault · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two-thirds of this novel were masterful and understated. Wahloo's end-of-the-world (or rather end-of-a-country) scenario was realistic and even laconically artistic, but most importantly, not at all melodramatic or hyperbolic or silly. Unfortunately, the final third of the book comes to a standstill of rather dull and unnecessary exposition. Imagine if Cormac McCarthy had explained everything to us in The Road. Or if Wittgenstein's Mistress would have had a "revealing" epilogue.

Now I know I'm unfairly comparing two different genres (mystery to literary), but I wish this particular mystery had allowed some of the mystery to linger. It would have made for a more interesting read.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you see that an "inspector" investigates you might be misled that this is a crime story. And if you know that Per Wahlöö is known as a "introducing social issues and debates" into his novels, you might think that some social grievances are shown in this novel.

If you have this kind of preconceptions, you are in for a surprise. This is not "nordic noir" novel, but a very strange and exciting, and highly political dystopican novel. I liked it a lot. But I would also completely understand if somebody would not be able to appreciate this story.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spare writing and deceptively simple characters. Interesting read considering the context and perspective of the time/place in which it was written but especially chilling to read now, in 2020.

[julia ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75
bardzo dobrze wykreowany swiat, ciekawie przedstawione spoleczenstwo i zasady panujacy w kraju
specyficzne pioro, momentami zle czytalo sie te malo rozbudowane zdania

[Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was more intense they the first novel. I’d say it was the better one too. Beautifully written and not as dry to the touch as the first. As to the political perspectives, think of when it was written and the society it was constructed under.

Ps. If you don’t like Marxist or Left Wing commentary, the book might not be as enjoyable to you.

Now I must seek out a Beck novel.

[Astrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Das las sich stellenweise wie eine Bibel der Querdenker :-)

Lakonisch und karg, düster und voll wilder Fantasie - und ein bisschen arg ideologisch gesellschaftskritisch aufgeladen.
Aber der Kommissar mit seiner Sturheit und völligen Emotionslosigkeit, Mischung aus Monster und Fels in der Brandung, reißt's raus.

[Dorotka Jns · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5
to jest bez sensu znaczy widzę tutaj dużo chęci ale no

[Clarepwalker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prescient

[Catta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Titolo italiano: L'epidemia. Chissà perché l'edizione italiana non c'è su Anobii. In ogni caso storia un po' strampalata, inconcludente anche se lo spunto di partenza era promettente.

[Hans van der Ven]

DNF. Wat en flutboek(je) !

[Stephen Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting that it was written in the 60s and sounds like the COVID pandamit

[Mark Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like the Beck books. This is nearer Science Fiction than crime. Great atmosphere is created in this nameless country. The author enjoys the opportunity to write about politics and the uses of state power.

[Taksya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comprato solo per il titolo (se c'è una epidemia nel titolo o nella trama difficilmente resisto, indipendentemente dal tipo di epidemia), senza prima indagare su chi fosse l'autore o se il volume in questione facesse parte o meno di una serie.
Solitamente tendo a prendere gli autori nordici con le pinze, dopo varie letture inzio a trovarli poco attraenti, ma il titolo, come già detto, ha fatto da specchietto.
Fortunatamente è solo il secondo di una serie di due titoli - il primo è Delitto al trentunesimo piano - ma non so se la cosa potrebbe istigarmi a leggere il primo capitolo della storia dell'Ispettore Jensen.
Il paese, mai nominato (ma si presuppone la Svezia), è ben descritto nella sua politica e nelle abitudini anche nel secondo volume e, nella sua essenza di thriller fantapolitico, non mi icnuriosisce al punto da approfondire la storia.
Tutto, epidemia compresa, sembra solo una scusa per criticare un certo modo di fare politica o di gestire i problemi sociali che, da quanto letto in altri romanzi di autori nordici, non è poi così distante dalla realtà dei fatti. Solo un filo più estremi che nella nostra attualità.
Seguire le vicende personali di Jensen è fastidioso, per l'antipatia di quasi tutti i personaggi più che per il probabile futuro mostrato e, in questo caso, non posso neppure dare la colpa al fatto che il romanzo possa essere datato (che mi sono accorta molto dopo che era stato scritto nel '68), visto che la situazione ucronica (ma forse è troppo definirla così) potrebbe essere ancora possibile e non è stata sconfessata dall'evoluzione della socità presa in esame dallo scrittore.
Si trappa proprio di un romanzo che descrive poco e lascia ancora meno.
La seconda stelletta è solo per l'epidemia che, sotto sotto, è stata gestita in maniera originale per quanto riguarda la sua genesi.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the last novel that Per Wahloo wrote on his own. (see Fantastic Fiction) All the later ones, the last six in the ten title Martin Beck series, were written in partnership with Maj Sjowal. THE STEEL SPRING is the only one of his stand-alone novels that I have read so far, although I have some more on my radar.

Although crimes have obviously been committed, the plot is not really crime fiction, but rather is dystopian, emerging from his Marxist-based vision of where Swedish society is headed. It is heavily infused with disillusionment and scary messages. In contrast to other dystopian novels that I have read, it is not a world apocalypse that will destroy Sweden, but rather it will self-combust.

He does not name Sweden in the novel, probably to escape some sort of prosecution, but every one who read the novel at the time would know which country he was referring to. Hakan Nesser uses a similar ploy in his novels set in an unnamed Scandinavian country, although I don't think his have the political overtones of THE STEEL SPRING (and perhaps others by Per Wahloo).

Although there is at least one mystery strand, the tone of the novel is polemic and didactic, and will not suit some readers. On the other hand it reminded me of FAHRENHEIT 451 (Ray Bradbury), NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Cormac McCarthy), and Chris Womersley's THE LOW ROAD. And it is not unknown for crime fiction writers to convey social messages through their work (think about Ian Rankin, Henning Mankell and others).

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw The Steel Spring in a bookshop and noticed that it was written by a co-author of the Martin Beck crime series, I snapped it up.

Set in an unnamed country, the novel centres on Inspector Jensen, a patient who is about to go abroad for a transplant operation. His last official act before leaving is to issue warrants for the arrest of a number of doctors, including his own.

When Jensen recovers, he is contacted by some government figures who advise him that there is something mysterious going on at home and communications are down. They order him to go back to find out what is going on, and report back. When he returns, Jensen soon discovers that the country seems to be in the grip of a massive epidemic, and society is falling apart.

Per Wahloo wrote this dystopian novel in 1968 when the Beck series was at its height - the same year of publication as The Laughing Policeman. It's nothing like the Beck novels though, being far more polemical in nature. Wahloo and Sjowall were both Marxists, and they used the Beck novels to convey their criticisms of Swedish society at the time. Where the Beck novels did this subtly, Wahloo goes in hard here; The Steel Spring is an unsubtle diatribe against capitalism and right-wing politics only barely disguised as a mystery novel. Probably too unsubtle for me.

[davidjeffersonmarriott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story well written

Totally baffling didn't get into the story line until late on into the book but it was spellbinding. Character's were well written. Thanks 🤔

[Silvia269 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Il commissario Jensen è umano quanto un ciocco di legno,parla a monosillabi, non sembra avere alcuna reazione od opinione personale riguardo a quanto accade nella sua città, la frase più ricorrente "Jensen rimase in silenzio". Per il resto la storia almeno inizialmente lasciava ben sperare, dopo si perde sempre più in disquisizioni puramente a carattere politico trascurando però l'aspetto narrativo, andando poi a scadere in un finale banale ed evidentemente forzato, dato che quel che si deduce è che la storia era solo un pretesto per consentire all'autore di criticare aspramente una certa classe politica.

[Ronny De Schepper]

"Een ernstige epidemische ziekte is in de stad uitgebroken. Ten gevolge hiervan is een verbod op bijeenkomsten uitgevaardigd. Verzamelingen van meer dan drie personen zijn niet toegestaan. Alle burgers, die niet in overheidsdienst werkzaam zijn, worden gemaand thuis te blijven. Scholen en alle particuliere bedrijven met meer dan drie werknemers moeten onmiddellijk sluiten..." (p.58) Klinkt bekend, hé? Nochtans is dit Per Wahlöö in 1968. Eigenlijk was het mijn vrouw die het boek heeft gelezen (ikzelf zit nog altijd volop in "David Copperfield"), maar dit vond ik toch het vermelden waard...

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book with a precise detective who reminds me a little of the tv series Monk, a detective who suffers from OCD. An interesting take on what would happen to a society where everything is 'perfect'. Scary in that I can see elements of that today's society. No one means harm, no one thinks bad thoughts. And yet ...

[Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was extremely creepy, a good balance between post-apocalyptic tale and detective novel. Because the author has been dead for more than 3 decades, some of the political topics mentioned are very dated. But it is still a well-written thriller and the author is a master at building up tension while revealing just enough to keep us hooked.

[Massimo Carcano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Per Wahloo è un grande della letteratura gialla, probabilmente il papà di tutti quei fenomeni scandinavi che si aggirano oggi per le nostre librerie, però a volte anche i grandi sbagliano. Ecco, questo è uno di quei casi. Trama debole debole e assolutamente surreale, commissario inesistente, poco pathos e finale ridicolo. Capita!

[Natasciaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scritto nel 1968 adesso mette i brividi:
"Una grave malattia epidemica è scoppiata in città. Di conseguenza si decreta il divieto di riunione. Non sono consentiti raggruppamenti che superino le tre persone... Le scuole e tutti i posti di lavoro privati con piú di tre dipendenti verranno immediatamente chiusi... Osservate la massima pulizia possibile delle mani"

[Luca Gonella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Il romanzo non mi è piaciuto particolarmente. La trama è banale, trita e ritrita, e il libro è decisamente troppo corto per trattare come si deve di un argomento ampio come questo. Nella trama compare un'epidemia mortale, intrighi politici, azione e tanto altro, ma non si può sviluppare tutto questo nell'arco di una trama così breve.

[Stephen Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

More conventionally entertaining than its predecessor but less atmospheric, less beguiling. Still excellent. I wish Wahlöö had written more Jensen books. Perhaps he did and they have not been translated. Jensen is the complete opposite of the usual crime novel detective, and probably a hard sell, especially to Americans.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was first published in 1968 and like "Murder on the thirty-first floor" features Inspector Jensen. Like the previous book this is more like science fiction than detective fiction though Jensen is a really dogged detective. This is a grim story though there is hope at the end.