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Shadow
In a nondescript apartment block in Stockholm, most of the residents are elderly. Usually a death is a sad but straightforward event. But sometimes a resident will die and there are no friends or family to contact. This is when Marianne Folkesson arrives, employed by the state to close up a life with dignity and respect. Gerda Persson has lain dead in her apartment for three days before Marianne is called. When she arrives, she finds the apartment tidy and ordered. Gerda's life seems to have been quite ordinary. Until Marianne opens the freezer and finds it full of books, neatly stacked and wrapped in clingfilm, a thick layer of ice covering them. They are all by Axel Ragnerfeldt, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, with handwritten dedications to Gerda from the author. What story do these books have to tell, about Gerda, and more importantly about Ragnerfeldt, a man whose fame is without precedent in the nation's cultural life, but seldom gives interviews?
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
24 people are currently reading
1050 people want to read
About the author
Karin Alvtegen
23 books177 followersThe Queen of Crime in Scandinavia.
Missing was awarded the premier Scandinavian crime writing award the Glass Key in 2001 and was also nominated for the Poloni Award and Best Crime Novel 2000 in Sweden.
Shame was shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie International Dagger award for crime novels in translation upon publication in English.
Alvtegen lives in Stockholm. She is grand-niece of the popular children's novelist Astrid Lindgren.
Missing was awarded the premier Scandinavian crime writing award the Glass Key in 2001 and was also nominated for the Poloni Award and Best Crime Novel 2000 in Sweden.
Shame was shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie International Dagger award for crime novels in translation upon publication in English.
Alvtegen lives in Stockholm. She is grand-niece of the popular children's novelist Astrid Lindgren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
February 24, 2015
The single most positive aspect of this novel is the beautifully written prose. The words seem to speak directly to the reader in a heart-touching and sometimes heart-wrenching way.
I’ll admit this is one of those novels where the cover art drew me in. Who can resist an adorable little boy?
Then I read the blurb at the back which told me that this little boy was abandoned and was somehow connected to the death thirty five years later of a 92 year old woman who had books in her freezer upon her death… That was enough to capture the attention of any bibliophile. Too old to be the boy’s mother, how could this woman be connected to him?
The novel was a mystery, but not written in the traditional way. In fact the reader does not really know what the crime(s) were until close to the end of the book. When the circumstances are revealed it left me both disturbed and profoundly moved.
Set in Stockholm, the novel followed the life and family of Axel Ragnerfeldt, a famous and Nobel Prize winning novelist. (the author of the books in the freezer). The novel poses the question: How much is glory and fame really worth, when counted in the suffering of the people closest to you? His family were portrayed with such depth and empathy that the reader felt their hopelessness. The claustrophobic family ties, mysterious disappearances and dark secrets surrounding a man shrouded in myth were portrayed with an honesty and brutality that spoke of deep understanding. The theme of how the sins of the fathers are visited upon their children is not a new one, but Alvtegen’s prose brought the theme home to me like no other book ever has. “No matter whether your action is evil or good, it spreads like rings on the water. Over vast expanses it will travel, finding ever new paths. That is why your influence is infinite, and also your guilt.”
“Shadow” is the first novel I’ve read by Karin Alvtegen and I will read as many more as I can get hold of. That being said, this novel was not exactly uplifting. In fact I would go as far as to say that anyone suffering from seasonal affective disorder should not read this book in the winter. The overall tone was bleak and melancholy. To quote the novel’s description on the author’s website, “her darkest and most complex thriller to date, in which the disturbing truth of a sick family is gradually and mercilessly laid bare. ” Highly recommended.
I’ll admit this is one of those novels where the cover art drew me in. Who can resist an adorable little boy?
Then I read the blurb at the back which told me that this little boy was abandoned and was somehow connected to the death thirty five years later of a 92 year old woman who had books in her freezer upon her death… That was enough to capture the attention of any bibliophile. Too old to be the boy’s mother, how could this woman be connected to him?
The novel was a mystery, but not written in the traditional way. In fact the reader does not really know what the crime(s) were until close to the end of the book. When the circumstances are revealed it left me both disturbed and profoundly moved.
Set in Stockholm, the novel followed the life and family of Axel Ragnerfeldt, a famous and Nobel Prize winning novelist. (the author of the books in the freezer). The novel poses the question: How much is glory and fame really worth, when counted in the suffering of the people closest to you? His family were portrayed with such depth and empathy that the reader felt their hopelessness. The claustrophobic family ties, mysterious disappearances and dark secrets surrounding a man shrouded in myth were portrayed with an honesty and brutality that spoke of deep understanding. The theme of how the sins of the fathers are visited upon their children is not a new one, but Alvtegen’s prose brought the theme home to me like no other book ever has. “No matter whether your action is evil or good, it spreads like rings on the water. Over vast expanses it will travel, finding ever new paths. That is why your influence is infinite, and also your guilt.”
“Shadow” is the first novel I’ve read by Karin Alvtegen and I will read as many more as I can get hold of. That being said, this novel was not exactly uplifting. In fact I would go as far as to say that anyone suffering from seasonal affective disorder should not read this book in the winter. The overall tone was bleak and melancholy. To quote the novel’s description on the author’s website, “her darkest and most complex thriller to date, in which the disturbing truth of a sick family is gradually and mercilessly laid bare. ” Highly recommended.
May 12, 2021
Shadow by Karin Alvtegen, translated from the Swedish by McKinley Burnett, is a gripping, page-turning mystery in which the crime is not revealed until late in the novel. The novel grapples with the following questions: How far are you willing to go to preserve your humanity? How far are you willing to go to protect what is yours? What price are you willing to pay to retain public acclaim? The answers are shocking.
The setting is Stockholm. A four-year-old boy is abandoned in an amusement park. He carries a note: “Take care of this child. Forgive me.” No explanation is given.
After that cryptic opening, the narrative jumps forward three decades. Marianne Folkesson, a social worker, is tasked with sorting the belongings of the recently deceased ninety-two-year-old Gerda Persson. Marianne searches for names of relatives and friends to notify them of the death. She finds books stacked in the freezer by the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Axel Ragnerfeldt. The books have personal hand-written dedications to Gerda, signed by the author. A place to start, she thinks, and begins her enquiries.
Marianne learns Gerda was the long-time housekeeper of the Ragnerfeldt family. She later learns Gerda has named a Kristoffer Sandeblom as her sole beneficiary. But when contacted by Marianne, Kristoffer claims he has never heard of Gerda Persson and has no idea why he is named in her will. Kristoffer conducts his own investigation in an effort to solve a mystery plaguing him all his life. Who is he? Who are his parents? And why did his mother abandon him at an amusement park when he was four years old? The mystery thickens.
Alvtegen’s characters are realistically drawn, distinct, and well-crafted. The surviving members of the Ragnerfeldt family are an unsavory bunch. Axel’s middle-aged son is a philandering alcoholic. His mother is cold-hearted, self-absorbed, and arrogant. His long-suffering wife is miserable in her marriage. Except for Marianne, all the characters are haunted by personal demons which are revealed through their flashbacks and interiority.
An abandoned four-year-old boy, a Nobel Prize winner and his family, the death of their nine-two-year-old housekeeper thirty-five years later. These are seemingly disparate threads. Alvtegen develops each thread along parallel lines, moving back and forth in time, and alternating between threads. Eventually, all the threads converge. The connection is unveiled. A series of lies, deceptions, thefts, and infidelities are revealed, culminating in a horrendous crime buried for thirty-five years.
Alvtegen skillfully builds the suspense, layer upon layer, with the narrative taking many unexpected twists and turns. She delves into back stories and drops clues until the pieces gradually fall into place to reveal the full extent of the horror. She adroitly explores the long-term impact of crimes, of decisions rippling with lasting repercussions, and of childhood trauma. She clothes it in a spell-binding, dark mystery that keeps one guessing until the very end.
Highly recommended.
You can find more of my book reviews at www.tamaraaghajaffar.com
The setting is Stockholm. A four-year-old boy is abandoned in an amusement park. He carries a note: “Take care of this child. Forgive me.” No explanation is given.
After that cryptic opening, the narrative jumps forward three decades. Marianne Folkesson, a social worker, is tasked with sorting the belongings of the recently deceased ninety-two-year-old Gerda Persson. Marianne searches for names of relatives and friends to notify them of the death. She finds books stacked in the freezer by the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Axel Ragnerfeldt. The books have personal hand-written dedications to Gerda, signed by the author. A place to start, she thinks, and begins her enquiries.
Marianne learns Gerda was the long-time housekeeper of the Ragnerfeldt family. She later learns Gerda has named a Kristoffer Sandeblom as her sole beneficiary. But when contacted by Marianne, Kristoffer claims he has never heard of Gerda Persson and has no idea why he is named in her will. Kristoffer conducts his own investigation in an effort to solve a mystery plaguing him all his life. Who is he? Who are his parents? And why did his mother abandon him at an amusement park when he was four years old? The mystery thickens.
Alvtegen’s characters are realistically drawn, distinct, and well-crafted. The surviving members of the Ragnerfeldt family are an unsavory bunch. Axel’s middle-aged son is a philandering alcoholic. His mother is cold-hearted, self-absorbed, and arrogant. His long-suffering wife is miserable in her marriage. Except for Marianne, all the characters are haunted by personal demons which are revealed through their flashbacks and interiority.
An abandoned four-year-old boy, a Nobel Prize winner and his family, the death of their nine-two-year-old housekeeper thirty-five years later. These are seemingly disparate threads. Alvtegen develops each thread along parallel lines, moving back and forth in time, and alternating between threads. Eventually, all the threads converge. The connection is unveiled. A series of lies, deceptions, thefts, and infidelities are revealed, culminating in a horrendous crime buried for thirty-five years.
Alvtegen skillfully builds the suspense, layer upon layer, with the narrative taking many unexpected twists and turns. She delves into back stories and drops clues until the pieces gradually fall into place to reveal the full extent of the horror. She adroitly explores the long-term impact of crimes, of decisions rippling with lasting repercussions, and of childhood trauma. She clothes it in a spell-binding, dark mystery that keeps one guessing until the very end.
Highly recommended.
You can find more of my book reviews at www.tamaraaghajaffar.com
March 26, 2022
Labai įtaigi knyga, 'psichologinis trileris' daugiau nei įprastas detektyvas. Bet paliko bjaurumo nuosėdas ir didelį abejojimą žmogiškumu. Nėra mėgstamiausias mano žanras, bet gera knyga.
April 29, 2022
Kai dirbau knygyne prieš gerus dešimt metų - buvau atradusi ne vieną puikų autorių/autorę ar kūrinį. Vienas iš tokių atradimų buvo Karin Alvtegen knygos, kurių keletą buvau pamačiusi per Išpardavimą, o kainavo juokingai mažai (kiekvienas kūrinys tik po kelis litus), kai tokia kaina - negali nepirkti. Vilniaus Moterų Knygų Klubo dėka antrąkart perskaičiau kūrinį - spėjau perskaityti iki klubo narių susitikimo, o kartu savo nuomonę norėjosi palyginti su kitų perskaičiusiųjų"Šešėlį".
Kiek pamenu, kad prieš dešimtmetį skaitytas "Šešėlis" buvo tada palikęs įspūdį, tik po kurio laiko siužetas buvo išdylęs iš atminties. Skaičiau ir vėl aikčiojau bei kraupau nuo aprašomų įvykių, kurie vienas už kitą buvo baisesni bei žiauresni, kurie kartu parodė ar žmogus turi sąžinę, iki kiek gali ristis...Taip, tai nebuvo emociškai lengvas kūrinys, bet dėl sukurtos atmosferos, veikėjų bei jų gyvenimams skirtų dramų - vertinu tik aukščiausiu balu.
Kiek pamenu, kad prieš dešimtmetį skaitytas "Šešėlis" buvo tada palikęs įspūdį, tik po kurio laiko siužetas buvo išdylęs iš atminties. Skaičiau ir vėl aikčiojau bei kraupau nuo aprašomų įvykių, kurie vienas už kitą buvo baisesni bei žiauresni, kurie kartu parodė ar žmogus turi sąžinę, iki kiek gali ristis...Taip, tai nebuvo emociškai lengvas kūrinys, bet dėl sukurtos atmosferos, veikėjų bei jų gyvenimams skirtų dramų - vertinu tik aukščiausiu balu.
June 28, 2011
Without wanting to appear negative, I didn’t like this book much at all.
The story starts with the abandoned young boy and quickly moves to the death of Gerda Persson. The books of Nobel Prize winner Axel Ragnerfeldt are found in the freezer and so we begin.
Straight away, the characters are really difficult to like - we have a recovering alcoholic prone to wandering off into rambling social commentary (which has no relevance to the story and seems to be a way for the author to vent her views), a privileged but completely ungrateful misogynist and his worn down wife. I couldn’t find sympathy for any of them - Gerda Persson sums it up perfectly: “…I’m content and you’re not. You’re always chasing after what you imagine you could become”. She is addressing the famous Axel himself but it could apply to all of the key characters here.
As you might have guessed, Alvtegen splits her narrative between the past and the present. I actually liked this to some extent - for example, Louise is the long-suffering wife of the borderline alcoholic and general philanderer, Jan-Erik. Through her eyes, we see general confusion at his behaviour and then we witness the actions as they happen and understand their relationship that little bit better.
However, as events pan out, this technique becomes a little worn and the story flits all over in an attempt to hastily rap everything up. And herein lies my biggest problem with this book. The “revelations” at the end of this book come thick and fast and they become rapidly more shocking. Unfortunately, not in a good way. It really is difficult to explain why I disliked this so much without massive spoilers. Let me say this: I have no problem with ‘dark’ themes in my books. What I do have a problem with are events which are so abhorrent that I can’t help but feel the story is cheapened and the author is simply employing shock tactics.
And why were the books in the freezer? I still have no idea whatsoever…
Overall: This really isn’t a “crime novel” as I would imagine them. Yes, there are crimes, but the book is more about the effects of the crimes than the acts themselves. I would only recommend this to adults who aren’t too sensitive and aren’t opposed to reading about the darker side of humanity.
The story starts with the abandoned young boy and quickly moves to the death of Gerda Persson. The books of Nobel Prize winner Axel Ragnerfeldt are found in the freezer and so we begin.
Straight away, the characters are really difficult to like - we have a recovering alcoholic prone to wandering off into rambling social commentary (which has no relevance to the story and seems to be a way for the author to vent her views), a privileged but completely ungrateful misogynist and his worn down wife. I couldn’t find sympathy for any of them - Gerda Persson sums it up perfectly: “…I’m content and you’re not. You’re always chasing after what you imagine you could become”. She is addressing the famous Axel himself but it could apply to all of the key characters here.
As you might have guessed, Alvtegen splits her narrative between the past and the present. I actually liked this to some extent - for example, Louise is the long-suffering wife of the borderline alcoholic and general philanderer, Jan-Erik. Through her eyes, we see general confusion at his behaviour and then we witness the actions as they happen and understand their relationship that little bit better.
However, as events pan out, this technique becomes a little worn and the story flits all over in an attempt to hastily rap everything up. And herein lies my biggest problem with this book. The “revelations” at the end of this book come thick and fast and they become rapidly more shocking. Unfortunately, not in a good way. It really is difficult to explain why I disliked this so much without massive spoilers. Let me say this: I have no problem with ‘dark’ themes in my books. What I do have a problem with are events which are so abhorrent that I can’t help but feel the story is cheapened and the author is simply employing shock tactics.
And why were the books in the freezer? I still have no idea whatsoever…
Overall: This really isn’t a “crime novel” as I would imagine them. Yes, there are crimes, but the book is more about the effects of the crimes than the acts themselves. I would only recommend this to adults who aren’t too sensitive and aren’t opposed to reading about the darker side of humanity.
January 29, 2012
This was an excellent story. It lived up to my expectations as I've read other Karin Alvtegen stories and enjoyed them immensely. She develops the story very nicely, introducing characters in each chapter and telling the story through their eyes. Each person is well-crafted, has their own individual personalities, their own faults. The story starts with the death of Gerda Persson, a lady who had previously been the house maid for a famour literary family. The preparations for her funeral will change many lives and bring people together who did not know each other existed. There are many surprises and an excellent ending, even if not what I expected. Karin Alvtegen is an excellent mystery writer, very unique style. Highly recommended.
November 6, 2016
Дуже люблю скандинавські детективні історії за психологізм. Ця от - про те, на які жертви може піти людина, щоб зберегти зовнішню пристойність свого життя. А ще тут багато літератури, головні герої письменники і захопила мене ця книжка так, що як зранку занурилася, так ввечері і змогла відірватися, аж на останній сторінці.
April 8, 2022
Pradžia buvo lėtoka, neaiški, bet vėliau knyga įtraukė, sudomino ir vis norėjosi versti puslapį po puslapio, kad sužinočiau, kas vyko toliau. O pabaiga man buvo per staigi, pet trumpa. Tiek laiko vystėsi veiksmas ir jį tiesiog staiga nutraukė. Kita vertus - liko vietos pamąstymams apie veikėjus bei jų poelgius.
May 7, 2013
"One always has a choice. After that it's a whole matter as to what takes priority."
Um livro envolvente que nos conta a história de quatro gerações de uma família - os Ragnerfeldt. Karin Alvtegen desvenda os segredos e os laços que unem os maridos, as esposas, os pais e os filhos, as rivalidades profissionais entre amigos e as relações entre patrões e empregados.
"Shadow" é o nome do último livro do patriarca da família Ragnerfeldt, um homem poderoso que vivência a decadência dos últimos anos da sua vida. Numa família marcada pela criatividade, expressão e amor pela escrita, o papel do autor e o seu trabalho são destacados.
Um romance poderoso que torna muito difícil fazer pausas durante a leitura. Foi através das personagens reais, com sentimentos quase palpáveis e atitudes humanas, que vivi acontecimentos trágicos, apaixonantes e marcantes, que vão muito além da compreensão das pessoas que os vivem. Como espetadora, senti alegria, medo, esperança, desilusão e tristeza. A escritora sueca não nos deixa de fora do seu enredo, muito pelo contrário, torna-nos uma parte integrante, ainda que silenciosa.
"Shadow" é um livro com muitas camadas, que nos leva numa viagem profunda sobre adaptação social e biológica da consciência humana. Mais do que um retrato de relações familiares e experiências relativas ao processo de escrita criativa, com eventos históricos com palco principal, este livro caracteriza maravilhosamente a amizade, a traição, a paixão, a raiva, a lealdade, o poder, o respeito, a esperança, a ambição, os sonhos, a solidão e todo um espectro de emoções e sentimentos.
As personagens, principais e secundárias, são detalhadamente apresentadas. Sentindo ou não simpatia por elas, sendo pessoas melhores ou piores, todas têm a mesmo oportunidade de contar a história pelas suas palavras e apresentar o seu ponto de vista.
Kristoffer está numa busca permanente pelo significado da sua existência; Halina luta, desde que se lembra, para curar as feridas deixadas por um passado horrível; Louise esforça-se por ultrapassar a sua dependência num homem que nunca a amou; Axel apercebe-se do medo da morte. O enredo é inteligente, complexo, surpreendente e realista.
A narrativa intercala o passado com o presente, criando uma harmonia entre os dois tempos, à medida que pinta uma imagem sombria da humanidade
Um livro sobre livros e uma família.
Um livro envolvente que nos conta a história de quatro gerações de uma família - os Ragnerfeldt. Karin Alvtegen desvenda os segredos e os laços que unem os maridos, as esposas, os pais e os filhos, as rivalidades profissionais entre amigos e as relações entre patrões e empregados.
"Shadow" é o nome do último livro do patriarca da família Ragnerfeldt, um homem poderoso que vivência a decadência dos últimos anos da sua vida. Numa família marcada pela criatividade, expressão e amor pela escrita, o papel do autor e o seu trabalho são destacados.
Um romance poderoso que torna muito difícil fazer pausas durante a leitura. Foi através das personagens reais, com sentimentos quase palpáveis e atitudes humanas, que vivi acontecimentos trágicos, apaixonantes e marcantes, que vão muito além da compreensão das pessoas que os vivem. Como espetadora, senti alegria, medo, esperança, desilusão e tristeza. A escritora sueca não nos deixa de fora do seu enredo, muito pelo contrário, torna-nos uma parte integrante, ainda que silenciosa.
"Shadow" é um livro com muitas camadas, que nos leva numa viagem profunda sobre adaptação social e biológica da consciência humana. Mais do que um retrato de relações familiares e experiências relativas ao processo de escrita criativa, com eventos históricos com palco principal, este livro caracteriza maravilhosamente a amizade, a traição, a paixão, a raiva, a lealdade, o poder, o respeito, a esperança, a ambição, os sonhos, a solidão e todo um espectro de emoções e sentimentos.
As personagens, principais e secundárias, são detalhadamente apresentadas. Sentindo ou não simpatia por elas, sendo pessoas melhores ou piores, todas têm a mesmo oportunidade de contar a história pelas suas palavras e apresentar o seu ponto de vista.
Kristoffer está numa busca permanente pelo significado da sua existência; Halina luta, desde que se lembra, para curar as feridas deixadas por um passado horrível; Louise esforça-se por ultrapassar a sua dependência num homem que nunca a amou; Axel apercebe-se do medo da morte. O enredo é inteligente, complexo, surpreendente e realista.
A narrativa intercala o passado com o presente, criando uma harmonia entre os dois tempos, à medida que pinta uma imagem sombria da humanidade
Um livro sobre livros e uma família.
November 3, 2011
Did you ever wonder why you had a particular book in hand? When I finally got down to reading “Shadow” I questioned why and how long it had been on my tattered wish list, and why I had past it over for so long. Now I ask myself why I waited so long to read it.
The novel is a psychological crime thriller about dark secrets, the price of fame and how the search for public approval can drive some to make unsound decisions that have lasting or tragic repercussions. It also touches the impact our childhood has on the rest of our life.
One often describes a book as hot and hard to put aside, this is surely a true description of this one. The story is one with depth, many layers and full of secrets and rivalries between the characters. As this dynamic book progresses we are plunged deep into the history of four generations of the Ragnerfeldt family and we learn more about their connection with Kristopher, the little boy abandoned yes ago. “Shadow” is a literary closet filled with skeletons of the past…
The novel begins with a brief flashback to 1975 when a boy was discovered abandoned at an amusement park with a short note seeking a better life for him. Fast forward to the present day and the plot tightens with the death of an old woman – Gerda Persson, the former housekeeper of the highly respected Nobel Laureate Axel Ragnerfeldt. With Gerda’s passing a door opens into the real life of the Ragnerfeldt family, a life full of infidelity and dark secrets…..
The plot builds slowly with multiple story threads that go back and forth in time, skillfully creating a suspense that is lively and thought provoking. Each player is introduced one by one, each with their own theme and their own story building a page-turning drama only a gifted storyteller could master.
Although “Shadow” is a gripping and absorbing tale of murder, I was nevertheless disappointed with the ending, it left the fate of many characters in limbo and I wonder if the author has something up her sleeve for the future.
The novel is a psychological crime thriller about dark secrets, the price of fame and how the search for public approval can drive some to make unsound decisions that have lasting or tragic repercussions. It also touches the impact our childhood has on the rest of our life.
One often describes a book as hot and hard to put aside, this is surely a true description of this one. The story is one with depth, many layers and full of secrets and rivalries between the characters. As this dynamic book progresses we are plunged deep into the history of four generations of the Ragnerfeldt family and we learn more about their connection with Kristopher, the little boy abandoned yes ago. “Shadow” is a literary closet filled with skeletons of the past…
The novel begins with a brief flashback to 1975 when a boy was discovered abandoned at an amusement park with a short note seeking a better life for him. Fast forward to the present day and the plot tightens with the death of an old woman – Gerda Persson, the former housekeeper of the highly respected Nobel Laureate Axel Ragnerfeldt. With Gerda’s passing a door opens into the real life of the Ragnerfeldt family, a life full of infidelity and dark secrets…..
The plot builds slowly with multiple story threads that go back and forth in time, skillfully creating a suspense that is lively and thought provoking. Each player is introduced one by one, each with their own theme and their own story building a page-turning drama only a gifted storyteller could master.
Although “Shadow” is a gripping and absorbing tale of murder, I was nevertheless disappointed with the ending, it left the fate of many characters in limbo and I wonder if the author has something up her sleeve for the future.
November 1, 2015
I've thoroughly enjoyed the three previous Alvtegen novels I've read, to the extent that I have her at the top of my own personal list of Scandi crime writers (perhaps because, in her case, the term "crime writer" is a bit of a misnomer), but with Shadow I think she's surpassed herself.
The elderly Gerda Persson dies alone, and a state official, Marianne Folkesson, is sent in to sort out Gerda's affairs and possessions, and to see if there are any surviving relatives and friends. What she discovers is that Gerda was for a long time the housekeeper to the Nobel laureate Axel Ragnerfeldt, widely regarded as Sweden's greatest and most popular novelist. Soon she finds out, too, that Gerda has willed her modest fortune to a failing writer called Kristoffer Sandeblom whom it appears she never met.
Marianne herself doesn't, during the novel, unravel the riddle of what's been going on; the final paragraphs indicate to us that she's just about to do so, and to blow the whole charade apart. But what she does do is, through her inquiries, set in course a series of actions that, in conjunction with very extensive flashbacks, reveal to us, as per the peeling back of the layers of the onion, the deceptions and worse crimes that the Ragnerfeldt family have been covering up for years and in some cases for decades. Some of those secrets are predictable (Alvtegen always plays fair with us) while others are more unexpected; in this respect I was reminded, although the two books are in most other respects quite different, of Donna Tartt's The Secret History, another borderline melodrama.
Throughout the book Alvtegen is in complete control of her material, and it's this, along with the fact that the book's heart lies among the lives of various writers, that made Shadow such an immensely satisfying book for me. Highly recommended.
The elderly Gerda Persson dies alone, and a state official, Marianne Folkesson, is sent in to sort out Gerda's affairs and possessions, and to see if there are any surviving relatives and friends. What she discovers is that Gerda was for a long time the housekeeper to the Nobel laureate Axel Ragnerfeldt, widely regarded as Sweden's greatest and most popular novelist. Soon she finds out, too, that Gerda has willed her modest fortune to a failing writer called Kristoffer Sandeblom whom it appears she never met.
Marianne herself doesn't, during the novel, unravel the riddle of what's been going on; the final paragraphs indicate to us that she's just about to do so, and to blow the whole charade apart. But what she does do is, through her inquiries, set in course a series of actions that, in conjunction with very extensive flashbacks, reveal to us, as per the peeling back of the layers of the onion, the deceptions and worse crimes that the Ragnerfeldt family have been covering up for years and in some cases for decades. Some of those secrets are predictable (Alvtegen always plays fair with us) while others are more unexpected; in this respect I was reminded, although the two books are in most other respects quite different, of Donna Tartt's The Secret History, another borderline melodrama.
Throughout the book Alvtegen is in complete control of her material, and it's this, along with the fact that the book's heart lies among the lives of various writers, that made Shadow such an immensely satisfying book for me. Highly recommended.
November 2, 2014
I was reading this when I got out a book from the library due in a week. I finished the other book and went back to "Shadow". It took me a while to get the books together in my mind, but this book was special. Not because there are characters in it that make sense, but it was realistic with all the killings.
December 18, 2022
This is a great crime thriller that weaves multiple stories driven by the characters caught up in them. It is a little slow to start but as you get to know each of those involved and the events that led them there it becomes more and more gripping until the finale when the shocking and disturbing truth of how they are entwined becomes clear.
Want to read
October 15, 2010From Belletrista: A child of four is found abandoned in an amusement park with little more than some crumbs, an empty juice bottle, a tape recorder, and a Bambi book by his side. There's also a note: "Take care of this child. Forgive me." Thus, one is drawn into this neatly crafted novel, which keeps one rapt as layer upon layer is slowly and deftly revealed.
Some 30 years later, Gerda Persson's body is found three days after she has died at the age of 92, with no clue as to who she is. Astonishingly, her freezer yields a neatly sealed load of books by the Nobel laureate and national treasure, Axel Ragnerfeldt. On closer inspection, each book reveals a personal, handwritten inscription by the celebrated author to Gerda. What is the connection between Gerda Persson, Axel Ragnerfeldt, and the foundling?
This novel fits the crime and psychological thriller genre, but has no detective or investigator. The tale unfolds via the voices of Axel (interesting name, as everything revolves around him), his wife, son, housekeeper, and a couple of other key role players, including Kristoffer Sandeblom, a man in his thirties in search of his roots. As we glimpse each character's mindset and life experience, the story builds up gradually and compellingly revealing a picture of secrecy, deceit, crime and murder.
This is a dark book with very little light and many shadows. The biggest is arguably Ragnerfeldt's tour-de-force Shadow, which swayed the Nobel in his favour. The bright glow of this man's prominence casts a heavy shadow on all the people in his life, including his wife, the members of his family, friends, and even fellow-writers.
Axel Ragnerfeldt has climbed the ladder of success, but at what price? His bid for fame as a writer has left a set of disillusioned, embittered and pained individuals in its wake. Though the world adores him and looks up to him, he heads a deeply unhappy and dysfunctional family. At its core, the novel delves into the ramifications of accomplishment: What lengths are we prepared to go to ensure worldly success? And are all the sacrifices worth it, at the end of the day?
Karin Alvtegen is one of Sweden's popular writers, and Shadow won the Danish Best Crime Novel of the Year award and was shortlisted for the Swedish Academy of Crime Writer's Award. This is a quick, engaging read that abounds with revelations of dark secrets and intrigue, and keeps one spellbound until its inevitable and brilliant denouement.
Some 30 years later, Gerda Persson's body is found three days after she has died at the age of 92, with no clue as to who she is. Astonishingly, her freezer yields a neatly sealed load of books by the Nobel laureate and national treasure, Axel Ragnerfeldt. On closer inspection, each book reveals a personal, handwritten inscription by the celebrated author to Gerda. What is the connection between Gerda Persson, Axel Ragnerfeldt, and the foundling?
This novel fits the crime and psychological thriller genre, but has no detective or investigator. The tale unfolds via the voices of Axel (interesting name, as everything revolves around him), his wife, son, housekeeper, and a couple of other key role players, including Kristoffer Sandeblom, a man in his thirties in search of his roots. As we glimpse each character's mindset and life experience, the story builds up gradually and compellingly revealing a picture of secrecy, deceit, crime and murder.
This is a dark book with very little light and many shadows. The biggest is arguably Ragnerfeldt's tour-de-force Shadow, which swayed the Nobel in his favour. The bright glow of this man's prominence casts a heavy shadow on all the people in his life, including his wife, the members of his family, friends, and even fellow-writers.
Axel Ragnerfeldt has climbed the ladder of success, but at what price? His bid for fame as a writer has left a set of disillusioned, embittered and pained individuals in its wake. Though the world adores him and looks up to him, he heads a deeply unhappy and dysfunctional family. At its core, the novel delves into the ramifications of accomplishment: What lengths are we prepared to go to ensure worldly success? And are all the sacrifices worth it, at the end of the day?
Karin Alvtegen is one of Sweden's popular writers, and Shadow won the Danish Best Crime Novel of the Year award and was shortlisted for the Swedish Academy of Crime Writer's Award. This is a quick, engaging read that abounds with revelations of dark secrets and intrigue, and keeps one spellbound until its inevitable and brilliant denouement.
February 22, 2012
This novel is set in Stockholm and I thought it was beautifully written/translated. I came to it thinking it would be a typical Scandinavian crime novel as it begins with a death, but there is no police involvement except at the very start. It is more of a slow paced mystery but that slow pace gave time for the main characters to develop and consequently have some depth. Don't let the slow pace comment put you off. It certainly gripped my imagination and kept me interested all the way through to the end.
It begins with two seemingly unconnected events. The death of a solitary old woman and the abandonment of a small boy in an amusement park. The only thing of note is that the dead woman has several personally dedicated first editions of the novels of the world renowned Nobel prize winning author Axel Ragnerfeldt. The plot then weaves cleverly around the Ragnerfeldt family, its past and the mysterious connections to the dead woman and the small boy. It is all well done and I really enjoyed it.
It begins with two seemingly unconnected events. The death of a solitary old woman and the abandonment of a small boy in an amusement park. The only thing of note is that the dead woman has several personally dedicated first editions of the novels of the world renowned Nobel prize winning author Axel Ragnerfeldt. The plot then weaves cleverly around the Ragnerfeldt family, its past and the mysterious connections to the dead woman and the small boy. It is all well done and I really enjoyed it.
July 17, 2009
An old woman dies of natural causes in her flat in Stockholm. A social worker is dispatched to wind up her estate. As part of her job she tries to find any friends or relatives. Her diligence sparks off a series of events that with shock the whole of Sweden and will reveal just what lengths people will go to to keep up appearances.
This is not your typical crime novel in fact for most of the book no one realises that any crime (unless you count child abandonment) has even been committed. And I was not prepared for the revelation when it came.
You can read my full review on my blog here.
This is not your typical crime novel in fact for most of the book no one realises that any crime (unless you count child abandonment) has even been committed. And I was not prepared for the revelation when it came.
You can read my full review on my blog here.
July 18, 2011
Such a dark novel.
How does the death of an old woman connect to a child abandoned in an amusement park decades ago? And how will their connection ruin an elderly Nobel prize winning author's family and reputation?
I love this author's ability to take the reader inside each character's head. Seeing the outer actions versus the inner thoughts is so compelling. Seeing how each person's perspective of events collides with other realities is illuminating in itself. Makes one wonder what filters we all have up. But in the novel the mixture of all these disparate realities is what makes the grim thriller.
How does the death of an old woman connect to a child abandoned in an amusement park decades ago? And how will their connection ruin an elderly Nobel prize winning author's family and reputation?
I love this author's ability to take the reader inside each character's head. Seeing the outer actions versus the inner thoughts is so compelling. Seeing how each person's perspective of events collides with other realities is illuminating in itself. Makes one wonder what filters we all have up. But in the novel the mixture of all these disparate realities is what makes the grim thriller.
July 31, 2015
Тежичка, но пълна със смисъл история... В началото, първите 50-60 страници ми беше тегава, докато се появи образа на екзистенциално страдащия Крис... и добре, че не я зарязах, защото насетне я изчетох на един дъх. Усещането за отчаяние и безсмислие у всеки от героите на места ми беше вповечко...
April 26, 2020
Alvtegen makes me rethink my rating system on Goodreads because while I give three stars to nearly all of her books, these are very different three stars. But well, what can you do?
This, for example, is a good, solid three star read. It has the usual staples - complicated family, ambiguous and complex characters, gripping storytelling - as well as the usual problems - too many coincidences, too much dramatic revelations and more than one questionable decision - of an Alvtegen book. There are at least four crimes in this novel, and I could have done with only two. On the other hand I really enjoy her characterizations - they seem to be a bit gendered this time and not too kind towards men, but it still works.
So, a good read but nothing you have to check out for yourself if you're not particularly interested in that kind of crime fiction.
This, for example, is a good, solid three star read. It has the usual staples - complicated family, ambiguous and complex characters, gripping storytelling - as well as the usual problems - too many coincidences, too much dramatic revelations and more than one questionable decision - of an Alvtegen book. There are at least four crimes in this novel, and I could have done with only two. On the other hand I really enjoy her characterizations - they seem to be a bit gendered this time and not too kind towards men, but it still works.
So, a good read but nothing you have to check out for yourself if you're not particularly interested in that kind of crime fiction.
February 29, 2024
Nėra nei vieno knygos veikėjo, kuris būtų simpatiškas arba bent jau būčiau visiškai abejinga jam. Visi erzina: savo poelgiais, ar tiesiog nieko neveikimu. Kiekvienas trokšta pripažinimo, garbės arba tyliai stebi kai vyksta protu nesuvokiami dalykai. Gal tie - abejingieji- ir yra visų blogiausi.
Labai norisi tikėti, kad Marianė, perskaičiusi Gerdos dienoraštį, ko nors imsis.
Labai norisi tikėti, kad Marianė, perskaičiusi Gerdos dienoraštį, ko nors imsis.
November 14, 2015
A four year old boy is left abandoned at the amusement park Skansen during the 70's.
In 2006 Gerda Persson, an elderly woman has died of old age, all alone in her apartment. Marianne Fredriksson is assigned to arrange the funeral, clean out the apartment and find if Gerda has any relatives to contact.
During Mariannes inspection of the apartment she finds a set of books in the freezer with dedications to Gerda from the Noble winning author Axel Ragnerfeldt. What connects these events, and why are the valuable books stored in the freezer?
Shadow is a perfect name for this novel. It's a story about Axel Ragnerfeldt, his family and people in his life living in the shadow of this beloved author. How different choices in our life reflect upon us as a human-being, how these choices will give a rippling effect and define us and the path that we follow.
Axel is a respected, well known and loved author. But what his readers and the people surrounding him doesn't know is how troubled he is, and what secrets he is storing.
The story is told by a different person in each chapter, either Axel, his wife Alice or their son Jan-Erik and his wife amongst others.
There is no linear timeframe, and we either follow them in the present or they narrate an event in the past. All this leading up to the burial of Gerda.
I would not define this as a thriller. It does not follow a private investigator, a police or anyone solving a crime. It's not a paranormal story filled with ghost, but rather ghosts from a past. It is a psychological suspense novel, which unravels a tragic story filled with misery and pain, the pain of neglection and how something broken can continue to crack and self destruct even tho it doesn't seem to be broken. The danger of deception and fame...
All the events happening throughout the story kept me wondering why and how, what would happen next? So the story was thrilling and I really enjoyed the ending as the "mystery" unfolded with every page I read.
The main reason why I'm not giving the book more than 3 stars is because of the writing. I read it in Swedish and the first 150 pages were a drag... The authors choice of words were horrible and just felt redonculous. At times I imagined Alvtegen sitting by her computer grinning as if she thought she was writing words and sentences which would award her the Nobel Prize, as her main character once did. Or perhaps that's the problem, she tried to hard to make it sound as if it really was Axels words we were reading? This made the text flow rather poorly.
Towards the end the writing did change slightly, or perhaps I was just to eager to know the Ragnerfeldt family secret?
I do know that I won't be reading more of Karin Alvtegen's books in the future, since I was contemplating getting rid of this book after reading it...
Note. I have read this once before, back in 2007 but I couldn't remember if for my life...
In 2006 Gerda Persson, an elderly woman has died of old age, all alone in her apartment. Marianne Fredriksson is assigned to arrange the funeral, clean out the apartment and find if Gerda has any relatives to contact.
During Mariannes inspection of the apartment she finds a set of books in the freezer with dedications to Gerda from the Noble winning author Axel Ragnerfeldt. What connects these events, and why are the valuable books stored in the freezer?
Shadow is a perfect name for this novel. It's a story about Axel Ragnerfeldt, his family and people in his life living in the shadow of this beloved author. How different choices in our life reflect upon us as a human-being, how these choices will give a rippling effect and define us and the path that we follow.
Axel is a respected, well known and loved author. But what his readers and the people surrounding him doesn't know is how troubled he is, and what secrets he is storing.
The story is told by a different person in each chapter, either Axel, his wife Alice or their son Jan-Erik and his wife amongst others.
There is no linear timeframe, and we either follow them in the present or they narrate an event in the past. All this leading up to the burial of Gerda.
I would not define this as a thriller. It does not follow a private investigator, a police or anyone solving a crime. It's not a paranormal story filled with ghost, but rather ghosts from a past. It is a psychological suspense novel, which unravels a tragic story filled with misery and pain, the pain of neglection and how something broken can continue to crack and self destruct even tho it doesn't seem to be broken. The danger of deception and fame...
All the events happening throughout the story kept me wondering why and how, what would happen next? So the story was thrilling and I really enjoyed the ending as the "mystery" unfolded with every page I read.
The main reason why I'm not giving the book more than 3 stars is because of the writing. I read it in Swedish and the first 150 pages were a drag... The authors choice of words were horrible and just felt redonculous. At times I imagined Alvtegen sitting by her computer grinning as if she thought she was writing words and sentences which would award her the Nobel Prize, as her main character once did. Or perhaps that's the problem, she tried to hard to make it sound as if it really was Axels words we were reading? This made the text flow rather poorly.
Towards the end the writing did change slightly, or perhaps I was just to eager to know the Ragnerfeldt family secret?
I do know that I won't be reading more of Karin Alvtegen's books in the future, since I was contemplating getting rid of this book after reading it...
Note. I have read this once before, back in 2007 but I couldn't remember if for my life...
January 16, 2013
I found this an insteresting story at first where it starts out well enough with the finding of a four year old boy at a amusement park, then moves 30 years later to the death of Gerda Persson who had been a long time housekeeper for Axel Ragnerfeldt, a Noble Prize writing author. As she has no family to speak of the state sends in Marianne Folkesson to look into Gerda's effects in the hope of finnding family or friends and Marianne finds in a freezer, books wrapped in cling with a personal message to Gerda from Axel.
Though the story was a little depressing with the main character's being selfish and the two couples being unhappily married for such a long time, I still though it was a good story until we find out what had happened 30 years earlier.
Gerda had left her entire estate to Kristoffa Sandelan, who did not know her - so what was the connection? Kristoffa who is a playwrite has his own problems which escalate as all is revealed as well.
The story goes back and forwards from present to past which I do enjoy in storytelling.
It was the ending that disappointed me the most, so much happened and none of it good. Gerda had carried a secret with her all her life and she had put it in a letter to Kristoffa to be sent to him after her death and that explained to him what his tie to her was. In the meantime Kristoffa had alrealy started his own investigation into his roots, which he had always wanted to know and had shis motpoken with his mother's former lover.
Going back to our unhappy couples which are Axel and Alice Ragnerfeldt and their son Jan-Eric and his wife Louise. When Louise asks Jan-Eric for a divorce, I thought it was typical male behaviour when Jan-Eric, who has had affairs all around and has ignored his family, gets upset and blames Louise entirely for the breakup. They had no marriage so to speak of.
It was the telling of that secret from 30 years earlier of things that had happened at the home of Axel and Alice Ragnerfeldt, I did not see that coming. I then understoody why Alice had never left her unhappy marriage.
The ending ruined it for me, I thought it was pointless but then it could have happened, as prestige and money makes people selfish and they don't want anything to rock ther boat.
It was a good tale of action for consequence though, when Axel bedded Helena just once little did he know what that would do to his life. It could have gone so many ways but instead he definitely picked the wrong person to have sex with and the consequences were great.
Though the story was a little depressing with the main character's being selfish and the two couples being unhappily married for such a long time, I still though it was a good story until we find out what had happened 30 years earlier.
Gerda had left her entire estate to Kristoffa Sandelan, who did not know her - so what was the connection? Kristoffa who is a playwrite has his own problems which escalate as all is revealed as well.
The story goes back and forwards from present to past which I do enjoy in storytelling.
It was the ending that disappointed me the most, so much happened and none of it good. Gerda had carried a secret with her all her life and she had put it in a letter to Kristoffa to be sent to him after her death and that explained to him what his tie to her was. In the meantime Kristoffa had alrealy started his own investigation into his roots, which he had always wanted to know and had shis motpoken with his mother's former lover.
Going back to our unhappy couples which are Axel and Alice Ragnerfeldt and their son Jan-Eric and his wife Louise. When Louise asks Jan-Eric for a divorce, I thought it was typical male behaviour when Jan-Eric, who has had affairs all around and has ignored his family, gets upset and blames Louise entirely for the breakup. They had no marriage so to speak of.
It was the telling of that secret from 30 years earlier of things that had happened at the home of Axel and Alice Ragnerfeldt, I did not see that coming. I then understoody why Alice had never left her unhappy marriage.
The ending ruined it for me, I thought it was pointless but then it could have happened, as prestige and money makes people selfish and they don't want anything to rock ther boat.
It was a good tale of action for consequence though, when Axel bedded Helena just once little did he know what that would do to his life. It could have gone so many ways but instead he definitely picked the wrong person to have sex with and the consequences were great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2011
The book begins in 1975 when a four year old boy is discovered abandoned at an amusement park with a note asking for him to be looked after. Then the narrative jumps forward to the present day where a 92-year-old woman, Gerda Person, dies alone in her flat. She has no living relatives so Social Services administrator Marianne Folkesson is given the task of putting her affairs in order and organising the funeral.
Gerda Persson, turns out to be the former housekeeper of the highly respected Nobel Laureate Axel Ragnerfeldt and his family.
Axel Ragnerfeldt is now an old man and has suffered from a stroke and subsequently is unable to communicate except by moving his finger. Marianne therefore contacts Axel's son, Jan-Erik, who has made a living of giving talks and readings from his Father’s books. Marianne asks him to find a photograph of Gerda for the funeral and Jan-Erik begins to search his father’s old house. It is here that he uncovers a series of devastating family secrets that should have stayed hidden.
The author has written a compelling tale of the bleakness of humanity and the lengths that some will go to protect themselves and their reputation at whatever the cost. Alvtegen cunningly weaves layer upon layer of complicated and complex story threads told by the characters themselves. These stories twine and inter twine in a series of flashbacks and past histories that bring the all choices of the characters and the subsequent consequences together.
I really loved about this book is the fact that only the reader can see all the pieces
It is a slow burner but the final thrilling dénouements are relentless and left me feeling exhausted and rather shaken. At this point I remembered Halina’s fable and set to pondering on which one of the characters had committed the worst crime….I thought about it for days
A dark, dark read.
Gerda Persson, turns out to be the former housekeeper of the highly respected Nobel Laureate Axel Ragnerfeldt and his family.
Axel Ragnerfeldt is now an old man and has suffered from a stroke and subsequently is unable to communicate except by moving his finger. Marianne therefore contacts Axel's son, Jan-Erik, who has made a living of giving talks and readings from his Father’s books. Marianne asks him to find a photograph of Gerda for the funeral and Jan-Erik begins to search his father’s old house. It is here that he uncovers a series of devastating family secrets that should have stayed hidden.
The author has written a compelling tale of the bleakness of humanity and the lengths that some will go to protect themselves and their reputation at whatever the cost. Alvtegen cunningly weaves layer upon layer of complicated and complex story threads told by the characters themselves. These stories twine and inter twine in a series of flashbacks and past histories that bring the all choices of the characters and the subsequent consequences together.
I really loved about this book is the fact that only the reader can see all the pieces
It is a slow burner but the final thrilling dénouements are relentless and left me feeling exhausted and rather shaken. At this point I remembered Halina’s fable and set to pondering on which one of the characters had committed the worst crime….I thought about it for days
A dark, dark read.
May 15, 2014
Shadow is a beautifully written tale of people looking for happiness. The books opens with a small boy waiting for his mother to come and get him from a shed where he is waiting. He has been waiting so long the batteries have worn out on the cassette player he has which reads him his story book. Eventually the boy is found and it appears his mother has abandoned him at an amusement park. The story then shifts to the family of a renowned author as they find out about the death of their old maid.
Don’t be fooled by this opening as I was, there are many twists and turns within this book which take the tale in directions I was not expecting. I always worry when reading a book that has been translated from its original langue, that some of the more subtle meanings may be lost. However with this book I do not feel that I lost and depth or beauty. And whilst there was nothing that stood out in the way of errors or typos the only part I feel that let it down was the ending. Personally it just felt like everything had got really going and then it was done. On the plus side it also meant nothing felt dragged out or overly fluffed.
I would definitely recommend this book and it may be liked by those who enjoyed books such as Spilt Milkor Purge. I want to give it more than 3 stars but I personally need to feel more, and I always use the guidance phase and whilst I ‘liked’ it I didn’t ‘really like it’. This is in basic terms, a simple story of life and its issues with unexpected twists which test the characters in ways many people hope never to be tested by.
Don’t be fooled by this opening as I was, there are many twists and turns within this book which take the tale in directions I was not expecting. I always worry when reading a book that has been translated from its original langue, that some of the more subtle meanings may be lost. However with this book I do not feel that I lost and depth or beauty. And whilst there was nothing that stood out in the way of errors or typos the only part I feel that let it down was the ending. Personally it just felt like everything had got really going and then it was done. On the plus side it also meant nothing felt dragged out or overly fluffed.
I would definitely recommend this book and it may be liked by those who enjoyed books such as Spilt Milkor Purge. I want to give it more than 3 stars but I personally need to feel more, and I always use the guidance phase and whilst I ‘liked’ it I didn’t ‘really like it’. This is in basic terms, a simple story of life and its issues with unexpected twists which test the characters in ways many people hope never to be tested by.
January 30, 2013
Ini adalah novel pertama yang saya baca di 2013. Berlatar belakang di Swedia, dari mulai tahun 1940-an sampai tahun 2000-an. Cerita dimulai dari Marianne Folkesson, seorang petugas kota yang mengurusi kematian orang-orang tanpa keluarga, mendapatkan surat kematian Gerda Persson. Seperti biasanya, hal yang pertama Marianne lakukan adalah mengunjungi tempat tinggal orang yang wafat dan mencari orang yang punya hubungan dengan orang tersebut untuk diminta datang ke pemakaman ataupun persoalan warisan. Kontak yang pertama kali didapat oleh Marianne adalah Axel Ragnerfeldt, seorang penulis pemenang Nobel Sastra. Dari sini kemudian cerita berlanjut ke keluarga Ragnerfeldt secara keseluruhan dan dari halaman demi halaman, tokoh baru bermunculan.
Alur ceritanya bolak balik dengan banyak tokoh. Dialognya terbatas dan lebih banyak deskripsi mengenai situasi ataupun perasaan. Menurut saya, alur ceritanya cukup sulit ditebak, karena itu ada perasaan untuk terus menerus melanjutkan sampai selesai.
Perasaan setelah selesai membaca cukup campur aduk. Sensasinya mirip dengan setelah membaca bukunya Murakami, tapi yang ini membangkitkan keputusasaan yang lebih dalam.
Dan anyway, beberapa kali membaca novel Swedia dan lumayan suka meskipun agak suram. Mungkin ke depannya akan baca novel Karin Alvtegen lainnya
Alur ceritanya bolak balik dengan banyak tokoh. Dialognya terbatas dan lebih banyak deskripsi mengenai situasi ataupun perasaan. Menurut saya, alur ceritanya cukup sulit ditebak, karena itu ada perasaan untuk terus menerus melanjutkan sampai selesai.
Perasaan setelah selesai membaca cukup campur aduk. Sensasinya mirip dengan setelah membaca bukunya Murakami, tapi yang ini membangkitkan keputusasaan yang lebih dalam.
Dan anyway, beberapa kali membaca novel Swedia dan lumayan suka meskipun agak suram. Mungkin ke depannya akan baca novel Karin Alvtegen lainnya
December 18, 2014
Det här är ingen vanlig deckare, det är snarare en roman med innehåll av olyckliga omständigheter som leder till död. Mest handlar det om människor, de små och de stora, de framstående och de grå. Jag är fascinerad av det djup Alvtegen gräver men med en lättsam presentation, den sammanvävda historien är raffinerad.
Beskrivning hämtad från Adlibris: "Nobelpristagaren Axel Ragnerfeldt har allt han någonsin kunnat drömma om. Älskad, beundrad och högaktad för sina böcker kan han se tillbaka på ett långt liv kantat av framgång och respekt. Han är arbetarsonen som tack vare sin flit och sina uppoffrande föräldrar blev en nationalikon för hela det svenska folket, en man vars ryktbarhet skulle bli så stor att ingen i hans närhet kunnat undgå att påverkas av den.
Men vägen till framgång är sällan rak och giganter kastar ofta djupa skuggor. När en ensam åldring avlider sätts ett ödesdigert händelseförlopp igång, och uppgifter om en långt mörkare historia än den ljusa framgångssagan börjar sippra fram. En historia som rymmer fasansfulla hemligheter, svek, lögner och död ?
Karin Alvtegen är en av Sveriges mest framgångsrika författare. I den psykologiska thrillern Skugga berättar hon en grym historia om medaljens baksida, och det pris som vissa människor är beredda att betala för att uppnå odödlighet."
Beskrivning hämtad från Adlibris: "Nobelpristagaren Axel Ragnerfeldt har allt han någonsin kunnat drömma om. Älskad, beundrad och högaktad för sina böcker kan han se tillbaka på ett långt liv kantat av framgång och respekt. Han är arbetarsonen som tack vare sin flit och sina uppoffrande föräldrar blev en nationalikon för hela det svenska folket, en man vars ryktbarhet skulle bli så stor att ingen i hans närhet kunnat undgå att påverkas av den.
Men vägen till framgång är sällan rak och giganter kastar ofta djupa skuggor. När en ensam åldring avlider sätts ett ödesdigert händelseförlopp igång, och uppgifter om en långt mörkare historia än den ljusa framgångssagan börjar sippra fram. En historia som rymmer fasansfulla hemligheter, svek, lögner och död ?
Karin Alvtegen är en av Sveriges mest framgångsrika författare. I den psykologiska thrillern Skugga berättar hon en grym historia om medaljens baksida, och det pris som vissa människor är beredda att betala för att uppnå odödlighet."
May 27, 2011
Eigentlich kann man diesen Roman wie so viele von Frau Alvtegen nicht direkt als Thriller bezeichnen, eher ein Roman mit psychologischem Tiefensog, der einen in die Abgründe der einzelne Charaktere hinabzieht. Als Beobachter schwebt der Leser über der Handlung und wird immer wieder von Hass, Neid und persönlichem Unvermögen überschwemmt. Wie weit würde man gehen, um den Nobelpreis zu bekommen? Wie lange können Menschen Schweigen? Und wie kann Schweigen Gold sein, wenn es andere Leben zerstört? Wieviel ist einem Erfolg als Autor wert? Mehr als das eigene Leben? Wie lebt es sich im Schatten? Und kann im Licht auch gleichzeitig im Schatten sein? Ja, kann es. Alvtegen erzählt genau dies mit ihrem Buch. Spannend ist es, die Handlungsstränge greifen sehr schön ineinander und verweben sich zu einem Gesamtbild, aber eine "Jagd" ergibt sich nie... eher ein Grauen in der Tiefe der menschlichen Seele
Nur vier einhalb Sterne gibt es, weil die Autorin dennoch für mich hinter ihren Möglichkeiten bleibt. Selbst Schuld, Seitensprung und Die Flüchtige haben mich noch stärker in den Bann gezogen :)
Bemerkenswert ist auf alle Fälle, dass der Klappentext des Taschenbuchs korrekter ist als der der gebundenen Ausgabe. Freut mich!
Nur vier einhalb Sterne gibt es, weil die Autorin dennoch für mich hinter ihren Möglichkeiten bleibt. Selbst Schuld, Seitensprung und Die Flüchtige haben mich noch stärker in den Bann gezogen :)
Bemerkenswert ist auf alle Fälle, dass der Klappentext des Taschenbuchs korrekter ist als der der gebundenen Ausgabe. Freut mich!
August 18, 2011
I was disappointed in this and probably won't try any more titles by this author. I was intrigued by the synopsis on the back ( books in the freezer..this must be interesting) but actually ..it felt more of a family melodrama than a crime novel. In fact I was well into the book before there was any indication of a crime or who the victim of the crime might be. Most of the characters were self obsessed which I don't normally have a problem with, but combined with the slow pace and the sometimes laboured writing, it did begin to grate a bit. Also, far too much happened in the last segment of the book, which made it feel less credible somehow. I wouldn't say to others - "don't read this, its a waste of time" ...in places I liked her writing very much as I felt she conveyed the disillusionment of middle/old age very well. I am just not sure that I liked this as a crime novel...too much emotional angst and not enough twists and intrigue for me.
...and as other reviewers have commented ..still not sure why the books were in the freezer!
...and as other reviewers have commented ..still not sure why the books were in the freezer!
December 11, 2012
Kept my interest. There's quite a layered plot. Very few characters come out of it with any credit and only the character that starts it off - Marianne Folkesson - seems to get any real satisfaction in her working life sorting out the funerals of people who have nobody to do it for them after their death. We don't learn anything about her private life so it's not possible to speculate there but without exception all the other characters have a pretty dismal working life and an absolutely miserable private life. While I guess the book demonstrates that misery begats misery both in private and public there seems to be something missing - surely there must be someone somewhere in Sweden that is happy and encountered at some point in the book. I fantasize about a neighbour who mends central heating for a living - and loves it, and maybe has sister that runs a wool shop - and loves it, and whose daughter is training to be a teacher - and loves it. And maybe all the happy people are just out of sight!
August 5, 2012
During the past 3 years I have found myself reading more and more books written in Swedish and translated into English.
My latest foray into this genre is a book by Karin Alvtegen called SHADOW.
As the blurb on the cover so aptly says: Sometimes the past is better left buried?
Of course that piqued my curiosity and I found myself on a journey with this un-put down able book.
The story starts with a little boy being found with a note asking that somebody should please look after him. From there the story diverts in a few directions which makes for interesting reading.
Cleverly plotted you really have no idea where it is going to end up but slowly all the parts start falling into place and it all starts to make sense.
This is not a light-hearted piece of reading by any means but it's entertainment value is high.
My latest foray into this genre is a book by Karin Alvtegen called SHADOW.
As the blurb on the cover so aptly says: Sometimes the past is better left buried?
Of course that piqued my curiosity and I found myself on a journey with this un-put down able book.
The story starts with a little boy being found with a note asking that somebody should please look after him. From there the story diverts in a few directions which makes for interesting reading.
Cleverly plotted you really have no idea where it is going to end up but slowly all the parts start falling into place and it all starts to make sense.
This is not a light-hearted piece of reading by any means but it's entertainment value is high.
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