LoveReading Says
At once stark and mesmerisingly lyrical, Ann-Helén Laestadius’ Stolen is a novel that catches the breath. Set in the Arctic Circle, it presents a fascinating, enthralling account of the trials faced by Scandinavia’s indigenous Sámi — prejudice, violence and the threats climate change and human action pose to their reindeer-herding way of life. It’s also a grippingly orchestrated coming-of-age story that rises to a heart-stopping crescendo.
Laestadius has an immense talent for creating nuanced characters. The novel begins when nine-year-old Elsa witnesses the brutal killing of her reindeer calf, an act of violence against Sámi way of life that will come to define her own life. Laestadius’ writing of Elsa’s child perspective is pitch-perfect as it evokes her way of thinking and fears, along with an unspoken, instinctual awareness of what shouldn’t be mentioned outside the family. While Elsa knows who committed the crime, she keeps the culprit’s identity a secret, fearing the consequences.
As Elsa grows up experiencing escalating hostilities towards her community, which has tragic consequences for her loved ones, she longs to take up reindeer husbandry, a role traditionally reserved for men. Noting that tourists are “colonising our culture with their gaze. It’s revolting”, it’s Elsa, and not the male elders who courageously confronts the police’s inaction over the slaughter of Sámi reindeer. And it’s Elsa who takes drastic, risky action to seize justice when she becomes the target of the man who killed her reindeer calf all those years before. What a remarkable, exquisitely told story.
Joanne Owen
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Stolen Synopsis
The international number one-bestselling sensation: the story of a young Sámi girl's coming-of-age, and a powerful fable about family, identity and justice.
Nine-year-old Elsa lives just north of the Arctic Circle. She and her family are Sámi - Scandinavia's indigenous people - and make their living herding reindeer.
One morning when Elsa goes skiing alone, she witnesses a man brutally killing her reindeer calf, Nástegallu. Elsa recognises the man but refuses to tell anyone - least of all the Swedish police force - about what she saw. Instead, she carries her secret as a dark weight on her heart.
Elsa comes of age fighting two wars: one within her community, where male elders expect young women to know their place; and against the ever-escalating wave of prejudice and violence against the Sámi.
When Elsa finds herself the target of the man who killed her reindeer calf all those years ago, something inside of her finally breaks. The guilt, fear, and anger she's been carrying since childhood come crashing over her like an avalanche, and will lead Elsa to a final catastrophic confrontation.
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Ann-Helén Laestadius Press Reviews
A sharp and socially critical novel with an intensity that makes it powerful and strong ... Whatever you do, don't miss out on this novel - Dagens Nyheter (SE)
Laestadius writes with burning intensity about a community around the Arctic Circle that is rarely portrayed. Her commitment shines through and constantly urges the reader to continue reading. It may be foolhardy to name this year's most powerful book as early as February. But that Stolen is one of the most important Swedish books of the year is indisputable - Demokraatti (FI)
Stolen is not only a fierce cry for justice, but also an empathic and beautiful story about the love of and nature - Norra Skane (SE)
One of the most talked about books this spring ... Stolen is a moving, multifaceted, and important contemporary novel that highlights many serious themes and portrays a society and a situation that needs to be discussed many times over. A well-written story that leaves a lasting impression - P4 Vasternorrland (SE)
In a careful and at times poetic prose [Laestadius] portrays milieus, conflicts, and magic from an area that has long been underrepresented in literary fiction in Sweden - Expressen (SE)
Ann-Helen Laestadius's writing flows seamlessly, with a piercing psychological and keen eye for societal issues. I am especially happy about the elegant ending, that beautifully ties the circle together and brings hope of a brighter future - Hufvudstadsbladet (FI)
Intimately and vividly portrayed. The novel gives beautiful insights into the life of the Sami and their struggle for justice. An accessible and at the same time deep, beautiful, and suspenseful tale of a part of the world many of us know very little about. It deserves a large audience - BTJ (SE)
The best trick of fiction is how it can make us feel part of something, and Laestadius does just that ... Incredibly thrilling - Joenkoepings-Posten (SE)
Both a thrilling page-turner and a story to remember for a long time to come - Sundsvalls Tidning (SE)
Stolen is an important novel that provides insight into modern Sami life. This is the first step in a new direction for an author with a crucial message: I will be sure to follow her going forward - Svenska Dagbladet (SE)
A stunningly suspenseful, glowing story, in which a perceptive narrator brings a whole new world to the reader - Helsingin Sanomat
A splendid novel. [...] The characters are lovingly and skillfully portrayed, in such a way that makes it hard to let go of them afterwards - Suomen Kuvalehti
