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214th out of 587 books
—
403 voters
Drowned
Drowned, set in the idyllic countryside during a short-lived Swedish summer, gets under one’s skin from the first page, creating an atmosphere of foreboding in which even the perfume of freshly picked vegetables roasting in the kitchen becomes ominous.
On the surface, the story couldn’t be simpler. A single young woman visits her older sister, who is married to a writer as...more
On the surface, the story couldn’t be simpler. A single young woman visits her older sister, who is married to a writer as...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
May 22nd 2012
by Other Press
(first published 2010)
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SETTING: Sweden
RATING: 2.75
There are times in our lives when we know we need to shake things up and do something to change the way things are going. For Martina, the impetus is her involvement in a relationship that is falling apart and the fact that she has little motivation to do well in her academic endeavors. She decides to leave Stockholm for a while and visit her sister, Stella, who lives with her significant other, Gabriel, in the Swedish countryside. Stella is deeply involved in horticul...more
RATING: 2.75
There are times in our lives when we know we need to shake things up and do something to change the way things are going. For Martina, the impetus is her involvement in a relationship that is falling apart and the fact that she has little motivation to do well in her academic endeavors. She decides to leave Stockholm for a while and visit her sister, Stella, who lives with her significant other, Gabriel, in the Swedish countryside. Stella is deeply involved in horticul...more
Therese Bohman worked as a literary critic for a number of years before penning her own novel and so I imagine she was particularly conscious of publishing's favourite catchcry, "show, don't tell". This cardinal rule explains how an author should show through a character's experience that, for example, it was cold, rather than simply saying, "it was cold". But the opposite is also true, in that too much of this description / exposition can become exhausting for the reader who simply wants the st...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Published in 2010, this book set in Sweden has a tense, sultry feeling throughout. Marina (the first person in this book) visits her sister Stella on a break from College, though she's supposed to write a paper. Her sister is often at work doing landscaping, and although her husband Gabriel seems merely warm to Marina, an edge attraction develops and she betrays her sister. Gabriel is a novelist who works at home, thus the opportunity has arisen. Marina leaves; the second part of the novel invol...more
Ophelia?
The first half of this book rather languishes but the second part picks up as the mystery deepens though it ultimately disappoints. If you have feminist leanings you’ll hate this book. It’s set in the Swedish countryside where Marina, a college student, goes to visit her botanist sister, Stella, who is living with her much older, author husband who’s named Gabriel. Stella loves plants and her job in a nearby city planning office keeps her away from home for long hours. Marina arrives for...more
The first half of this book rather languishes but the second part picks up as the mystery deepens though it ultimately disappoints. If you have feminist leanings you’ll hate this book. It’s set in the Swedish countryside where Marina, a college student, goes to visit her botanist sister, Stella, who is living with her much older, author husband who’s named Gabriel. Stella loves plants and her job in a nearby city planning office keeps her away from home for long hours. Marina arrives for...more
Drowned by Therese Bohman is a literary novel and atmospheric psychological thriller. As the description says, the basic story in is deceptively simple. A young woman from Stockholm, Marina, visits her older sister, Stella. Stella, a horticulturist, lives in the countryside with Gabriel, a charismatic older man who is a writer. Marina finds herself attracted to Gabriel, but also seems to sense something dark and surreal about her sister's seemingly idyllic life. The novel itself is much more com...more
A simply written, somewhat chilling novel, Drowned left me wanting more.
The story is told through the perspective of Marina, a university student on summer break who is visiting her sister, Stella, and Stella's older husband Gabriel. During her summer visit, Marina has time to reflect on her relationship with her sister and forges a relationship beyond her control with Gabriel. When she returns in the fall things have changed drastically and she finds that all is not as it seems and secrets can...more
The story is told through the perspective of Marina, a university student on summer break who is visiting her sister, Stella, and Stella's older husband Gabriel. During her summer visit, Marina has time to reflect on her relationship with her sister and forges a relationship beyond her control with Gabriel. When she returns in the fall things have changed drastically and she finds that all is not as it seems and secrets can...more
After reading this book I simply put it down and walked away. A few days later it hit me: nothing 'gripping', 'haunt[ing]' or 'disturb[ing]' (as described on the front cover by Emily Maguire) actually happened in this book, and that is why I found it rather empty and a little disappointing.
Upon beginning to read I found it detailed and rich in imagery, a quality I usually enjoy in novels, yet as I continued this exact trait became the book's downfall. So heavy in description it lacked in storyli...more
Upon beginning to read I found it detailed and rich in imagery, a quality I usually enjoy in novels, yet as I continued this exact trait became the book's downfall. So heavy in description it lacked in storyli...more
This was a very different and hard to process psychological novel. I actually read part of it and put it aside for a few days just to think about what I was reading. The writing is lush,the prose wonderful the descriptions are very visual and sensory, at times beautiful. So on one hand is this beautiful background and on the other little random clues that point to madness and violence in a relationship. Yet these are easy to dismiss and the woman in this story does so, almost as it probably is i...more
The publisher calls this a psychological thriller (or maybe one of the other reviews I read, I can't quite remember), but the book doesn't satisfy on either front. The plot is fairly simple--twenty-something Marina comes to the country to stay with her older sister Stella and Stella's much older boyfriend, Gabriel. Something's not quite right between Stella and Gabriel, and Gabriel puts the moves on Marina, which she feels guilty about but does nothing to discourage. I won't give away anything e...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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More of my reviews are at: Paperback Princess
I really wish I hadn't read this book. It did absolutely nothing for me. In attempting to create mystery Bohman only created confusion. Perhaps it was just my version, but there was never any break for a new chapter or even those page break things that indicate that you're moving to a new time or scene. I always felt confused because one minute something big was about to happen and then the next, they were having dinner.
The ending also resolves absolu...more
I really wish I hadn't read this book. It did absolutely nothing for me. In attempting to create mystery Bohman only created confusion. Perhaps it was just my version, but there was never any break for a new chapter or even those page break things that indicate that you're moving to a new time or scene. I always felt confused because one minute something big was about to happen and then the next, they were having dinner.
The ending also resolves absolu...more
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The success of Stieg Larson’s Millennium Trilogy has unleashed a whole range of European writing that Australian’s were never offered in the past. This has been a boon for crime readers and we are also starting to see some of their more literary crime novels as well.
Therese Bohman’s debut novel falls into this more literary category of crime novel. It is a psychological thriller set over the course of a Swedish summer and is full of literary allusion. We meet Marina as she visits her older sist...more
Therese Bohman’s debut novel falls into this more literary category of crime novel. It is a psychological thriller set over the course of a Swedish summer and is full of literary allusion. We meet Marina as she visits her older sist...more
Synopsis: Marina visits her sister, Stella and while there falls under the spell of Stella's violent, sadistic and manipulative husband, Gabriel. Tragedy strikes and Stella dies. What are in Stella's diaries and will Marina fall victim to Gabriel's manipulative ways the same way her sister did?
My opinion: I really could not wrap my head around this book. I found it has taken me a few days to even write the review. I found it simplistic in its' writing and was scratching my head at the end of it....more
My opinion: I really could not wrap my head around this book. I found it has taken me a few days to even write the review. I found it simplistic in its' writing and was scratching my head at the end of it....more
2 likes · like · see review
I seem to be in a minority here, but I thought this book was extraordinary, albeit quite bone chilling. I think that the reviewer who compared it to the type of suspense that one might experience watching a Hitchcock movie was spot on.
What is it with these Swedish novels, though? Between the Millennium trilogy (Dragon Tattoo, etc.) and this book, my image of Sweden as this bucolic, peaceful, egalitarian society is being shattered. Just have to remind myself that this is fiction!
The book is shor...more
What is it with these Swedish novels, though? Between the Millennium trilogy (Dragon Tattoo, etc.) and this book, my image of Sweden as this bucolic, peaceful, egalitarian society is being shattered. Just have to remind myself that this is fiction!
The book is shor...more
Drowned is translated and I found the translation a bit dry in language and style. But the plot was compelling! Basically this college age girl, Marina, goes to visit her older sister, Stella, at her country home in Sweden. The sister is married to a writer, Gabriel, who is charming but has a dark side. Marina begins to fall in love with Gabriel and she finds herself getting sucked into a situation she doesn’t know how to (nor does she want to) extricate herself from.
I won’t say more for fear of...more
I won’t say more for fear of...more
Although this novel involved some of my favorite things (botany; Pre-Raphaelite art; tall, dark, handsome men), it wasn't everything that I hoped it would be. I found some of the foreshadowing to be a bit clunky, and was also irked by some glaring historical inaccuracies relating to the Pre-Raphaelities (at one point, it's claimed that Elizabeth Siddal died of pneumonia after modelling for Millais' Ophelia; in fact, she died of a laudanum overdose a whole ten years after Ophelia was painted). I...more
Don't waste your time like I did.
This book was a huge disappointment. Because it was short in length, I stuck to my guns and finished it even though I should have stopped when I became irritated by the lack of breaks. Part One and Part Two. Everything else just a jumble of nothing.
Too much fancy prose and no storyline to back it up.
I very rarely have given a book only a one star rating. I wanted to like this, but the characters were so undeveloped and the ending was so disappointing I felt cheat...more
This book was a huge disappointment. Because it was short in length, I stuck to my guns and finished it even though I should have stopped when I became irritated by the lack of breaks. Part One and Part Two. Everything else just a jumble of nothing.
Too much fancy prose and no storyline to back it up.
I very rarely have given a book only a one star rating. I wanted to like this, but the characters were so undeveloped and the ending was so disappointing I felt cheat...more
Disturbing. But human. Girl has affair with her sister's husband. He's the violent type, but subtly so. Another book I've read in a day, and another one written in the present tense, which I'm not a fan of. It was slow, plodding, with glossed over sex scenes and glossed over violence, and absolutely nothing of interest in between. The ending was probably realistic, but still quite depressing, as you make your own conclusion (and we all know what would happen to her). I didn't really get the poin...more
This was absolute rubbish. The book starts out with a young woman, Marina visiting her sister Stella and her husband in the Swedish countryside. I just couldnt connect with these characters at all and I kept wondering why anything was significant and when would something HAPPEN. There was nothing interesting or likeable really in any of the characters. Flash forward a few months later and the changes in Marina are just too significant to really believe. The story starts to pick up then BAM!!! Th...more
it w short but very very poignant..it gives you this really eerie feeling, the books creates a dark morbid feeling...i didn't like the story...but that does not mean i was not impress with the author..this book is rather fine...really really fine.. the author is amazing! gosh..ok..this is one of those times when i dont know how to say how amazing it truly is....the whole books is so dark and so...well...so freaking dark! the feeling it gives you, it's just so sad and weird..
gosh i am really real...more
gosh i am really real...more
This book came to my attention from Oprah's recommendations for summer reads. Its positive aspects are the beautiful writing and brevity of the book. Negatives are the maddening incomprehensibility of the actions of the sister/narrator. it was haunting and not satisfying. I liked how relevant details were revealed very slowly, as it kept me reading. I did not appreciate the inconsistencies in the behaviors of the narrator. It bears discussing with a friend, but not certain I'd recommend it. What...more
wow. this book was a quick, yet heavy, read.
The first half of the book includes lengthy descriptions of springtime and typically uplifting scenery, while there is still a surprising and eerie feeling lingering through every line. The plot of this story is very very simple, but the complexity comes from the descriptions and writing style... which I appreciate. Therese Bohman is amazing at allowing you to feel like you are a part of the story. Every detail of the story is accompanied by descripti...more
The first half of the book includes lengthy descriptions of springtime and typically uplifting scenery, while there is still a surprising and eerie feeling lingering through every line. The plot of this story is very very simple, but the complexity comes from the descriptions and writing style... which I appreciate. Therese Bohman is amazing at allowing you to feel like you are a part of the story. Every detail of the story is accompanied by descripti...more
Author: Therese Bohman
Published by: Nordstedts Forleag
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 4
Blog Review For: GMTA
Review:
"Drowned" by Therese Bohman was a literary, psychological, and chilling -thriller novel.
"Drowned" is of a university student from Stockholm,Marina, visits her older sister on vacation. Stella who is a horticulturist and her husband Gabriel....who is a charismatic older man and a writer. Marina is attracted to Gabriel and senses something very strange in...more
Published by: Nordstedts Forleag
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 4
Blog Review For: GMTA
Review:
"Drowned" by Therese Bohman was a literary, psychological, and chilling -thriller novel.
"Drowned" is of a university student from Stockholm,Marina, visits her older sister on vacation. Stella who is a horticulturist and her husband Gabriel....who is a charismatic older man and a writer. Marina is attracted to Gabriel and senses something very strange in...more
I'm just not sure how I feel about this one, it has the potential for another star yet somehow I just can't bring myself to say "I liked it". Translated from Swedish, it was a little strange and didn't exactly end how I thought it would. I felt that it certainly didn't compare with Swedish crime genre that's so popular at the moment but for a 2hr read it wasn't too bad. It explores the themes of an abusive relationship and the traps people can fall into. I was really in the right mindset when I...more
I could easily have read this in one sitting if I didn't have to contend with the length of my lunch break and the necessity of attending my book club! As it is, I read it in 3 sittings. The reason I didn't want to put it down is that the writing is so... beautiful? Engaging? Powerful? Enticing? I'm not quite sure what to call it. The descriptions were phenomenal, and I felt like I really was in this isolated farmhouse, first in the stifling heat of summer and then in the dripping chill of late...more
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Another dark thriller from another Swedish author. What is going on in that country? They all write dark, menacing, lyrical stories these days.
Although dark and psychologically frightening, this short novel is beautifully written in lyrical prose. Do read if you like pitch black stories. No new plot is offered here but what is offered is a quick, thrilling read.
Actually 3.5 stars. Note : serious feminists most likely will not like this story at all.
Although dark and psychologically frightening, this short novel is beautifully written in lyrical prose. Do read if you like pitch black stories. No new plot is offered here but what is offered is a quick, thrilling read.
Actually 3.5 stars. Note : serious feminists most likely will not like this story at all.
Languid, yet with suggested moments of passion and brutality. This is not a romance novel. It is a novel in two parts. Basically 'before' and 'after' an event.
I can't say it's an exciting novel. Not the kind of book I would usually read, but it is a work of literary fiction and should be treated as such. I didn't really connect with the characters, but felt as though I was almost in reach of them, like it was all just a bit of a dream. not a long book, it's a quick read and probably a good summe...more
I can't say it's an exciting novel. Not the kind of book I would usually read, but it is a work of literary fiction and should be treated as such. I didn't really connect with the characters, but felt as though I was almost in reach of them, like it was all just a bit of a dream. not a long book, it's a quick read and probably a good summe...more
This is a lot of unrealized potential. Extremely simplistic, somewhat sociopathic account of sibling relationships and abusuve marriage.
I'm not sure I agree with the description of this as a mystery - perhaps a dysfunctional family drama is a more accurate description. Perhaps the fault belongs to the translator, but regardless, the base material is underdeveloped, the story riddled wirth impluasibility and ultimately this novella is not worth the effort.
I'm not sure I agree with the description of this as a mystery - perhaps a dysfunctional family drama is a more accurate description. Perhaps the fault belongs to the translator, but regardless, the base material is underdeveloped, the story riddled wirth impluasibility and ultimately this novella is not worth the effort.
I really liked the way the book was written, the author makes you feel like your there! The first part is a little slow but the plot gets thicker once you get to the second part. I like the way you get a sense of Gabriel'a character from the beginning, you feel something is wrong with him but you can't quite figure it out. Then at the end everything comes together! It's a quick read so I definitely recommend it to everyone :)
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Therese Bohman is an editor of the magazine Axess and a columnist for Expressen and Tidningen Vi, writing about literature, art, culture, and fashion. She lives in Sweden.
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