På palmblad och rosor

by Stig Claesson

Detta är den andra boken i triologin som började med Vem älskar Yngve Frej och avslutas med: Henrietta ska du också glömma.

Genres: Swedish Literature

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

John Stig Claesson, also known under his signature Slas, was a Swedish writer, visual artist, and illustrator. Claesson was born on 2 June 1928 in Huddinge, south of Stockholm. He attended the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts between 1947 and 1952, during which time he began to illustrate Swedish literature such as the novels of Per Anders Fogelström. Claesson was the father of actor Leif Claesson.

Claesson debuted in his writing career in 1956, when he was 28 years of age. During his career Claesson published more than 80 books. A number of his books are based on travel abroad and move in the frontier between reporting and fiction. Among his best-known works include En vandring i solen (Walking in the Sun, 1976), which was made into a film with Gösta Ekman in the role of the main character. Claesson provided works about the remote and rural regions of Sweden and describe the conflict between the town and the country in books such as Vem älskar Yngve Frej (1968; Who loves Yngve Frej), which was translated into 10 languages and was filmed for television in 1973 starring Allan Edwall. A stage adaption was created in the 1990s. His last book was God Natt Fröken Ann (Goodnight, Miss Ann), published in 2006.

Stig Claesson's work has received many awards, such as the literature prize of the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet and the Selma Lagerlöf Prize. The University of Uppsala awarded him an honorary doctorate degree in 1974.

The elder Claesson died on 4 January 2008 in Stockholm.

Reviews

[Stefan Lindström · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book's greatest strength lies in its protagonist's inner monologue—his endless, circular ruminations that deliver a remarkably strong comedic effect. I haven't laughed as sincerely and frequently with any other book as I did with this one. It seems that Stig Claesson's sense of humor aligns perfectly with mine. However, the book does have lengthy sections that seem directionless or contribute unclearly to the plot. These parts I could have done without. Although the book is short, it could have been improved by being even shorter; such an adjustment could have brought it within reach of a perfect rating.

[Luni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 🌟
It doesn't feel right with either 3 or 4. The prose is so natural, full of anxiety and character. Yet I am not sure I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the novelty of it, I rarely read old swedish writers.
The prose shows a stream of consciousness that reminds me of the books about Maj, Att föda ett barn by Kristina Sandberg. I think that the anxiety rubs off on me and so I can admire the work but not enjoy it.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy read, despite the way all the speech runs together and the now old-fashioned Swedish. Spoiler: I really wanted an explanation about the old lady but it never came so the ending was rather disappointing. The general theme is still relevant today. Who does want to take care of old people, especially in remote areas?

[Erik Wallmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lättsam, tung, rolig och märklig. En slags proto-Fosse-prosa där allt är färgat av ett slags vansinne och dysterhet.