Nordic/Scandi Noir week - 11-18 March

[Tom]

Hi Ian and everyone. Your suggestion of a Scandi theme prompted me to begin re-reading Beowulf (the Seamus Heaney translation). Maybe it's not Noir, but it's certainly dark! And to anyone who read the Penguin Classics edition (almost as old as the original), Heaney's newer translation is well worth reading for the lyrical quality.

[Ian]

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: ""Characterised by dark, wintry settings and even darker themes, Nordic Noir frequently addresses important questions about crime, social welfare, immigration, gender, family and margina..."

The book I enjoyed most was Yrsa Siggurdardottir I Remember You - a bit more layered and atmospheric than others; also Caroline Lea's The Glass Woman On audiobook, I have really been engrossed in Henning Mankell's The Man from Beijing- interesting connection between Sweden and Chinese history and modern culture. Lots I didn't know about the treatment of the Chinese who were used as enforced labour to build the railway in the US. The plot got a bit silly at times but I forgave it that.

[Ian]

George wrote: "Half way through The Snowman by Jo Nesbo. Excellent so far. Nesbo and Jussi Adler Olsen are first rate. Norway and Denmark are well served by by Nesbo and Olsen."

HI George - interesting to hear your views on The Snowman. I think this was Jo Nesbo's first and I am told they get better so, if you liked this one, you will probably enjoy the series.

[Ian]

Tracey wrote: "So far I have read Police, a Nesbo, my least favourite of the Noirs I have read so far. I've also rrad The Killing, One Step Behind (Wallander) and The Silent Girl. I have a Stieg Larsson still to ..."

Really interesting comments about the treatment of characters Tracey. I wonder if it reflects a cultural trait, if there is such a thing?

[Ian]

Mark wrote: "I'm delighted to say that thanks to the discussion and tagging on Twitter on Monday, the top Icelandic crime author Yrsa Sigurdardottir is going to be recording an interview via Skype with me for m..."

That is fantastic Mark - so glad that is happening. Did I also see that Caroline Lea was interested?

Be good to talk about the non-fiction themed week (in June?)as well now - can you let me have your ideas. It isn't one of my main areas of interest so happy to be guided

[J.G.]

Having just returned from another week in Stockholm (one of my sons lives there), where it is getting lighter but still very wintry by my standards at -7c in the mornings, I feel I ought to add a comment about climate and culture when reading Scandinavian Noir. Climate and culture come together everywhere, obviously, but in the North the extreme cold and long dark winters also encourage introspection. People stay indoors or hurry home wrapped in layers of muffling clothing, and have no time to chat or be sociable as they do in southern Europe, so that in turn encourages dark thoughts. In my experience (from sunny Devon to living by the Mediterranean), there is a very disquieting 'noir' in the North that goes beyond fiction. That's not to say I dislike the place or people - far from it - but there is a dark side.

[Ian]

J.G. wrote: "Having just returned from another week in Stockholm (one of my sons lives there), where it is getting lighter but still very wintry by my standards at -7c in the mornings, I feel I ought to add a c..."

That is really interesting - thank you. Inevitable that climate has such an impact I guess.