Nordic Noir discussion
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Dee wrote: "good luck Ellie! I know the whole PhD feeling - i'm hoping to have mine done this year - this dang dissertation...lol!"I'm glad someone else feels my pain!
Anna wrote: "Hi Ellie! Good luck with the PhD, but remember you always need some accidental or occasional breaks with some nice books :) if nothing else, you need a nice long run or walk every now and then, and..."That's a very good idea. Praps I can induct my daughter into Scandicrime via audiobooks :)
And hello to kitty :)
Naomi wrote: "Welcome, Ellie!"Thanks Naomi :)
Ellie wrote: "Anna wrote: "Hi Ellie! Good luck with the PhD, but remember you always need some accidental or occasional breaks with some nice books :) if nothing else, you need a nice long run or walk every now ..."I echo what Anna says - I make sure to give myself at least an hour at night to just decompress and read - I'm def. lagging a bit behind some of my friends in the phd program - but they are starting to get a bit burnt out because that is all they have been doing
what is your phd in?
Hi Ellie, SMILLA was my wife Tiina Nunnally's 3rd venture into Nordic crime. Glad you liked it.
Steven T. wrote: "Hi Ellie, SMILLA was my wife Tiina Nunnally's 3rd venture into Nordic crime. Glad you liked it."Excellent. What else has she translated?
Dee wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Anna wrote: "Hi Ellie! Good luck with the PhD, but remember you always need some accidental or occasional breaks with some nice books :) if nothing else, you need a nice long run or w..."In a roundabout way it's management and psychology. I'm basically studying the motivation of academics / faculty members who engage in a programme of activities where they work with people in industry to develop projects. We have a specific scheme in the UK so I'm looking at it in the context of that scheme. I actually spent 10 days at universities in mid-West USA. We went to see how they engaged with their communities. Was a really fascinating experience. What's you PhD in/on?
oh fun - I like psychology geeks like me ;) mine is a qualitative inquire on the descriptive experience of individuals in workplace teams where member change occurs - got lots of stats in the research, but need some descriptive experiences
I'm doing qualitative as well (I'm not a numbers girl); semi structured interviews and some card sort examples. Team work is an important part of the projects as each comprises of an academic / faculty, industry and student associate (the student is based at the industry and takes knowledge from academic and transfers it). Since last April I took maternity leave and only due to start back April 2013 but I'm behind so am planning to get back to it in the next couple of weeks. Moving house at weekend so I should have a proper study area again! Baby has kinda taken over our current place!
(And I'm not a trained psychologist - are you?. It interests me how people tick and work and think and I make reference to psychology but psychological testing isn't the focus. It was my experience of working on projects between universities and industry that got me onto the PhD).
nope, not a trained one - my focus is workplace psychology - so more on the motivation, performance improvement, group dynamics side of the house - but there are a few qualifications I am looking at doing - myers-biggs assessment qualification
Ellie wrote: "Steven T. wrote: "Hi Ellie, SMILLA was my wife Tiina Nunnally's 3rd venture into Nordic crime. Glad you liked it."Excellent. What else has she translated?"
Give me your email and I'll send you a list -- many you will have heard of...
Hi everyone,My name is Shana Norris, and there has been a Stieg Larsson-shaped void in my reading life since I finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
I recently finished the audio versions of Henning Mankell's Faceless Killers and The Dogs of Riga. Kurt Vallander is no Mikael Blomkvist but I'm still hooked on the series.
I'm looking forward to learning more about the genre from all of you. I hope to find authors and titles that will give me my Scandinavian mystery fix!
Shana wrote: "Hi everyone,My name is Shana Norris, and there has been a Stieg Larsson-shaped void in my reading life since I finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
I recently finished the audio ver..."
Alas, I can relate to the Stieg Larsson-shaped void! How I wish he had lived to write all ten of the books in the series. But meanwhile, thank goodness we have the first three.
Florence wrote: "Shana wrote: "Hi everyone,My name is Shana Norris, and there has been a Stieg Larsson-shaped void in my reading life since I finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
I recently finished..."
Been reading Scandinavian writers for many many years and there are many way better. Enjoy the discovery. It makes it hard to read others.....
you guys with the Stieg Larsson void could try James Thompson - he did a pretty good job filling my void
Florence: TOTALLY agree. I read that his partner thought she could probably finish the fourth book. I wish she'd give it a whirl.Sharon: Good to know. It sounds like I'm at the tip of the iceberg as far as this genre goes.
Dee: Thanks for the recommendation. I found a couple of Thompson's books on Audible. I love to listen to these types of books while running. They make a two hour run simply fly by.
unfortunately because Larsson died without a will - even though he and his partner were together for a long time (they never got married), by Swedish law (is my understanding) that everything reverted to his father/brother...and there is a huge court case going on
Dee wrote: "unfortunately because Larsson died without a will - even though he and his partner were together for a long time (they never got married), by Swedish law (is my understanding) that everything rever..."God, her book stunk on it!
I remember you venting about it...lol! probably not a good idea to write a book about how your "husbands" family screwed you...
Shana wrote: "Florence: TOTALLY agree. I read that his partner thought she could probably finish the fourth book. I wish she'd give it a whirl.Sharon: Good to know. It sounds like I'm at the tip of the ice..."
Try to start with Snow Angels as they re character driven....
There are some fabulous IMO female writers too.
But for Nordic Noir Jo Nesbo is really intense with his Harry Hole series.
Most of the series, all countries, seem very character driven and it is good to keep them in order.
I just love them all and am very keen to have found some truly excellent female writers Norway, Sweden and Denmark. It is simply addictive both the books and film/TV series as they have an intensity without the horrid excessive description a good many English language writers indulge in.
Dee wrote: "you guys with the Stieg Larsson void could try James Thompson - he did a pretty good job filling my void"I actually read his books before SL. The love of Jim is pretty apparent in this group though, but it is a well deserved love! We are a picky group of enthusiastic readers!
Hi Everyone,So this is a bit of a late introduction (I've already posted once or twice), but here it goes.
I'm an economics writer, and I started reading nordic noirs because I was trying to learn how to write fiction in the most spare, journalistic way possible. I had also recently finished reading Raymond Chandler, and wanted writers that took the detective genre seriously.
I've gotten through 20 books so far. My original goal was to read all the Glass Key Award winners that have been translated - which I'm 2 books away from at the moment. Since then I've been trying to branch out, which is why I joined the group.
My favorite writers so far have been Johan Theorin (!!!!) and Leif GW Persson. Steig Larsson comes in third, though sometimes I think I like the bumbling and mean Wallander much more than I do the superhuman Salander.
Sharon, I plan to track down a copy of Snow Angels in the next few days. Thanks for the advice re: reading the series in order.
James wrote: "Thank you Dee. You're the best."James wrote: "Thank you Dee. You're the best."
Shana wrote: "Sharon, I plan to track down a copy of Snow Angels in the next few days. Thanks for the advice re: reading the series in order."
JT writes very good noir set in Finland and I think you will enjoy them.
James Thompson (Finland). FB & Twitter & GoodReads.
Snow Angels
Lucifer's Tears
Helsinki White. 2012. Kindle
Helsinki Blood. 21/3/13 pre ordered Kindle
James wrote: "Thank you Dee. You're the best."Jim what happened to The Sleep of the Dead 2013? Is that now Helsinki Blood? Sorry, I am confused as I did not make a proper notation on my list.
Looking forward to the new book.
Thanks.
Got my Helsinki Blood ordered today. I went with the print version this time. I think Pat and I will be able to share it much easier this time, so not so much conflict! Plus, I prefer his books in print vs. ebook. It was only like $2 more so worth it.
I'm picky too. I dream of one day writing a book that I'm truly satisfied with. Ain't gonna happen. But it's a worthy goal.
Until then you can be quite satisfied when your books satisfy a lot of readers' literary tastebuds, I hope :) The same goes for translators too - any Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic etc crime books I've read are both the result of the original authors AND the voice of the translators.
One more author to try for the Stieg Larsson fans... Alexander Söderberg. The Andalucian Friend: A Novel is a bit like Stieg's stuff, and a bit like a Ludlum. Will be out in March...
Brad Could not agree with you more.I love the work of Johan Theorin . I have read all his books. My favourite has been The Quarry. I can hardly wait for his next book The Ayslum which I have already reserved. I also like Arnaldur Indridason and Asa Larrson. And yes like you I have a soft spot for Wallander. Steig Larsson is coming in a distinct fifth after these writers. Why are these Nordic writers so .....good.
Helen wrote: "Brad Could not agree with you more.I love the work of Johan Theorin . I have read all his books. My favourite has been The Quarry. I can hardly wait for his next book The Ayslum which I have alread..."Agree have been saying that for years re books, films and series. Spoils other reading but I have some stuff downloaded and paid for so need to read it too. Not easy though and will stop with many I used to follow and enjoy. Not enough time to read them too....
James wrote: "I'm picky too. I dream of one day writing a book that I'm truly satisfied with. Ain't gonna happen. But it's a worthy goal."Same here, Jim. I'd love to write a book I'm genuinely happy with. But if that ever happens, that's when it might be time to stop.
I haven't gotten to the Quarry yet. I'm looking forward to it! I bought Asa Larssons first book because of my fondness for tax lawyers, I'm glad to see it was a good buy.
Brad wrote: "I haven't gotten to the Quarry yet. I'm looking forward to it! I bought Asa Larssons first book because of my fondness for tax lawyers, I'm glad to see it was a good buy."The Asa Larsson books were amazing one after the other....cannot wait for more. Enjoy.
Brad wrote: "Hi Everyone,So this is a bit of a late introduction (I've already posted once or twice), but here it goes.
I'm an economics writer, and I started reading nordic noirs because I was trying to lea..."
Hi Brad, I've followed a similar trajectory as yours, and have been working the Glass Key list and discovering great authors along the way. I'm very fond of Johan Theorin's non-detective Gerlof. Karin Fossum, and Karin Alvtegen are standouts, and Arnaldur is the purest pleasure to read. I'm monitoring the status of The Dead Detective and Seventh Child and the others not translated yet. Welcome to the group!
Hi Sharon, yeah, the title got changed. SLEEP OF THE DEAD became HELSINKI BLOOD. Happens all the time. It seems every time.
James wrote: "Hi Sharon, yeah, the title got changed. SLEEP OF THE DEAD became HELSINKI BLOOD. Happens all the time. It seems every time."Just as long as you keep writing ...no problem. Have to admit like the final title. All the best.
Sharon wrote: "Florence wrote: "Shana wrote: "Hi everyone,My name is Shana Norris, and there has been a Stieg Larsson-shaped void in my reading life since I finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
I ..."
Welcome Shana. I joined here last year for the same reason! Now I love Jo Nesbo - Harry Hole is now up there with Harry Bosch as one of my favourite characters! Recently I was introduced to Jim Thompson and I am totally hooked! Also love Wallander, Asa Larsson and Karin Fossum most of which I have heard about from this forum. I hope that you find some more fantastic authors and so many books that you enjoy. good luck!
Quentin, I know what you mean, but then what would we do with ourselves? Before I was published, I spent most of my free time writing. After, I now spend all of my time writing. Without it, life would just be an empty hole.
James wrote: "Quentin, I know what you mean, but then what would we do with ourselves? Before I was published, I spent most of my free time writing. After, I now spend all of my time writing. Without it, life wo..."Well, I envy you your writing. I need some hobbies just being retired. Obviously did not pan ahead well :-))
James wrote: "Quentin, I know what you mean, but then what would we do with ourselves? Before I was published, I spent most of my free time writing. After, I now spend all of my time writing. Without it, life wo..."Oh God, Jim...I would hate to see what you would do with yourself! lol
James wrote: "Quentin, I know what you mean, but then what would we do with ourselves? Before I was published, I spent most of my free time writing. After, I now spend all of my time writing. Without it, life wo..."Right enough, Jim. But the chances of writing a book that I'm going to be completely happy with are so remote as to be off the scale.
I meant that if I ever get that self-satisfied with my own stuff, then I reckon I'd be doing everyone a favour by packing it in.
The best book is always the one I'm thinking about, the next book but one that's going to be sooo good, but still turns out to have flaws...
Hey, every book (and movie) has its flaws. Even the perfect books - not every book fits everyone. But a book (or a movie) can still be great and get a perfect store even if not every single bit is "perfect" or something doesn't "fit" perfectly. It can be perfect even when it's not perfect. Take it the same way many oriental rug makers make their rugs: make at least one small mistake if you can't find one... because there is no human perfection. That way you don't have to worry about not reaching the perfection.
Jim, I'd like to imagine you something like a US deputy marshall Raylan Givens if you were not in Finland writing crime... (have you watched any Justified? I'm completely ignorant about the TV selection over there, but at least iTunes could give you a Raylan fix. A brilliant sheriff with brilliant crook friends, based on a book by Elmore Leonard, and located in Harlan County, Kentucky. I'm nearly ashamed to admit I'm hooked on Justified, but a lot of crime fans here seem to have the same addiction).
Yeah Quentin, that pretty much sums it up for me too.
I've heard really good things about Justified. Plus, Some of my family came from Harlan. And if you've read Helsinki White, that sawed off shotgun once belonged to the Harlan sheriff. My dad got hold of it when I was a kid, loaned it to a friend and it was stolen. Damn, what a monster of a gun. A friend of mine is an ATF agent in KY. He loves the show. I'll probably buy the series on DVD. If I hadn't fractured my hip in the army, I might have ended up in law enforcement.
I had forgotten about the shotgun (and it definitely didn't connect with me to Justified as the series is much more recent a discovery and addiction to me).I think they should get the series there too in the TV. Way less well written police series with old German police farts are so popular there and they've been on for decades... :)
Justified is just amazingly well written, plus it's refreshing when a series is based somewhere else than the usual Hollywood series, and doesn't feature only the plastic faces. Oh, and it looks like it's out as DVD already - at least with region code 1... (Do you have a world player already? I'm kind of assuming that would not be the first case of DVDs where you'd be switching between the European 2 and good ole 1)
And now I'm sort of imagining your dad like Arlo, Raylan's dad in the series. Heh.
A quick side note for the UK ereaders (and those in the commonwealth countries except Canada), some good titles for £2,99 as iBooks
http://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/winter...
Includes at least Nesbø... (seen on Nesbø's fan FB page)
Nordic Noir
Books mentioned in this topic
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Evas öga (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Arnaldur Indriðason (other topics)Arnaldur Indriðason (other topics)
Karin Fossum (other topics)
Alexander Söderberg (other topics)
Camilla Läckberg (other topics)
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(P.S. Hi from my girl kitty, you and she share the name...)