International Praise for Stolen "Shattering and thought-provoking from the first to the last page! . A powerful reading experience about the beauty of the wilderness and the vulnerability of people. An illuminating portrayal of a part of Sweden where villagers, neighbors, and families are set against each other through generations."-- Book of the Year Award Jury Citation "Laestadius''s strong message about the injustice experienced by an indigenous minority gives this novel a universality extending far beyond Sápmi, the lands inhabited by the Sámi people of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and north-western Russia." -- Swedish Book Review (Sweden) "Powerful . Laestadius manages to keep the sense of the Sámi language and their worldview alive and puts it in contact and in conflict with the times in which we live . Whatever you do, don''t miss out on this novel."-- Dagens Nyheter (Sweden) "If the best reading experiences are when you learn something about yourself or the world--and you get a stylistically inspiring experience too--then Ann-Helén Laestadius''s novel exceeds by far.
" -- Norra Skåne (Sweden) "One of the most talked about books this spring . I am impressed how as a reader I''m skillfully and effortlessly initiated into the everyday life of reindeer herders. The book is dramatic and thrilling, yet at the same time filled with grief and an underlying fury . It is such an important story that needs to be read no matter your gender, age, or background. 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 Västernorrland (Sweden) "In 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 . Laestadius portrays many difficulties and complex matters; here is something that must be told, and explained.
And she truly has a beautiful language, meticulous like traditional Sámi handicraft, duodji." -- Expressen (Sweden) "Laestadius writes with burning intensity about a community around the Arctic Circle that is rarely portrayed. About xenophobia, and conflicts between the Sámi and other villagers that are inherited through generations. About reindeer who are killed and mutilated by vengeful poachers, about the passive police force and a destructive silence. With both vulnerability and immense power, Ann-Helén joiks a searing social critique that echoes across borders and latitudes . Laestadius''s own experiences and her background as a young adult writer is evident through her gripping portrayal of Elsa''s coming of age from a girl to a young woman. The ruthless polar night is intertwined with light and warm moments, creating an authentic and empathic portrait . 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 (Finland) "Laestadius beautifully portrays the everyday life of Sámi reindeer herders . The reader gets to experience the freedom of nature--at times with a silence so deafening it could almost rupture eardrums . Stolen offers empathy, warmth, and poignant drama." -- Norrländska Socialdemokraten (Sweden) "The expectations on Ann-Helén Laestadius adult debut have been huge, and how she delivers! Stolen is a powerful, tragic, accusatory, and enlightening tale about the life of the Sámi . As a reader it is a pure privilege to experience the rich and complex history of Indigenous people. The novel vibrates with grief, indignation, despair, and love.
Laestadius is also a master at portraying everyday life; you can really smell the diesel fumes from the snowmobile mixing with newly fallen snow, damp lovikka mittens, and the sharp odour of the remains of a slaughtered reindeer . I could go on and on about all the thoughts and emotions this book awakens in me, but I will settle for these two words: read it!" -- Alingsås Tidning (Sweden) "To kill the reindeer of a nine-year-old girl is calculated cruelty. And to then threaten her life as she witnesses the crime creates a vulnerability that is difficult to grasp. But thanks to Ann-Helén Laestadius''s sparse, steady prose and tight-knit storytelling it becomes possible. You can feel Elsa''s fear in your gut, and understand why she keeps the secret of who she saw to herself into adulthood . Most of all, this is a novel about a young woman, Elsa, growing up. She tenaciously fights the poachers, she demands acceptance among the reindeer herders (and eases the pressure on her brother''s shoulders), she becomes a symbol for the future of her village, and she is the protagonist of a dramatic culmination of almost cinematic proportions. Stolen is both a thrilling page-turner and a story to remember for a long time to come.
" -- Sundsvalls Tidning (Sweden) "The best trick of fiction is how it can make us feel part of something, and Laestadius does just that . Incredibly thrilling." -- Jönköpings-Posten (Sweden) "Laestadius is a skilled storyteller and through her powerful and meticulous style she gives life to the text that makes it feel cinematic. Laestadius portrays the Sámi community in a way that has never been done before; she''s to the point and critical when she highlights gender issues in reindeer herding and shows how structural racial discrimination works and is alive in Sweden to this day . Ann-Helén Laestadius is an important writer and this is something the nomination committee of the Nordic Council Literature Prize ought to realize now." -- Nuorat (Sápmi) "The heart of the story exists in the feeling of powerless fury Elsa''s father holds towards the police''s disinterested lack of investigation into the poaching of his reindeer. It is there in the bullying of the Sámi school children and of the Sámi workers in the nearby mine. It is reflected in the large number of young Sámi who commit suicide in the area.
Ann-Helén Laestadius''s writing is restrained, and at times almost journalistic, yet it has an intensity that vibrates with grief and wrath. Stolen is an important novel that provides insight into modern Sámi 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 (Sweden) "Stolen is in part based on real life events and it begins in 2008 when nine-year-old Elsa bears witness to a man named Robert Isaksson killing one of her reindeer . The animosity between Elsa''s family and the non-Sámi villagers is intimately and vividly portrayed. Above all, the novel gives beautiful insights into the life of the Sámi 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 (Sweden) "Provides insight into the hardships of reindeer herders in our day and age. Laestadius gives us an emotional journey through the coming of age of a young reindeer herder, formed by reindeer theft, animal cruelty, threats, and hate crimes . Stolen is a contemporary portrayal of society. A portrayal of a parallel society that has been formed by both old and new colonialism. This novel is a must read for anyone who is unaware of the xenophobia that exists against the Sámi." -- Offensiv (Sweden) "Affectionate about life as a reindeer herder . The novel is almost poetic in its hints of belief in the supernatural. Here, the author balances on the edge of the mythical, and lands on the credible side.
It''s about standing up for what you believe in. Not least connected to burning topics like climate, economy, and human rights. This novel should be read by anyone who enjoys a great literary story that sheds light on an important subject." -- Adresseavisens (Norway) "You may think that a book about the poaching of reindeer and a conflict between reindeer herders and others isn''t for you . But you''ll be mistaken. Stolen is first and foremost a thrilling and well-written read, and as a bonus you''ll learn something too . The ending is moving and excellent." -- Stavanger Aftenblad (Norway) "Laestadius sparks both anger and unease when she writes about the murder of Sámi reindeer .
With great integrity, Stolen portrays a long-standing and deeply rooted conflict between the Sámi and other villagers in the northern parts of Sweden . Stolen is, without a doubt, a thrilling read." -- Vårt Land (Norway) "The portrait of young Elsa is something the reader will remember for a long time." -- Verdens Gang (Norway).