June 26, 2023

Ann-Helen Laestadius, author of "Stolen"

38 minutes

In today’s episode, I talk with the Swedish novel Ann-Helen Laestadius about her novel “Stolen” which was released in an English translation several months ago. It’s part of an ongoing trilogy of thrillers exploring the lives of the Sami people who are an indigenous group living in the northern regions of Scandinavian countries. Ann-Helen is a member of the Sami community and in her book, we follow the adventures of a young girl Elsa and the challenges that she and her people face, especially when the reindeer which the Sami people herd start getting tortured and murdered.

Ann-Helen who is originally from the region around Kiruna, in the very north of Sweden, began her career as a journalist until she started publishing award-winning children’s books and young adult novels. This is her first adult-themed novel, and as you’ll see from the episode, her journalistic skills were very useful in researching and writing about the dangers and challenges that the Sami face.

The books mentioned in this interview:

Ann-Helen’s recommendations with regard to other Scandinavian authors were the following books: Asa Larsson, Rebecka Martinsson

Favourite book that I’ve never heard of: “Blackwater” by Kerstin Ekman

Ann-Helen’s favourite book that she read in the last 12 months: “My Life As A Rat” by Joyce Carol Oates

The book that Ann-Helen would take to a desert island: “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt

The book that changed her mind: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

Find Ann-Helen:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annhelenlaestadius/?hl=en

Book: https://amzn.eu/d/0CR8uYK

Follow me ⁠⁠@litwithcharles⁠⁠ for more book reviews and recommendations!

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