Scandinavian Crime Thrillers Today

Lectures at several San Francisco libraries help put perspective on modern Sweden - through today's popular crime thrillers. 

  • Bellmansgatan, Söder, known to the world through Stieg Larsson's Millennium books. Photo: SVB/Erik G. Svensson.

  • Scandinavian crime thrillers
    Lectures at several San Francisco libraries help put perspective on modern Sweden - through today's popular crime thrillers. Many Swedish Americans find fun and enriching ways to live their heritage in America, but some of those activities — folk dancing, embroidery, cooking heirloom recipes — may actually harken back to the Sweden of 150 years ago when their ancestors came to America. The Sweden of today is a modern, diverse and urban place that can be a challenge for Swedish Americans to connect with as the land of their forefathers.
    Swedish crime novels have a way of helping facilitate that connection. Crime thrillers enable readers to learn about the real lives of Scandinavian people today and are a fun and exciting introduction to literature and the humanities.
    When Maj Sjöwall and Pär Wahlöö started writing 50 years ago, they began presenting a picture of their country and its people through crime novels. Sjöwall and Wahlöö presented a critique of the Swedish welfare state and highlighted the struggles of the poor and neglected. They also offered a vivid sense of place — the beautiful countryside, the Göta Canal, the picturesque buildings and streets of Stockholm.
    These novels have enjoyed huge public success. Dr. Jim Kaplan, professor emeritus at Minnesota State University Moorhead, has read and studied them and will present a discussion of these Scandinavian crime novels that are enjoying world-wide popularity.
    Kaplan’s library lectures will feature “Jar City” by Icelandic author Arnaldur Indridason, “Occupied” by Norwegian author Jo Nesbø, and “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” by Swedish author Stieg Larsson, with film clips from internationally recognized main characters Lisbeth Salander, Kurt Wallander and Harry Hole.
    Discussion participants may bring a brown bag supper. The programs are free and open to the public on:
    Feb. 1, 2017 at 6 p.m. at San Francisco Main Library
    Feb. 2, 2017 at 7 p.m. at San Francisco Public Library, Merced Branch
    Feb. 3, 2017 at 12 p.m. at Woodside Public Library
    See http://www.nordstjernan.com/calendar for more information