lunes, 31 de agosto de 2009

Swedish suspense, how ruthless can it be?


Our perceptions about the world are changing and, as an expression of this new vision, literature is shifting toward more complex plots too. The criminal novel is an example of that. Swedish suspense writers have created more complex novels that include technological knowledge and anti-aesthetic characters which can be disturbing or break sexual paradigms, but generate identification with modern generations. One example of this creative explosion is Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson work.
Henning Mankell creates a family who solve crimes. Kurt Wallander, the detective, is described as a typical Swedish policeman, lonely, cranky and out of shape. Wallander’s daughter is a problem child who grows up traveling between his parents’ houses and pursues her dream to be an artist. This young girl after dropping out of art school decides to become Police Detective. In Mankell novels father and daughter are the most efficient police detective couple ever. “Faceless Killers” the novel where Mankell’s characters debut, it is one of his most famous books, and this is only the beginning of Wallender’s saga.
Siteg Larsson introduces the character of Lisbeth Salander in one of the most popular suspense trilogy of the year. The trilogy has started with “The Girl with the Dragoon Tattoo” and continuous with “the Girl who Plays with Fire.” Right now Larsson’s fans around the world are waiting for the english translation of last trilogy’s novel (this book is already translated to Spanish, Ducht and French) and everybody is trying to figure out how Lisbeth Salander will end up. This trilogy has continued the idea that Henning Mankell proposes: young and not very experienced girls can resolve the most outrageous crimes. Swedish writers transform old and clever men into girls’ personal assistants and this is a revelation regarding suspense literature.
The sad news is that Larsson passed away in 2004 because of a heart attack. We have a great trilogy and a couple of books that cannot replace his absence.
I have to tell that after I had read these two authors, I conclude that Swedish suspense literature can surprise the world in unimaginable ways.