Colony

A mega best-seller in Sweden, with rights sold to over a dozen countries and a TV adaptation underway, Annika Norlins debut novel The Colony is the biggest Swedish literary phenomenon since Fredrik Backmans A Man Called Ove.Adisturbing, engrossing portrait of a tiny community living beyond society.Joumana Khatib, The New York Times Book ReviewWinner of the Vi Literature Award and Swedish Radios Novel Prize, two of Swedens biggest literary awards, The Colony is a gripping portrayal of contemporary society and its alternatives.Burnt-out from a demanding job and a bustling life in the city, Emelie has left town to spend a few days in the country. Once there, in the peaceful, verdant hills, down by the river she encounters a mysterious group of seven people, each with personal stories full of pain, alienation, and the longing to live differently. They are misfits, each in their own way, and all led by the enigmatic and charismatic Sara.How did they end up there? Are they content with the rigid roles theyve been assigned? And what happens when an outsider appears and is initially drawn to their alternative lifestyle but cannot help but stir things up?A masterful blend of humor, emotion, unforgettable characters, and sharp social commentary, The Colony is a magnetic and deeply touching story about love, community, and the unfathomable power we other others and that others have over us. Norlins writing (as translated by Olsson) is clever and incisive, poking fun at modern society and the woodland community in equal measure... Ultimately, this is a treatise on humanity, on the things people need and the power and frailty of human connection. This is a novel that will stick with you.Kirkus Reviews(Starred Review)