Tuesday 1 October 2013

KARIN ALVTEGEN - MISSING


Synopsis/blurb......

Sybilla Forsenstrom doesn't exist. For fifteen years she has been excluded from society and, as one of the homeless in Stockholm, she takes each day as it comes, keeping all her possessions in her rucksack - apart from a knife and salami which she stores in a smart briefcase. She is always well-dressed and displays impeccable manners. One night, in The Grand Hotel, she charms a susceptible businessman into paying for her dinner and room. His dead body is discovered the following morning and Sybilla becomes the prime suspect. When a second person is killed in similar circumstances, she becomes the most wanted person in Sweden.

A couple of my reading challenges that I set for myself is to read a Scandinavian book monthly and also an Award winning crime fiction book. I managed to kill two birds with the one stone here, reading Swedish author, Karin Altvegen’s debut Glass Key Award winning novel Missing. I believe she won the award in 2001 and the English translation first appeared in 2003.

Well how did I get on?

I was fascinated by the author’s portrayal of Sybilla’s existence on the fringes of society.  We see with flashbacks and frequent references to her past; her difficulties with her mother and as a result at school; her struggle to form friendships. This dysfunctional environment and a lack of support cast Sybilla as an outsider, even before her mental disintegration, subsequent hospitalisation and escape. She was an outsider when living within the structures of normal society and now believing she is still pursued, 14 years after the event she flies under the radar.

Until now; with the discovery of a dead businessman with whom she was seen dining with in a smart hotel. Sybilla Forsenstrom - her natural instinct being to evade the authorities – is soon headline news and the prime murder suspect. Life suddenly becomes a lot more difficulty for Sybilla and it’s harder to retain her invisibility.

Further murders follow, along with more revelations from her past; until a chance encounter with a schoolboy, similar in some respects to herself when a teenager, marks a turning point in her life. Slowly learning to trust someone, she starts to fight back to get out from under the shadow of being framed for the murders.          

Overall, I was interested and entertained, though I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second. I preferred the portrayal of Sybilla’s life as a victim, in the margins than as a semi-sleuth trying to find the real murderer. A little stretching of the bounds of credibility, in my opinion, but not so much that I was annoyed and I was still engaged enough to care about the outcome.    

Decent characters, a sympathetic protagonist and an interesting setting all contributed greatly to my enjoyment. 

3 from 5

The author has written another 4 books in the intervening period, but with the library shelves already creaking under the strain of the unread tomes, I will take a rain check.  

I picked up a copy of this second hand earlier this year on e-bay.

10 comments:

  1. Col, I'm not sure I'm ready to read a novel like this one yet but I need to do justice to Scandinavian writers. I have been reading about some really good books coming out of that region and with translations too.

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    1. I enjoyed it, but I had a couple of minor reservations I suppose. You should have plenty of choice when you decide to go Scandinavian!

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  2. I know I should read this - I've read enough recommendations - and I know this sounds feeble, but that cover really puts me off. I think 'not sure I can face a book where that picture is an appropriate illustration.' When I'm feeling strong perhaps. Good helpful review, anyway.

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    1. Moira, thanks, The cover is fairly bleak and does reflect the solitary nature of her existence for large periods, I don't suppose that will make you change your mind then!
      Worth a look, maybe in summer with the sun shining and a glass of wine beside you!

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  3. Col - Glad you thought this a decent read. I really do like Alvtegen's characterisation and I think she does psychological plot themes very well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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    1. Margot - she did develop the character and show us Sybilla's thought processes extremely well. Not always comfortable reading at times, but a good read to end the month on.

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  4. Interesting take. I think I would write the same if I had bothered to finish this one. I tried to read this one two years ago. She has a decent writing style but I got bored with this novel and set it down. I remember it starting off great but... She would seem to be right up my alley, too. If you read and enjoyed another one from her I might reconsider giving her a try. A lot of readers seem to enjoy her work so I am in the minority on this writer. IDK. I might just give her another shot.

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    1. Keishon, I might give her another go if I come across something else, but I'm not going to be pro-active about it. I didn't think....great, now I need to read everything else by her....which perversely I'm kind of happy about - too much already waiting.

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  5. Hmmm, only 3 stars, that is a bad sign. And Keishon did not even finish it. Parts of it sound good, but... This one wasn't on my radar, so I won't put it there based on this review.

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    1. Tracy, I've read far worse and I've read much better to be honest. Hard to recommend it, but I wouldn't necessarily say avoid either.

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