Maj Sjöwall: R.I.P.

Another sad day: Maj Sjöwall passed away today at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness. She was known as the Queen of Crime in Sweden. Sjöwall was an author and translator, best known for the collaborative work with her partner Per Wahlöö on a series of ten novels about the exploits of Martin Beck, a police detective in Stockholm. They also wrote novels separately.

In 1971, the fourth of the Beck books, The Laughing Policeman (a translation of Den skrattande polisen, originally published in 1968) won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Novel and was adapted into the film The Laughing Policeman starring Walter Matthau.

Maj Swowall in conversation with Lee Child at Crimefest

Article about Maj Sjowall in The Observer. 

Roseanna (1965) [1967] 
The Man Who Went Up in Smoke [1969] 
The Man on the Balcony [1968] 
The Laughing Policeman [1970] 
    1971 Edgar Award for Best Mystery 
    Finalist 1971 Gold Dagger Award 
The Fire Engine That Disappeared [1970] 
Murder at the Savoy [1971] 
The Abominable Man [1972] 
The Locked Room [1973] 
Cop Killer [1975] 
The Terrorists [1976]

Scandinavian Crime Thrillers Today

Scandinavian Crime Thrillers Today

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

HT: Sue Trowbridge