8 TOP NORDIC READS

Nordic Noir gets all the press, but the Scandinavian literary scene is brimming with classic and contemporary works that hop the crime-fiction fence. Representing Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, the following eight works span 60 years of modern Nordic writing, a slew of themes and genres and, yes, a couple of seminal nods to Noir. Reader, if you’re seeking a literary nail-biter, mind-bender, daydreamer, or soul-lifter, then step into our library.

Photo: Open Letter Books

One Of Us Is Sleeping by Josefine Klougart

Danish, 2012

This haunting and lyrical Danish novel paints a picture of a woman grappling with grief and self-discovery. Klougart delves into the emotional landscape with a poetic and introspective style, weaving together the threads of memory, love, and solitude. Unflinching and elegant, this is a novel for readers who want to go deep into human relationships and wander the intimate corridors of the heart. Klougart is a master of contemporary Danish literature.

Photo: Picador

Smilla’s Sense Of Snow by Peter Høeg

Danish, 1992

This early-nineties Danish masterpiece catapults readers into a world of mystery and intrigue. We follow Smilla Qaavigaaq Jaspersen, a half-Inuit, half-Danish woman, as she investigates a young Greenlandic boy’s mysterious death in Copenhagen. Høeg’s evocative prose unpicks the complexities of identity and belonging against a stark but spellbinding backdrop of people and places. This is a global bestseller, pegged by The New York Times as a “publishing sensation” and “America’s gateway drug to a long-term dependency on Nordic noir.”

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

Swedish, 2009

This Swedish gem is a rollicking adventure that chronicles the escapades of Allan Karlsson, who, on his centennial birthday, flees his nursing home, setting off a chain of events involving gangsters, a suitcase of cash, and an elephant. Jonasson’s witty narrative of Karlsson’s extraordinary past showcases an uncommon knack for storytelling and resounds with the energy of a life lived on one’s own terms.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Swedish, 2009

Stieg Larsson’s iconic Nordic Noir novel follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and enigmatic hacker Lisbeth Salander, who team up to solve the decades-old disappearance of a wealthy family’s scion. Blending intricate plotting with incisive social commentary, Larsson skillfully interlaces the worlds of corporate intrigue and personal trauma, while Salander emerges as a complex feminist antihero. The international bestseller has spun off into sequels and a film series and remains an indelible mark on modern Swedish literary heritage.

Paradise Rot: A Novel by Jenny Hval

Norwegian, 2018

Paradise Rot: A Novel is a poetic and introspective musing on female sexuality and personal identity, told through the journey of a young woman studying in Norway. Hval shies from neither the visceral nor the cerebral as she candidly explores complex relationships, queer desire, academic pursuits, and the artistic essence of life, against a vivid background of Norwegian landscapes. This is the debut work by the critically acclaimed artist and musician, and her narrative prowess renders this a distinctive gem in Norwegian literature.

The Book of Reykjavik: A City in Short Fiction by various authors

Icelandic, 2021

This anthology is a captivating mosaic of short stories that capture the multifaceted soul of Reykjavik, through writings by some of the country’s best new authors. From bustling cafes to hidden corners, each narrative captures a snapshot of Icelandic urban life. These tales traverse genres and emotions, offering readers a kaleidoscopic view of Reykjavik’s essence. With contributions from diverse Icelandic voices, this collection weaves a rich tapestry of human experiences against the backdrop of the city’s unique charm.

Woman At 1,000 Degrees by Hallgrímur Helgason

Icelandic, 2011

This narrative of this illuminating celebration of the resilience of the human spirit is an intricate tapestry of stories woven in the mind of an eighty-year-old Icelandic woman named Herra Björnsson. Her poignant journey unfolds as she awaits death alone in her garage and considers the 1,000 degree Celsius temperature of the cremation chamber. Within the confines of her memories, readers traverse a lifetime—love, family, global upheavals, and personal triumphs. Helgason’s prose is saturated with the rugged beauty of Iceland, echoing the strength and tenacity that define the nation’s character. The novel captures the essence of a full life, radiating warmth against the backdrop of cold isolation.

The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas

Norwegian, 1963

This mid-century classic crystallizes the essence of isolation and youth. Set in a small Norwegian village and centred on the friendship between two young girls, Siss and Unn, the tale builds powerful emotional depth as Unn’s sudden disappearance leaves Siss grappling with confusion and loss. On the wings of stunningly evocative prose, the Norwegian landscape becomes a mirror for the characters’ internal struggles. This is a gold-standard meditation on human connection and the fragility of young hearts.