I've already written (probably more times than you care to hear) about how much I am enjoying Kristin Lavransdatter (I think I have even talked a coworker into reading it now!). It has piqued my curiosity about other books by other Scandinavian writers (both contemporary and classic). At first when I was searching I didn't seem to be coming up with many results, but the more I looked, the longer my list became. So here are some titles I've come up with that I either own or that appeal to me, and I might search them out. And I did cheat a little--some authors are not Scandinavian, but the setting for their books is.
- Pan and Victoria by Knut Hamsun -- He is another Norwegian author to win the Nobel. I think he is actually famous for Hunger, but I don't think I am ready to jump into that one yet (after reading the description). I have checked out Victoria, however.
- Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason -- This is an Icelandic police procedural that I have been wanting to read.
- Gunnar's Daughter by Sigrid Undset -- Yes, I plan on reading more by Undset!
- Four Major Plays by Henrik Ibsen -- I'm not sure what I want read by Ibsen, but I should read something! My library also has several film versions of his plays.
- Summer Book by Tove Jansson -- I've read wonderful things about this book at Stuck in a Book, which prompted me to order it. I think she has a Winter Book, too.
- Seven Gothic Tales by Isak Dinesen -- I have several of her books--she was an amazingly interesting person, and I'd like to read some of her fiction.
- Greenlanders by Jane Smiley -- I recently mooched this one.
- Thrall's Tale by Judith Lindbergh -- (I don't like the cover design of the book, but the story sounds good).
- The Fish Can Sing by Halldor Laxness -- I found this one in a used bookstore not too long ago. Laxness is another Nobel winner.
- Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum -- A Norwegian detective series featuring Inspector Sejer.
- Return of the Dancing Master by Henning Mankell -- This is a mystery series set in Sweden.
- Before You Sleep by Linn Ullmann -- A novel about four generations of a Norwegian family.
- Torso by Helene Tursten -- Another mystery series, this one set in Sweden and with a female detective. I've already requested this one from my library, though it sounds like it could be a bit gory.
- Royal Physician's Visit by Per Olov Enquist -- This novel is based on actual historical events concerning the royal family of Denmark in the 1700s.
I'm not sure when it comes to international fiction how much of it ever gets translated into English, which makes you wonder what great books you are missing (not that there isn't plenty to choose from in English, but it is always interesting reading foreign authors). How do publishers decide? There does seem to be a nice variety of mysteries, thrillers, and police procedurals that get translated into English, which I find very interesting (I didn't even list all the authors I found). If I am missing some major (or minor, or even some unknown) author please let me know. I am, as always, on the look out for good books to read. I also would like to read some Scandinavian sagas, but to be honest I haven't a clue where to even begin. Suggestions welcome.