Finally, ‘Let me sing you gentle songs’ also titled ‘Astrid and Veronika’ is available in French, translated by Mélanie Carpe and published by L’Archipel.
Here is a first review, dated 20 January, in Le Monde:
But first, celebrate what has been. The hard work:
and
and music, especially Peace Piece by Bill Evans. And a little wine….
The result:
Albert Bonniers Förlag, Sweden
Aronsen Forlag, Denmark
Penguin, New Zealand and Australia
In line to publish in the new year:
Vigmostad & Björke, Norway, Gummerus, Finland, btb HC, Germany and Penguin, the USA
Also, very excitingly, Let me sing you gentle songs will be published in France in January 2012, and in Russia later in the year. The first little novel travels on.
Time for me to turn my head and my mind to a new imaginary world…
To quote Homer from the Odyssey:
There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.
Copenhagen, November 2011
Again, a small death. Packing up and leaving. It gets no easier with practice.
This time in Sweden has been busy with a lot of domestic travel, public appearences and meetings. Visits to Norway and Denmark. Wonderful, but exhausting. For the first time, I have felt like a proper Swedish author, included. But abruptly, that will all change now, and I will have to start swimming in another sea, at the other side of the earth. I know that once I am there it will feel absolutely fine, it’s just this transition that is so very hard.
On the way to Auckland, I will stop over in Paris for a week, and for the first time meet my French publisher, Archipel. It will be very interesting to see how ‘Let me sing you gentle songs’ will be received in France.
Under resans gång
Somligt har jag lärt mig
under resans gång
Det är inte alltid
namnet på stationerna
som betyder något
utan snarare vem
som möter dig på perrongen
när du väl kommer fram.
During the journey
Some things I have learnt
during the journey
It isn’t always
the names of the stations
that are significant
but rather
who will meet you on the platform
when you finally arrive.
Siv Arb, from Nattens sömmerskor/ Seamstresses of the night
Another very moving New Zealand Review, this time the Rotorua Daily Post.
‘La meg synge deg stille sanger’ (Let me sing you gentle songs) has been shortlisted for the ‘Bergen leser’ award in the city of Bergen, Norway. The Award is organised by the public libraries in Bergen. The list of ten books includes international as well as Norwegian books. The winner will be announced 11 November 2011. See the complete list here.
Sometimes, when a text meets a reader something extraordinary happens. Among the many reviews of ‘The kindness of your nature’ there is one that I will forever treasure. I have never met Dr Cushla McKinney, but it is as if she has been able to read into my words exactly what I was trying to convey. And for this I am so very grateful.
The review of ’The kindness of your nature’ follows after a review of Michale Oondatje’s ‘The cat’s table’ – I’m in wonderful company in every way! Click here to listen.
In January 2012 ‘Astrid and Veronika’ will be published by French publisher l’Archipel. It gives me particular pleasure as France has come to play a more and more important part in my life. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a successful release and send my gratitude to my agent, Stilton Literary Agency, and to my publisher.
Straight to No. 1 one the national booksellers’ chart!
And some very good reviews:
And here I am, on the other side of the earth…
The next country to publish The kindness of your nature will be Denmark. Can’t wait to meet Danish readers att the Bogforum in Copenhagen in November.
Årstaviken, October 2011
So, the dreaded release in New Zealand has happened! Two important reviews so far, both very good. Huge relief, great joy!