Stolen

by Ann-Helén Laestadius

A captivating Swedish novel tracing a young indigenous woman's fight to safeguard her family's reindeer herd and culture, amidst rising xenophobia, climate change, and a cunning hunter whose actions are dismissed as mere theft. When nine-year-old Elsa witnesses her beloved reindeer calf's brutal killing, her father's attempt to report the crime is met with police apathy, as such incidents are classified as theft and left uninvestigated. Decades later, Elsa, fueled by escalating hatred and threats against her community, decides to challenge the indifferent authorities, leading to a tense showdown with the hunter. Based on real events, Ann-Helen Laestadius's award-winning novel 'Stolen' is a coming-of-age tale, a tribute to a vanishing natural world, and a gripping countdown to a dramatic climax, offering a searing portrayal of a neglected part of Sweden.

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Adelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read about the Sami culture of northern Scandinavia. The book spans decades of generational trauma specifically centering on reindeer mutilation. (The Sami are traditional reindeer herder ). While I loved the issues and feel that it is an important narrative to share, I wish the editor had been more involved in helping the storyline move along and choosing specific topics to invest in. The novel includes so many of the injustices levied upon the Sami as well as so many distinct stories. I found it challenging to follow.