Stolen

(Paperback)

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**SOON TO BE A MAJOR NETFLIX FILM** **THE INTERNATIONAL NUMBER ONE-BESTSELLER** A coming-of-age-story to be loved everywhere in the world FREDRIK BACKMAN, author of A MAN CALLED OVE ___________________________________________ The international sensation: the story of a young Smi girl's coming-of-age, and a powerful fable about family, identity and justice Nine-year-old Elsa lives just north of the Arctic Circle. She and her family are Smi Scandinavias indigenous people and make their living herding reindeer. One morning when Elsa goes skiing alone, she witnesses a man brutally killing her reindeer calf, Nstegallu. Elsa recognises the man but refuses to tell anyone least of all the Swedish police force about what she saw. Instead, she carries her secret as a dark weight on her heart. Elsa comes of age fighting two wars: one within her community, where male elders expect young women to know their place; and against the ever-escalating wave of prejudice and violence against the Smi. When Elsa finds herself the target of the man who killed her reindeer calf all those years ago, something inside of her finally breaks. The guilt, fear, and anger shes been carrying since childhood come crashing over her like an avalanche, and will lead Elsa to a final catastrophic confrontation.

Reviews

Stolen is an extraordinary novel. A coming-of-age-story you'll get lost in, about youth and heritage and the never-ending struggle to be allowed to exist. Although set in the coldest and most northern part of Scandinavia, I'm convinced its a universal story to be loved everywhere in the world -- FREDRIK BACKMAN, author of A MAN CALLED OVE
Beautiful and devastating, Stolen shines a powerful and important light on the Smi community and the growing challenges they face in a changing world -- CAROLE JOHNSTONE, author of MIRRORLAND
Viscerally clear fiction of both the fractured, violent nature of the Smis relationship with their Nordic occupiers and the coming of age of an innocent girl. Written with such cool clarity, Stolen is a perfect metaphor of our slippery grip on humanity and our tenuous relationship with the Earth -- TANYA TALAGA, bestselling author of SEVEN FALLEN FEATHERS
Smi author Ann-Heln Laestadius has written a fresh, devastating, and insightful novel about Smi life and the struggle for justice in a rapidly changing world. A love for the imperiled landscape reverberates throughout this engaging read -- MEGAN MAYHEW BERGMAN, author of HOW STRANGE A SEASON
Stolen is in equal measure a gripping and thrilling mystery as it is a testament to the continued beating heart of Smi life. Ann-Heln Laestadius takes her place as an important voice in world Indigenous literature -- MICHELLE GOOD, author of FIVE LITTLE INDIANS
Laestadiuss nuanced English-language debut is a story of a family torn apart by cultural tensions ... The sense of place and character development make for an affecting portrait of the Smis disenfranchisement * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *
A revelatory account of not-well-known assaults on the rights of an Indigenous group The legacies of long-held social prejudices against the Indigenous group - racism, economic insecurity, and the traumas borne by the communitys elders who had been removed from the group in childhood and sent to nomad schools - continue to haunt Smi life with devastating effects Looming over the tale is the spectre of climate change and its impacts on the traditional Smi herding methods * KIRKUS *
A sharp and socially critical novel with an intensity that makes it powerful and strong ... Whatever you do, dont miss out on this novel * Dagens Nyheter (SE) *
Laestadius writes with burning intensity about a community around the Arctic Circle that is rarely portrayed. Her commitment shines through and constantly urges the reader to continue reading. It may be foolhardy to name this years most powerful book as early as February. But that Stolen is one of the most important Swedish books of the year is indisputable * Demokraatti (FI) *
Stolen is not only a fierce cry for justice, but also an empathic and beautiful story about the love of and nature * Norra Skne (SE) *
One of the most talked about books this spring ... Stolen is a moving, multifaceted, and important contemporary novel that highlights many serious themes and portrays a society and a situation that needs to be discussed many times over. A well-written story that leaves a lasting impression * P4 Vsternorrland (SE) *
A deeply gripping and atmospheric novel that will take hold of your heart. Filled with compelling characters and a formidable landscape - this debut is a triumph! -- DANIELLE DANIEL, award-winning author of DAUGHTERS OF THE DEER
In a careful and at times poetic prose [Laestadius] portrays milieus, conflicts, and magic from an area that has long been underrepresented in literary fiction in Sweden * Expressen (SE) *
Ann-Heln Laestadiuss writing flows seamlessly, with a piercing psychological and keen eye for societal issues. I am especially happy about the elegant ending, that beautifully ties the circle together and brings hope of a brighter future * Hufvudstadsbladet (FI) *
Intimately and vividly portrayed. The novel gives beautiful insights into the life of the Smi and their struggle for justice. An accessible and at the same time deep, beautiful, and suspenseful tale of a part of the world many of us know very little about. It deserves a large audience * BTJ (SE) *
The best trick of fiction is how it can make us feel part of something, and Laestadius does just that ... Incredibly thrilling * Jnkpings-Posten (SE) *
Both a thrilling page-turner and a story to remember for a long time to come * Sundsvalls Tidning (SE) *
Stolen is an important novel that provides insight into modern Smi life. This is the first step in a new direction for an author with a crucial message: I will be sure to follow her going forward * Svenska Dagbladet (SE) *
A stunningly suspenseful, glowing story, in which a perceptive narrator brings a whole new world to the reader * Helsingin Sanomat *
A splendid novel. [...] The characters are lovingly and skillfully portrayed, in such a way that makes it hard to let go of them afterwards * Suomen Kuvalehti *

Author Bio

Ann-Heln Laestadius is an author and journalist from Kiruna, Sweden. She is Sami and of Tornedalian descent, two of Swedens national minorities. She has written seven YA novels and two childrens books and been awarded the prestigious August Prize for Best Young Adult and Childrens Novel for Ten and Norrlands Literature Prize. Published in January 2021, Stolen is Laestadius' first adult novel. A national number one bestseller, it has been sold into nineteen territories and has been awarded the Book of the Year. Laestadius has also been awarded the Adlibris Award for best novel, the Your Book Our Choice Prize, given by the Swedish Association for Bookstore Employees, and the Vsterbottens-Kuriren Prize. She lives with her family in Solna outside of Stockholm.