1793

About the book

Book author: Niklas Natt och Dag

The book takes place in 1793. The King of Sweden, Gustav III, has been murdered a year ago. The young prince is not of age, and Stockholm is a shithole. Sweden is on the brink of bankruptcy after a meaningless war with Russia, and being torn apart from within due to self-interest, corruption and unhappiness.

In the small lake that used to exist on Södermalm, “Fatburen”, two kids find a mutilated body. By fate, a one-armed veteran meets a retired detective who is fatally sick with tuberculosis. They take on the case, not only for the victim’s sake, but also for their own redemption.

Reflection and takeaways

This book is a real page-turner. I don’t usually read crime, but the setting of 1793 in Stockholm is magnificently pictured by the author. It doesn’t take place among nobles and aristocrats in giant halls. The state is destitute. People are drunk, suffering and living in a society that is truly brutal and unforgiving. It is not a book for the faint of heart.

I think this book really embodies what life in the past used to be. We think we have problems now, but our ancestors just roll in their graves laughing. The lucky few who survived to adulthood had to fight in meaningless wars, cope with diseases, starvation, injustice, corruption and calamities beyond count. Oh, and everyone was drunk all the time to cope.

I found that this book really gave me insight – it gives such a perspective on what life could have been. Modern life in Stockholm is so different. It’s calm without too much going on, apart from political debates online. I am so thankful to be born when I am.

My biggest “takeaways” from this time:

• Violence and crime was everywhere, because the chance of getting caught was negligible. People beat each other up because they looked at them funnily.
• Your reputation was of utmost importance. Just suspicion and rumors could get you into all kinds of trouble.
• Physical size was a gift. People didn’t mock you as much.
• Everyone could be bribed. Everyone just minded their own business.

I have walked on many of the streets. Some of the buildings still stand. I like strolling around Stockholm. It created a bond I don’t usually feel with books.

But what I absolutely loved most was the language and prose. I have never said that before. The dialogue in Swedish is magnificent; “older” Swedish absolutely had a beauty to it. The fresh of breath air through the otherwise very dark book is the wit of all the characters and how they express themselves. Some of the insults are absolutely magnificent. I just love how people didn’t give a shit. People were by default very rude and suspicious.

I’ll end with one of my favourites.

“Han luktade som ett kroggolv” -> “He smelled like a tavern floor”

said about someone extremely drunk in passing.

Why did I pick it

Recommended to me by a friend who reads much.

Verdict

4.0/5. Solid book.