The Colony
by Annika Norlin
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Description
A mega best-seller in Sweden, with rights sold to over a dozen countries and a TV adaptation underway, Annika Norlin's debut novel The Colony is the biggest Swedish literary phenomenon since Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove. Winner of the Vi Literature Award and Swedish Radio's Novel Prize, two of Sweden's biggest literary awards, The Colony is a gripping portrayal of contemporary society and its alternatives. Burnt-out from a demanding job and a bustling life in the city, Emelie has left show more town to spend a few days in the country. Once there, in the peaceful, verdant hills, down by the river she encounters a mysterious group of seven people, each with personal stories full of pain, alienation, and the longing to live differently. They are misfits, each in their own way, and all led by the enigmatic and charismatic Sara. How did they end up there? Are they content with the rigid roles they've been assigned? And what happens when an outsider appears and is initially drawn to their alternative lifestyle but cannot help but stir things up? A masterful blend of humor, emotion, unforgettable characters, and sharp social commentary, The Colony is a magnetic and deeply touching story about love, community, and the unfathomable power we other others and that others have over us. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Appreciated the unusual plotting in this book and the insights into what makes a cult form and sustain itself and then collapse.
Norlin's characters are all so real: she knows every feeling of every person. In telling the stories of a small group of people who choose to live in near-silent isolation in rural Sweden the author brings a light touch to big ideas.
Mar 2, 2026Swedish
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Llibres que he llegit el 2026
39 works; 2 members
Author Information
6 Works 272 Members
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Awards
Distinctions
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Colony
- Original title
- Stacken
- Original publication date
- 2023
- People/Characters
- Sara; József; Aagny; Sagne; Emelie; Ersmo (show all 8); Låke; Zakaria
- Dedication
- In memory of Åsa Norlin (1946-2023),
who taught me to read. - Blurbers
- Khatib, Joumana
- Original language
- Swedish
- Canonical DDC/MDS
- 839.738
Classifications
- Genres
- General Fiction, Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 839.738 — Literature & rhetoric German & related literatures Other Germanic literatures Swedish literature Swedish fiction 2000-
- LCC
- PT9877.24 .O75 .S7313 — Language and Literature German, Dutch and Scandinavian literatures Swedish literature Individual authors or works 2001-
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 200
- Popularity
- 163,688
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.88)
- Languages
- 6 — Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Swedish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 18
- ASINs
- 3
