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Sailing in September (Schildts & Söderströms 2011, 123 pp.), Johan Bargum’s melancholy, suspenseful and thought-provoking story of two men who set out on one final sail together, has received much critical acclaim since its German publication by Mare in fall of 2014.
A three-time winner of the Society of Swedish Literature Prize, Bargum is one of Finland’s most acclaimed Swedish-speaking authors. Upon its original publication in Finland in 2011, several critics called Sailing in September a masterpiece.
Praise in Germany for Sailing in September:
“Sailing in September is the fall’s finest Finnish crime novel. The sophisticated Bargum is able to explain life, love and a possible murder in the span of 100 pages.”
– Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, Germany
“A novel that impresses with its clear, sober language and its ability to captivate a reader.”
– HR 2 Kultur radio, Germany
“Very exciting, unbelievably original. A real find.”
– SRF 1 radio, Switzerland
“There is no final truth. Bargum says exactly this in beautifully chosen, clear and well thought-out words.”
– Osterholzer Anzeiger & Bremervörder Anzeiger magazines, Germany
“A poetic text.“
– Kulturtipp Zürich, Germany
“A book recommendation for peaceful leisurely hours. It inspires one to think, and perhaps to talk about, whether or not love really is the greatest of virtues.”
– 20er – Tiroler Straßenzeitung newspaper, Germany
“A book made for the late summer.”
– Segel Journal, Germany
“Bargum’s Sailing in September describes a relationship resembling a Bermuda triangle in extremely poetic language.”
– Westfälische Rundschau newspaper, Germany
About the book:
Two men, Olof and Harald, leave on a sailing trip on a September day, carrying unsettled matters from their past. They have both been in love with the same woman, Elin, who is now dead.
Olof and Harald set sail along a familiar route in calm, late summer weather. But as darkness falls over the marina where they have moored for the night, the hurricane lamp is lit – and along with it come secrets, accusations and unanswered questions. At the end of the sailing trip, only one of the men will return to the dock.
About the author:
Johan Bargum (b. 1943) is the author of numerous novels, short stories and plays. Bargum is a four-time winner of the State Prize for Literature, a three-time winner of a prize given by the Society of Swedish Literature in Finland, and the recipient of the Runeberg Prize in 2004. He was also shortlisted for the Nordic Council Literary Prize in 1996.
RIGHTS SOLD: SAILING IN SEPTEMBER
Original publisher: FINLAND (Swedish), Schildts & Söderströms
FINLAND (Finnish), Tammi
GERMANY, Mare
Reading materials:
English sample
Swedish edition
German edition
Finnish edition
Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com