Different Weltanschauung, different brain space, but still worth it.Īs an introduction to 'Nordic noir', you could miss out, by not reading Henning Mankell. Once you get into the groove it's somewhat soothing, tho a bit at odds with native English crime writing. Maybe it's just how the Swedes, and particularly Henkell, thinks. My advice: stick with it to get the background, and then expect better, though equally dour and old-fashioned writing in the subsequent books.
FACELESS KILLERS FILM SERIES
However, I notice with trepidation that the translator of this book is given another one to do later in the series - I can't remember which one, tho I haven't read it yet (I'm reading out of sequence). However, I gave myself one more to read, before abandoning the series as a bad job: "The Dogs of Riga" was much easier to read (tho a bit redolent of the farfetchedness of Tintin at times) and it's been an upward trajectory ever since, all the way to "The Troubled Man" (the best, although saddest of the bunch) mainly due to the employment of two different translators that have done a much better job than that of the original chosen. The writing, the direction, the sometimes jokey Bergmanesque references, the acting, the use of the locations: all top-shelf BBC and Swedish quality. Everything about it I loved, apart from maybe Sir Ken's overplaying Wallander's diffidence occasionally. But I did, because I loved the English language telemovie adaptation so much. I think because it was Henning Mankell's first outing in crime fiction, or Swedish to English doesn't scan well, but most probably because of the leaden and uninspiring translation, the book creaked and clunked, and was a chore to get through. I've got to say that I was pretty disappointed with this volume. The reaction to them was well portrayed and an exception to the lifeless backdrop.Īfter watching the BBC series with Kenneth Branagh, I thought I'd better read the book it was based on, not least to see how the inevitable compromises between written and visual texts were accommodated. I had no idea such issues existed in Sweden then. The portrayal of illegal immigrants in Sweden that number of years ago was interesting. For example "a seabird flew past" - without further elaboration the information does nothing.
There was local colour, but a lot of the description did not seem to add much to the picture. If he ate a meal then you could be sure a stomach upset was to follow. Outside his police work, everything he touched was a disaster. Apart from the main charcater Wallender, everyone else seemed wooden.
There would not be a sentence anywhere in the book which reaches the complexity of normal written English. I am not expecting Jane Austen and maybe it loses in translation, but I found the sentences simply were not a pleasure to read.
The crime fiction bit was fine but I found everything else rather ponderous. I had heard that this was superior crime fiction so gave a try to a genre I don't normally read. Following his diagnosis in 2014, Mankell wrote a number of articles on his battle with cancer until his death in October 2015 Henning Mankell was born in Stockholm in 1948. In 2008, the University of St Andrews conferred Henning Mankell with an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of his major contribution to literature and to the practical exercise of conscience.
FACELESS KILLERS FILM FREE
Mankell devoted much of his free time to working with Aids charities in Africa, where he was also director of the Teatro Avenida in Maputo. His books have been translated into over forty languages and made into numerous international film and television adaptations: most recently the BAFTA-award-winning BBC television series Wallander, starring Kenneth Branagh. His prize-winning and critically acclaimed Inspector Wallander Mysteries have featured in bestseller lists all over the globe for many years.
Henning Mankell became a worldwide phenomenon with his crime writing, gripping thrillers and atmospheric novels set in Africa.
0 kommentar(er)
