Sunday, October 6, 2013

Translated reviews of “438 dagar” in the Swedish press

6 oktober, 2013 Av  Kommentera
Salomonsson Agency has compiled some of the reviews from last month in the Swedish press about  “438 dagar”. For full reviews visit the book’s Swedish website.
REVIEWS

“A crisp and extremely well-written reportage, ceaselessly suspenseful. As prison memoir it ought to instantly rank among the classics. It is pretty much impossible not be gripped by the effective, dialogue-heavy text… The dialogues are the book’s great strength, they draw you into a reality you can’t shake off. … You are left with a horrifying insight into the situation in Ethiopia and with a human story that is deeply moving. That the book shines a light on the conditions of foreign reporting is equally significant.”
Svenska Dagbladet (Sweden)
“Together [the authors] have created a ceaselessly gripping portrayal, and they are almost ridiculously suitable as literary characters… They left their desks and took great risks for little money in order to devote themselves to the core of journalism: finding answers to things we don’t know. /…/ It’s inconceivable that 438 Days will become anything other than a Swedish nonfiction classic… Rebels, car chases, and prison friendships raise hopes for an unusually large audience. Perhaps that can promote a broader understanding for the importance – and vulnerability – of freedom of speech.”
Expressen (Sweden)
“Outstanding… At times I read their book as a modern take on Dante’s divine comedy. They descend into every circle of hell and suffer the pains that authority has prescribed. They go through purgatory, psychological torture, isolation, mock executions, and bullet wounds… the book about those 438 days exposes a delicate male friendship between two completely different characters: the romantic idealist Martin, and Johan – always on the verge of exploding, often because of global injustice and corruption, but sometimes because he’s out of tobacco. /…/ Persson and Schibbye illustrate, with such brilliant beauty, the deeply existential dimension of survival: How does one cope with a descent into hell?”
Aftonbladet (Sweden)
“A tense thriller… Extremely well-written, enthralling, and fascinating”
Dalarnas Tidningar (Sweden)
“A powerful depiction by two intrepid journalists in pursuit of the truth… A thriller-like story. /…/ Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson’s story will be a future classic in the genre. It is a fascinating and instructive reportage.”
Dala-Demokraten (Sweden)
“Effective and crisp… The book is undeniably captivating, a real page-turner, even though we know it has a happy ending /…/ It reminds us of the importance of looking for answers without asking permission first.”
Göteborgs-Posten (Sweden)
“An unusually gripping reportage… 438 Days has already been labeled a reportage classic and been praised as a prison memoir. One could also argue that the duo reinvents the Swedish reportage with their literary yet raw and direct style, which is combined with sharp political and existential analysis. The text has a fantastic flow. /…/ Not least fascinating and moving is the depiction of a friendship formed under extreme and absurd circumstances… In addition, it is unbearably suspenseful: really, really sweaty.”
Skånska Dagbladet (Sweden)
“The story is propelled by unshakeable faith in the power of truth. Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson’s commitment to press freedom comes across as utterly authentic and altruistic. /…/ 438 Days is alternately narrated by ‘Johan’ and ‘Martin’. It’s a surprisingly effective device… and soon one gets to know two different personalities: the prudent Martin and the irascible Johan, whose different ways of dealing with the situation gives the story a dramatic dynamic… Genuinely fascinating”
Sydsvenskan (Sweden)
“Incessantly fascinating”
Smålandsposten (Sweden)
“Holds the reader in a breathless grip”
Ystads Allehanda (Sweden)
“Eloquent and important”
Gefle Dagblad (Sweden)
“A brilliant text that above all is about journalism itself – its possibilities and conditions. /…/ The suspense is notched up by the present tense form, the careful portrayal, and the extensive dialogue. The alternate narration creates a three-dimensional experience as their personalities collide. Against Schibbye’s calm, diplomatic pitch stand Persson’s eruptions. Even though we know how it ends, the suspense is maintained throughout… A requiem that demonstrates the potential of documentary literature when it is written from an equal perspective.”
Upsala Nya Tidning (Sweden)
“One can read it as a good thriller… very well-written”
Jönköpings-Posten (Sweden)
“A vital document in defense of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Frightening, challenging and very, very important”
Norrbottens-Kuriren (Sweden)
“With 438 Days Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye prove that the long, narrative reportage in book form – tenderly and patiently written – is still superior to all other channels when it comes to immersion and the ability to move and engage.”
Helsingborgs Dagblad (Sweden)
“The story grabs hold. /…/ Dramaturgically effective…a breathless read.”
Fria Tidningen (Sweden)

See also this selection of English-language reports about our case and the misuse of anti-terror laws:

Translated reviews of “438 dagar” in the Swedish press

6 oktober, 2013 Av  Kommentera
Salomonsson Agency has compiled some of the reviews from last month in the Swedish press about  “438 dagar”. For full reviews visit the book’s Swedish website.
REVIEWS

“A crisp and extremely well-written reportage, ceaselessly suspenseful. As prison memoir it ought to instantly rank among the classics. It is pretty much impossible not be gripped by the effective, dialogue-heavy text… The dialogues are the book’s great strength, they draw you into a reality you can’t shake off. … You are left with a horrifying insight into the situation in Ethiopia and with a human story that is deeply moving. That the book shines a light on the conditions of foreign reporting is equally significant.”
Svenska Dagbladet (Sweden)
“Together [the authors] have created a ceaselessly gripping portrayal, and they are almost ridiculously suitable as literary characters… They left their desks and took great risks for little money in order to devote themselves to the core of journalism: finding answers to things we don’t know. /…/ It’s inconceivable that 438 Days will become anything other than a Swedish nonfiction classic… Rebels, car chases, and prison friendships raise hopes for an unusually large audience. Perhaps that can promote a broader understanding for the importance – and vulnerability – of freedom of speech.”
Expressen (Sweden)
“Outstanding… At times I read their book as a modern take on Dante’s divine comedy. They descend into every circle of hell and suffer the pains that authority has prescribed. They go through purgatory, psychological torture, isolation, mock executions, and bullet wounds… the book about those 438 days exposes a delicate male friendship between two completely different characters: the romantic idealist Martin, and Johan – always on the verge of exploding, often because of global injustice and corruption, but sometimes because he’s out of tobacco. /…/ Persson and Schibbye illustrate, with such brilliant beauty, the deeply existential dimension of survival: How does one cope with a descent into hell?”
Aftonbladet (Sweden)
“A tense thriller… Extremely well-written, enthralling, and fascinating”
Dalarnas Tidningar (Sweden)
“A powerful depiction by two intrepid journalists in pursuit of the truth… A thriller-like story. /…/ Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson’s story will be a future classic in the genre. It is a fascinating and instructive reportage.”
Dala-Demokraten (Sweden)
“Effective and crisp… The book is undeniably captivating, a real page-turner, even though we know it has a happy ending /…/ It reminds us of the importance of looking for answers without asking permission first.”
Göteborgs-Posten (Sweden)
“An unusually gripping reportage… 438 Days has already been labeled a reportage classic and been praised as a prison memoir. One could also argue that the duo reinvents the Swedish reportage with their literary yet raw and direct style, which is combined with sharp political and existential analysis. The text has a fantastic flow. /…/ Not least fascinating and moving is the depiction of a friendship formed under extreme and absurd circumstances… In addition, it is unbearably suspenseful: really, really sweaty.”
Skånska Dagbladet (Sweden)
“The story is propelled by unshakeable faith in the power of truth. Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson’s commitment to press freedom comes across as utterly authentic and altruistic. /…/ 438 Days is alternately narrated by ‘Johan’ and ‘Martin’. It’s a surprisingly effective device… and soon one gets to know two different personalities: the prudent Martin and the irascible Johan, whose different ways of dealing with the situation gives the story a dramatic dynamic… Genuinely fascinating”
Sydsvenskan (Sweden)
“Incessantly fascinating”
Smålandsposten (Sweden)
“Holds the reader in a breathless grip”
Ystads Allehanda (Sweden)
“Eloquent and important”
Gefle Dagblad (Sweden)
“A brilliant text that above all is about journalism itself – its possibilities and conditions. /…/ The suspense is notched up by the present tense form, the careful portrayal, and the extensive dialogue. The alternate narration creates a three-dimensional experience as their personalities collide. Against Schibbye’s calm, diplomatic pitch stand Persson’s eruptions. Even though we know how it ends, the suspense is maintained throughout… A requiem that demonstrates the potential of documentary literature when it is written from an equal perspective.”
Upsala Nya Tidning (Sweden)
“One can read it as a good thriller… very well-written”
Jönköpings-Posten (Sweden)
“A vital document in defense of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Frightening, challenging and very, very important”
Norrbottens-Kuriren (Sweden)
“With 438 Days Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye prove that the long, narrative reportage in book form – tenderly and patiently written – is still superior to all other channels when it comes to immersion and the ability to move and engage.”
Helsingborgs Dagblad (Sweden)
“The story grabs hold. /…/ Dramaturgically effective…a breathless read.”
Fria Tidningen (Sweden)

See also this selection of English-language reports about our case and the misuse of anti-terror laws:

Arkiverad under: Boken, english, Pressfrihet, Yihaa!
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