A VENETIAN tale of murder, witchcraft, and dubious activity
Short novel set in SWEDEN
3rd June 2026
All My Love by Agnes Lidbeck, short novel set in Sweden. TR: Nichola Smalley
The novel opens with a formal abstract that is intended to send shivers down the spine of the society at which it is aimed, whilst also establishing an unsettling tone for the reader. It references individuals active between 2026 and 2032, judged to have manipulated the democratic process, some of whom have ‘disappeared”; and further consideration is given to whether more people should be investigated. The piece is written in a language that suggests the situation has moved onto a dystopian level and a sense of wariness and unease has become the norm. It of course raises a red flag for where the world is now.
Essentially this is the story of Petra and Johannes, she is a doctor, he a lawyer and of their early days. Moving swiftly forward, however, she is coming to terms with his death and managing things with her three largely adult children. Casting back, chapters are devoted to how Petra, with her childhood friend Julia, set out on their annual trip by train to the North of the country for a few days of skiing. On the train, Petra met Johannes, Julia met Axel. That is the beginning.
How does an average citizen manage politically precarious times? The shifts in time are discombobulating for the reader, dislocating, no doubt reflecting the feelings of those involved in the story. Everyday occurrences and interactions are tempered with circumspection, given the political backdrop.
Agnes Lidbeck, supported by translator Nichola Smalley, has a wonderfully engaging and light hand when it comes to storytelling. For me, I generally enjoyed certain parts of this short novel but as a whole, I found the trajectory a little perplexing and challenging, I struggled overall to find it a really rewarding read.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
Join team TripFiction on Social Media:
Twitter (@TripFiction), Facebook (@TripFiction.Literarywanderlust), YouTube (TripFiction #Literarywanderlust), Instagram (@TripFiction) and Pinterest (@TripFiction) and BlueSky(tripfiction.bsky.social) and Threads (@tripfiction)
Please wait...
