http://books.google.com/books?id=o83Ty47d-VwC&dq=henning+mankell+pyramid&sitesec=reviews
Allow me to introduce you to a friend that you might not have known about:
Henning Mankell's detective Kurt Wallendar is an engaging character because he is not a super-sleuth, rather a methodical, hard-working, tenacious policeman who lives each case in almost all conscious moments (or so the author would have you believe). Wallendar is an anti-hero, imperfect, at times neurotic, but always pursuing truth (even in his own dark heart). This book is the prequel to the long Wallendar series Mankell wrote in the 1990s, with four short stories plus the introduction to the detective (Pyramid). Despite a translation into English the prose is captivating.
Popular Swedish novelist (www.stieglarsson.com) Stieg Larsson (deceased) counted his inspiration as reading the books of Henning Mankell. I like these writers because I learn about another country and their culture, the characters are flawed, asymmetrical, and the prose is straight-forward, in that the writing is not complicated but the plot certainly is. I give this genre a high recommendation, although Larsson is rather graphic (adult subject-matter) at times.
Loved the first Kurt Wallander mystery: "Faceless Killers" (Ordfront Forlag/Sweden 1991) RE murder in Lunnarp. He is a detective that everyman can relate to; sometimes dazzling, sometimes bungling... Kurt Wallander is such an endearing character, highly recommend **** out of 5 stars!
ReplyDeleteNext book "Dogs of Riga"
ReplyDeleteKurt W is always questioning the interconnected forces against him "behind the scenes" wondering whether the system has passed him by. He is humbly self-effacing, uncertain about his abilities to solve crimes in a totally new Sweden, as if maybe his police skills are out-moded. Even slightly hypochondriac, he slogs through his days dutifully, faithfully, persistently, but always laser-focused on the truth, which ultimately is his friend. This middle aged detective reminds me of Roland March, Harry Bosch, Bob Lee Swagger, in his own unique way. You got to get to know him?!
ReplyDelete"The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man. Nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments fall, nations perish, civilizations grow old and die out, and after an era of darkness, new races build others. But in the world of books are volumes that have seen this happen again and again, and yet live on, still young, still as fresh as the day they were written; still telling mens hearts of the hearts of men centuries dead." --Clarence Day
ReplyDeleteIn a recent interview Mankell said about the book Kennedy's Brain, “The story is symbolic for what we don't know. What is kept concealed from us.”
ReplyDeleteI thought the prose was elegant in places but overall was not as satisfied as I am with the Kurt Wallander detective series.
The quote on the title page of part I (Christ's Cul-de-sac) is perfect for Henning Mankell.