Colony
A mega bestseller in Sweden - and winner of its two biggest literary awards - Colony is a gripping portrayal of contemporary society and its alternatives. Burnt-out from a demanding job and a bustling life in the city, Emelie has left town to spend a few days in the country. Once there, in the peaceful, verdant hills, down by the river she encounters a mysterious group of seven people, each with personal stories full of pain, alienation, and the longing to live differently. They are misfits, each in their own way, and all led by the enigmatic and charismatic Sara. How did they end up there? Are they content with the rigid roles they've been assigned? And what happens when an outsider appears and is initially drawn to their alternative lifestyle, but cannot help stirring things up? A masterful blend of humour, emotion, unforgettable characters, and sharp social commentary, Colony is a magnetic and deeply touching story about love, community, and the unfathomable power we have over others and that others have over us. 'Swedish author Annika Norlin has written an incisive, character-driven dissection of society and human nature ... Colony is smart and often droll. It features strong characters and world-building, all portrayed with compassion for the nuances of human resilience and frailty.' -Cameron Woodhead, The Age & The Sydney Morning Herald 'What makes this book so clever is that you unwittingly follow Emelie's trajectory of thought about the Colony- suspicious at first, then slowly seduced, before realising that things are not as perfect as they seem. The novel is testament to the power of writerly discipline.' -Laura Hackett, The Times 'Swedish writer Norlin's remarkable debut revolves around a commune in the Swedish countryside ... Norlin's character work is superior, bringing each Colony member to vivid life and examining in nuanced detail how they interact. It's an impressive tale of a found family.' -Publishers Weekly
Annika Norlin (Author) Born in the northern parts of Sweden, Annika Norlin is a writer and musician. She has won numerous awards for her lyrically driven indie pop in her own name, and in projects Hello Saferide and S kert! After searching for her authorial voice for decades, she finally found it in 2020 when she published her debut book, a collection of short stories. Colony is her debut novel. It has won several awards in Sweden and will be published in fifteen languages. Alice E. Olsson (Author) Alice E. Olsson is a literary translator, writer, and editor working across Swedish and English. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Comparative Literature at University College London, specialising in literature and human rights.
Author: Annika Norlin
Format: Paperback, 416 pages, 135mm x 209mm, 410 g
Published: 2025, Scribe Publications, Australia
Genre: Unclassifiable: WZ BIC
A mega bestseller in Sweden - and winner of its two biggest literary awards - Colony is a gripping portrayal of contemporary society and its alternatives. Burnt-out from a demanding job and a bustling life in the city, Emelie has left town to spend a few days in the country. Once there, in the peaceful, verdant hills, down by the river she encounters a mysterious group of seven people, each with personal stories full of pain, alienation, and the longing to live differently. They are misfits, each in their own way, and all led by the enigmatic and charismatic Sara. How did they end up there? Are they content with the rigid roles they've been assigned? And what happens when an outsider appears and is initially drawn to their alternative lifestyle, but cannot help stirring things up? A masterful blend of humour, emotion, unforgettable characters, and sharp social commentary, Colony is a magnetic and deeply touching story about love, community, and the unfathomable power we have over others and that others have over us. 'Swedish author Annika Norlin has written an incisive, character-driven dissection of society and human nature ... Colony is smart and often droll. It features strong characters and world-building, all portrayed with compassion for the nuances of human resilience and frailty.' -Cameron Woodhead, The Age & The Sydney Morning Herald 'What makes this book so clever is that you unwittingly follow Emelie's trajectory of thought about the Colony- suspicious at first, then slowly seduced, before realising that things are not as perfect as they seem. The novel is testament to the power of writerly discipline.' -Laura Hackett, The Times 'Swedish writer Norlin's remarkable debut revolves around a commune in the Swedish countryside ... Norlin's character work is superior, bringing each Colony member to vivid life and examining in nuanced detail how they interact. It's an impressive tale of a found family.' -Publishers Weekly
Annika Norlin (Author) Born in the northern parts of Sweden, Annika Norlin is a writer and musician. She has won numerous awards for her lyrically driven indie pop in her own name, and in projects Hello Saferide and S kert! After searching for her authorial voice for decades, she finally found it in 2020 when she published her debut book, a collection of short stories. Colony is her debut novel. It has won several awards in Sweden and will be published in fifteen languages. Alice E. Olsson (Author) Alice E. Olsson is a literary translator, writer, and editor working across Swedish and English. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Comparative Literature at University College London, specialising in literature and human rights.