This is the latest in a series of occasional posts featuring books I read years ago about which I was wildly enthusiastic at the time, wanting to press a copy into as many hands as I could.
Linda Olsson’s Astrid and Veronika is as near as it gets to a perfect read for me: lean, elegantly beautiful prose which shows never tells all topped off with a gorgeous jacket fitting the novel beautifully. Books rarely move me to tears – it’s cinema that reduces me to a sniveling mess – but this one did.
In the hope of coming to terms with the death of her partner, Veronika has rented a small house in the Swedish countryside in the middle of a bleak, harsh winter. She wants to be alone, seeking the quiet stillness needed for thought, contemplation and writing. Her arrival is watched by Astrid, her reclusive elderly neighbour, who tentatively reaches out to Veronika, cooking her delicious meals, Theirs is difficult friendship which takes time to root itself but when it does these two find an affinity, confiding past loves, losses and secrets.
Astrid and Veronika is such a beautiful book. Olsson’s descriptions of the Swedish countryside are lyrical and poetic; her depiction of these two women, both immersed in sadness, heart-wrenchingly poignant. I wish I could urge you all to take yourselves off to the nearest bookshop and buy a copy but sadly, for UK readers anyway, it’s out of print here. The rest of you might have better luck.
What about you, any blasts from the past you’d like to share?
You can find more posts like this here.
I had never heard of this. It sounds lovely! Onto my list it goes.
I hope you can track it down, Rebecca. I’d love someone to reissue it here in the UK.
I follow your blog and so far I’ve enjoyed all your recommendations. Book Club selection: The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao – loved it !
This one Sounds like a good read- I’ve ordered it on Kindle love your blog!
That’s lovely to hear, Kathleen. Thank you. Particularly pleased about The Invisible Life…
Thank you for the recommendation! A blast from the past I enjoy again and again is “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth von Arnim.
You’re very welcome. Oh yes! Ioved The Enchanted April.
Oh that’s great to hear about this book! I’ve had this on my list to read for so very long! She’s coming out with a new one soon eh? A Sister in My House – comes out in April 2018. (I’ve added it to the pile too!) 😉
Such an evocative, gorgeously written novel! I didn’t know about A Sister in My House. Fingers crossed that someone will publish it in the UK.
Oh, I absolutely loved this one too. And I still remember crying in the employee lunch room over it!
It’s a delight, isn’t it. I wish I’d bought more copies to give to friends when it was in print here.
Your love for this book shines through this review, it sounds beautiful. Lovely review, Susan.
Thanks, Belinda. It’s one of my absolute favourites. I’d love to see it back in print in the UK.
This sounds perfect. What a shame it’s out of print. I’m going to investigate the library 🙂
I hope you can track it down. It’s been out of print for some time, sadly.
Oh sounds like the perfect weekend read! Cozy and elegant. Definitely one to keep an eye on for my (soon to be) PhD free time.
It’s a lovely hymn to friendship, Elena.