Stolen_Laestadius_high_res
2024 Nominated

Stolen

Translated from the original Swedish by Rachel Willson-Broyles
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Nine-year-old Elsa lives just north of the Arctic Circle. She and her family are Sámi, Scandinavia’s indigenous people, and make their living herding reindeer. One morning, Elsa witnesses a man brutally killing her reindeer calf. She recognises the man but refuses to tell anyone – least of all the Swedish police force – about what she saw. A decade later, Elsa finds herself the target of the man she first encountered all those years ago, and something inside of her finally breaks. The guilt, fear and anger she’s been carrying since childhood come crashing over her like an avalanche, and will lead Elsa to a final catastrophic confrontation.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Ann-Helén
Laestadius

Ann-Helén Laestadius is an author and journalist from Kiruna, Sweden. She is Sami and of Tornedalian descent. Stolen is Laestadius’ first adult novel. An international number one bestseller, it has been sold into twenty-two territories. Laestadius has also been awarded the Adlibris Award for best novel, the Your Book Our Choice Prize, given by the Swedish Association for Bookstore Employees, and the Västerbottens-Kuriren Prize. She lives with her family in Solna outside of Stockholm.

Ann-Helén Laestadius is an author and journalist from Kiruna, Sweden. She is Sami and of Tornedalian descent. Stolen is Laestadius’ first adult novel. An international number one bestseller, it has been sold into twenty-two territories. Laestadius has also been awarded the Adlibris Award for best novel, the Your Book Our Choice Prize, given by the Swedish Association for Bookstore Employees, and the Västerbottens-Kuriren Prize. She lives with her family in Solna outside of Stockholm.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Rachel
Willson-Broyles

Rachel Willson-Broyles became interested in Sweden and the Swedish language at an early age. She majored in Scandinavian Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and received her BA there in 2002. She started translating while a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she received a Ph.D. in Scandinavian Studies in 2013. Rachel lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Rachel Willson-Broyles became interested in Sweden and the Swedish language at an early age. She majored in Scandinavian Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and received her BA there in 2002. She started translating while a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she received a Ph.D. in Scandinavian Studies in 2013. Rachel lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Drawing inspiration from true events, the author skillfully uncovers the deep-rooted tensions between ethnic communities in this lesser-known part of Europe. The novel is not only a literary masterpiece but also an enlightening tale that delves into the rich and distinctive historical legacy of culture, shedding light on the challenges confronted by its people. A compelling narrative that seamlessly weaves fiction with reality, this book deserves recognition for its profound exploration of human experience and cultural understanding.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
31/01/2023
Country
Sweden
Original Language
Swedish
Publisher
Bloomsbury Publishing
Translator
Rachel Willson-Broyles
Translation
Translated from the original Swedish by Rachel Willson-Broyles
Borrow this book from Libraries Ireland

RELATED FEATURES

Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner in Conversation

Watch 2026 Dublin Literary Award winner, Ali Smith, and author Belinda McKeon in conversation, which took place on 22nd May 2026 at the Dublin International Literature Festival
Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

Watch back the 2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony which took place on 21st May 2026
News May 21 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 16 2026

Brigitte Giraud – Live Fast Q&A

Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.