The Colony

A mega best-seller in Sweden, with rights sold to over a dozen countries and a TV adaptation underway, Annika Norlin’s debut novel The Colony is the biggest Swedish literary phenomenon since Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove.

Winner of the Vi Literature Award and Swedish Radio’s Novel Prize, two of Sweden’s biggest literary awards, The 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 but stir things up?

A masterful blend of humor, emotion, unforgettable characters, and sharp social commentary, The Colony is a magnetic and deeply touching story about love, community, and the unfathomable power we other others and that others have over us.

TARGET CONSUMER
- Readers of literary fiction who are especially interested in community and inter-personal dynamics; readers interested in stories about group living, societal roles, and the balance between individuality and belonging.
- Readers who enjoy novels set in nature and books that explore the relationship between society, individuals, and the natural world.
- Readers of Swedish and Scandinavian literature.
- Fans of Annika Norlin's music projects, Säkert! and Hello Saferide, who are interested in exploring her literary talents.

KEY SELLING POINTS
- William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies meets Emma Cline’s The Girls in a careful, gripping psychological literary thriller set in the northern wilds of Sweden that marries social commentary, political allegory, profound insight into the human psyche, and brilliant narrative craft.
- Annika Norlin, a celebrated Swedish musician, makes her literary debut with a compelling and timely story about the tension between community, individual freedom, and the lust for power and control over others.
- The Colony has received rave reviews from critics and has been shortlisted for several prestigious literary awards. The book will interest critics who write about utopian and dystopian literature, politically relevant fiction, translated fiction, and books about rural and country communities.
- The novel delves into themes of love, societal roles, and the power dynamics within groups, resonating deeply with readers.