Colony

‘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 *

‘Norlin’s characters are all so real; she knows every feeling of every person, which is incredibly hard to do and requires a lot of investment. She also has a wonderfully unpredictable way of writing. It’s both journalistic and poetic, and she moves back and forth between the registers in a way that few writers can. She leans toward the reportorial, but there are beautiful sentences hidden throughout, and when you find one it just knocks you over.’

-- Fredrik Backman * The New Yorker *

‘A disturbing, engrossing portrait of a tiny community living beyond society … Norlin is in full command of her characters’ histories and marshals a tremendous level of detail … My admiration of Colony is equally an appreciation for Alice E. Olsson, whose work to bring the story into English is so precise and vibrant that I often forgot I was reading a translation.’

-- Joumana Khatib * New York Times Book Review *

‘Looks at the possibilities and pitfalls of communal living in a world dominated by societal pressure and environmental challenges … an impressive study of community, secrets and trust.’

-- Catherine Taylor * The Irish Times *

‘Norlin … comments on contemporary society, the environment, and the fragile nature of belonging through her characters and their interactions. For readers of literary fiction who love nuanced characters and stylistically complex novels with a sense of humour and sharp insight into the problems of modern society.’

-- Booklist, starred review

‘Norlin’s writing (as translated by Olsson) is clever and incisive, poking fun at modern society and the woodland community in equal measure … Ultimately, this is a treatise on humanity, on the things people need and the power and frailty of human connection. This is a novel that will stick with you. A smart and moving look at society, nature, and community.’

-- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

‘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 *

‘Mesmerising, lush, and unsettling ... Colony is extraordinary.’

-- Diane Cook, author of The New Wilderness

‘Colony is a strange and mesmerising novel … Annika Norlin thoughtfully digs into serious topics while still finding humour in the absurd — comedy that is expertly translated by Alice E. Olsson … The story magnifies every warp and weft of human nature, relationships, and power dynamics … Colony is a brilliant novel of love, trauma, and bonding, a careful examination of the human condition that never lets its characters fall into simplifications or easy answers.’

-- Carol Caley * Shelf Awareness *

‘Colony manages to tackle themes of environmental catastrophe, capitalism, exploitation, and care, in turn rendering human fragility, hubris, and desire without ever feeling oppressively dark. Norlin achieves this through a use of humour and playfulness; Colony is wryly funny and sometimes scathing.’

-- Matilda Nevin * Asymptote Journal *

‘In this elegant, darkly funny, and deeply touching story about group dynamics and our need for belonging, the author once again shows she’s a receptive and warm depicter of human life. This is a novel to take to your heart and warm yourself upon.’

-- Svenska Dagbladet

‘A brilliant debut.’

* DN *

‘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 Hera