The book
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 have over others and that others have over us.
The author
Annika Norlin
Annika Norlin is an author, songwriter, and artist from Sweden. She releases music under her own name, as well as in the projects Säkert! and Hello Saferide. Her short story collection, I See Everything You Do, was nominated for numerous awards. The Colony is her first novel.
Press
- Mar 24 2025
“Disturbing, engrossing.”
— The New York Times Book Review - Mar 20 2025
★ “A smart and moving look at society, nature, and community.”
— Kirkus Reviews - Mar 11 2025
“Wryly funny.”
— Asymptote Journal - Feb 28 2025
“Disturbing, engrossing.”
— The New York Times - Feb 25 2025
★ “For readers who love nuanced characters and stylistically complex novels.”
— Booklist - Jan 13 2025
“I was really swept away by this.”
— The New York Times Book Review Podcast