Kerstin Ekman

I 1916 kommer jordemoderen Hillevi Klarin til Svartvattnet i Jämtland - en hård verden for kvinder og børn. Den lille lappepige Risten bliver hendes plejebarn. Hun er bindeleddet mellem levende og døde, før og nu, og er fortælleren i bogen

Guds barmhärtighet

Clapton Jonsson

The descriptions of the northern cold and dark landscape of Jämtland in the early 20th century are well written. There are certain scenes that are stylistically impressive, and style is something that I cannot say that Ekman lacks. However, overall, and especially towards the end, I found myself bored most of the time. My mind went elsewhere. 

The beginning promised an appealing atmosphere that didn’t turn into much else beyond an appealing atmosphere, and the feeling of the atmosphere sort of disappeared eventually, without leaving us with some kind of captivating substance. 

Still a three, because the the style is by an experienced author that knows how to write.