Re: Nov-Jan Read-Book Snoopers--Henning Mankell&Faceless Kil
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:51 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. As the first book in the series it introduced all the main characters who I assume are going to be in future books.
Kurt Wallander was in my opinion a bit of a pathetic character (more so than I'd imagined having seen the swedish tv series). I did think it a bit strange that he was mostly referred to by his full name. Unlike most crime novels I wasn't able to guess who did it, which made me want to keep on reading.
I like the way the immigrant/ refugee situation was highlighted, it was more relevant due to the recent spate of shootings in Malmo, Sweden. (Don't know if you've heard about that in Britain).
All in all, I liked Faceless Killers, it was an easy read, and the Danish translation was pretty good (a good translation is essential - it makes or breaks a book). I'll definitely be reading others in the series.
I wrote this not long after reading the book - I've read two of the others, although the third one was a bit longwinded, and I skipped the boring bits at the end. They're all political books (with a little p) and the third one was to do with South Africa when Nelson Mandela had just been released, so the political message was definately out of date!
Oh and don't be fooled, Sweden is a great place to visit - I was in Stockholm last spring, I'll be definately visiting again!
Kurt Wallander was in my opinion a bit of a pathetic character (more so than I'd imagined having seen the swedish tv series). I did think it a bit strange that he was mostly referred to by his full name. Unlike most crime novels I wasn't able to guess who did it, which made me want to keep on reading.
I like the way the immigrant/ refugee situation was highlighted, it was more relevant due to the recent spate of shootings in Malmo, Sweden. (Don't know if you've heard about that in Britain).
All in all, I liked Faceless Killers, it was an easy read, and the Danish translation was pretty good (a good translation is essential - it makes or breaks a book). I'll definitely be reading others in the series.
I wrote this not long after reading the book - I've read two of the others, although the third one was a bit longwinded, and I skipped the boring bits at the end. They're all political books (with a little p) and the third one was to do with South Africa when Nelson Mandela had just been released, so the political message was definately out of date!
Oh and don't be fooled, Sweden is a great place to visit - I was in Stockholm last spring, I'll be definately visiting again!
