Translated from Swedish into English by Eva Apelqvist
Sápmi 🇸🇪
This is a re-read for me after I read the book in its original Swedish when it was released. I rarely re-read but I’m overjoyed to see another Sámi author in translation.
This is a story that follows Ánte, a teenage son to a reindeer herder in Sápmi preparing to one day step into his father’s shoes. But Ánte has a secret, he is having feelings for his friend Erik.
I feel very much the same about the book as I did when I read it in Swedish, so the English translation does a good job. Ánte’s feelings are bubbly and filled with anxiety, the way it is when you try to show your true self for others. Ánte knows and understands his feelings, the question is if he should act on them and what he might be giving up to live life as himself. The conflict between queerness and living life as a reindeer herder which I have read in other books is highlighted. It is a light touch but there are characters that relate to their life as Sámi in different ways. The pages are sprinkled with Sámi language words and sentences, a pride and joy that is palpable. I think the book celebrates that people are themselves and the right choice looks different for everyone.
There are a couple of scenes of painful homophobia from loved ones. This isn’t the main point of the story and is mostly processed off page. The book touches on many heavy topics such as the many violations and oppression at the hands of Swedish society and Christianity. The author keeps a light hand though, so it will definitely point readers in a direction to find out more, but the heart of the book is Ánte and his thoughts as he finds ways to be both gay and Sámi.
Loved it. It felt like a safe place to encounter some tough situations in life.
Emilie's Bookish Thoughts 