Stolen by Ann-Helen Laestadius

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Web ID: 15843633

SOON TO BE A NETFLIX FILM Louise Erdrich meets Jo Nesbo in this spellbinding Swedish novel that follows a young indigenous woman as she struggles to defend her family's reindeer herd and culture amidst xenophobia, climate change, and a devious hunter whose targeted kills are considered mere theft in the eyes of the law. On a winter day north of the Arctic Circle, nine-year-old Elsa - daughter of Sami reindeer herders - sees a man brutally kill her beloved reindeer calf and threaten her into silence. When her father takes her to report the crime, local police tell them that there is nothing they can do about these stolen animals. Killings like these are classified as theft in the reports that continue to pile up, uninvestigated. But reindeer are not just the Sami's livelihood, they also hold spiritual significance, attacking a reindeer is an attack on the culture itself. Ten years later, hatred and threats against the Sami keep escalating, and more reindeer are tortured and killed in Elsa's community. Finally, she's had enough and decides to push back on the apathetic police force. The hunter comes after her this time, leading to a catastrophic final confrontation.

  • Product Features

    • Suggested age range - Adult
    • Format - Paperback
    • Product dimensions - 5.4" W x 7.9" H x 1.2" D
    • Genre - Fiction
    • Publisher - Scribner, Publication date - 01-31-2023
    • Page count - 400
    • ISBN - 9781668007167
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4.5/5

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3 years ago
from Lakemore, OH

Hearts of the Arctic

Embedded deep in the Scandinavian world is an indigenous people whose culture heavily depends on reindeer herding. In “Stolen,” author Ann-Helén Laestadius shows us life through the eyes of the Sámi experience. It is a harsh existence made harder by the bigotry permeating their everyday life. The book explores many other of their issues: complications brought about by climate change, the culture’s strong male chauvinism, suicide and its lasting impact, mental health struggles and the stigma associated with counseling. The plotline initially focuses on Elsa, a nine-year-old girl who stumbles upon a man who has just brutally murdered her reindeer, Nastegallu. Throughout the course of the book we live the frustration of Elsa and her people as they are virtually ignored in their attempts to have the authorities stop the persistent attacks on their herds. We see Elsa challenging her fears as she grows from that frightened child to a woman who refuses to accept the injustices she sees. The bulk of the book develops detailed portrayals of complex characters and slowly builds up to an inevitable confrontation. The final chapters then surge with some exciting page turning encounters. Overall, a very good novel you may want to read before its upcoming treatment by Netflix. Please be warned: much of this is based on real-life events and there are some very explicit animal cruelty passages which are hard to take. This brutality is at the heart of the matter, however, and is in no way gratuitous. It would be difficult to gloss over these despicable acts. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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3 years ago
from Dothan, AL

Beautiful

In Northern Sweden Sámi reindeer herders are derided and resented by their neighbors. Treated like second class citizens the Sámi are an ethnic minority trying desperately to hold onto their way of life. The story is divided into 3 parts and begins with nine year Elsa finding her own reindeer slain and the perpetrator nearby. He threatens her life if she tells, and so she clams up and won’t reveal what she saw. This has a profound effect on the young Elsa’s psyche, but she draws on her inner strength as she becomes an outspoken advocate for the Sámi. Beautifully written and translated this coming of age story would be an excellent pick for book clubs. There is so much that could be discussed with thought provoking topics like racism, patriarchy, traditions, suicide and global warming. You get a nice peek into the Sámi culture, their way of life, their language, their traditions, their food and clothing. Great cast of characters too. 5 stars

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com