The Colony

Synopsis

Exhausted by the demands of city life, Emelie escapes to the Swedish countryside in search of a few days of solitude. Instead, she stumbles upon a secluded community of seven people living beyond the expectations of ordinary society. Drawn together by loss, alienation, and a shared desire to live differently, the group's fragile harmony is shaped by the quiet authority of its enigmatic leader, Sara. As Emelie becomes increasingly entangled in their lives, she begins to question whether this alternative way of living offers freedom—or simply another set of rules.

Blending humour, psychological insight, and sharp social observation, The Colony is a compelling novel about belonging, isolation, and the ways communities shape those who seek refuge within them. Warm, unsettling, and deeply humane, Annika Norlin's award-winning debut became one of Sweden's most celebrated literary novels in recent years.

About the Author

Annika Norlin is a Swedish novelist, journalist, and acclaimed songwriter. The Colony, her debut novel, won both the Vi Literature Award and Swedish Radio's Novel Prize, becoming a major literary success in Sweden. It is translated from the Swedish by Alice Menzies.

Publisher
Astra House

Publication Date
September 16, 2025

Format
Paperback

Pages
368

Subjects
Literary Fiction · Translated Fiction · Swedish Literature · Contemporary Fiction

ISBN
9798889660828