I really enjoyed this. And it made me think of Lina Wolff and then you mentioned her. And it also made me think of one of my favourite movies In the Mood for Love. If you don't know it, watch it, I won't give any spoilers. If you do know it, you'll probably know what your story made me think of it.
Thanks for the comment. I have, actually, and for some reason I’m not in love with that film. I found it hard to relate to, though I can’t quite say why.
Lina Wolff is the most un-Swedish writer we have, perhaps apart from me :)
I liked some of the stories in the Many people will die like you and I liked The Polyglot lovers much less. A Swedish writer I enjoyed a lot (though her main character was utterly annoying) is Lena Andersson. When I first moved to Stockholm in 2020 I made an effort of reading Swedish women for a while. I also read Therese Bohman and Sara Stridsberg. I agree, Wolff was different.
I rewatched In the mood for love a few weeks ago and still found it fabulous. I love the longing, the nostalgia of it, the beautiful aesthetics.
This: 'searching for someone who lives in your home. A less light-hearted subject I’ve unfortunately had some experience with. I suppose I needed to write it out of my system'.
Pretty common, I think. At least based on the relationship stories I hear around me. Life has its ebbs and flows, and so do relationships. Thanks for reading.
This is the first Swedish story I’ve ever read, and it was a revelation. The emotional restraint, dry humor, and quietly unsettling tone felt so different from the writing I’m used to—especially compared to the more expressive styles I’ve read from Italian or Balkan authors.
There’s a certain elegance in how the emotions are buried just beneath the surface, like they’re waiting to be discovered rather than declared.
Thank you for your comment! I really appreciate it. It's hard to say what a Swedish storyteller looks like from the inside, but you should know that many people see me as rather un-Swedish or dramatic, though perhaps not in my writing? Maybe that's something I need to work on ...
Well, I’d say if people see you as “un-Swedish” or dramatic, maybe that just means you're expanding the definition a bit. I think the balance in your writing, between restraint and emotion,feels intentional, like it knows exactly when to hold back and when to hit.
To be honest, I think love has always been a mess. If it really is love, I mean. We've just found new ways to mess it up a little differently. Thank you for reading!
Loved reading this piece. I was hooked till the end. Reminded me of scenes from one of those movies that start out slow but reel you in making you want to watch it unfurl because it feels like it could be happening to any one of us.
Thank you, Srija! I was thinking for a while about what you wrote. Could it really happen to any one of us? Yeah, maybe the problem is general, the solution was quite a special one though ...
Instantly thought of this E. Costello while reading your story. Stranger in the House is a song he wrote during the period of his 1st album releases inspired by Country music from the U.S. he would hear as a young man.
Love this, there are endless bits to ponder & explore within it and I will share this with friends. On a personal note, I am a slow moving style lady so that part resonated deeply. Thank you for sharing this. 🌺✨️
I really enjoyed this. And it made me think of Lina Wolff and then you mentioned her. And it also made me think of one of my favourite movies In the Mood for Love. If you don't know it, watch it, I won't give any spoilers. If you do know it, you'll probably know what your story made me think of it.
Thanks for the comment. I have, actually, and for some reason I’m not in love with that film. I found it hard to relate to, though I can’t quite say why.
Lina Wolff is the most un-Swedish writer we have, perhaps apart from me :)
What do you think of her?
I liked some of the stories in the Many people will die like you and I liked The Polyglot lovers much less. A Swedish writer I enjoyed a lot (though her main character was utterly annoying) is Lena Andersson. When I first moved to Stockholm in 2020 I made an effort of reading Swedish women for a while. I also read Therese Bohman and Sara Stridsberg. I agree, Wolff was different.
I rewatched In the mood for love a few weeks ago and still found it fabulous. I love the longing, the nostalgia of it, the beautiful aesthetics.
This: 'searching for someone who lives in your home. A less light-hearted subject I’ve unfortunately had some experience with. I suppose I needed to write it out of my system'.
Pretty common, I think. At least based on the relationship stories I hear around me. Life has its ebbs and flows, and so do relationships. Thanks for reading.
I think being hooked on phones has a lot to do with it. But that's another story (or is it?!)
A well-written story that highlights the complexity of relationships.
Interesting concept, highlighting the issues of expectations and miscommunication with wit and subtlety.
Thank you for really reading!
Nice story!
Thank you for reading, Guilia!
You’re v good at those end twists :)
:) I am overusing them at times. I can’t seem to stop my mind from seeking closure.
I loved this story! Great writing. Felt real.
Oh, thank you, Sarah!
This is the first Swedish story I’ve ever read, and it was a revelation. The emotional restraint, dry humor, and quietly unsettling tone felt so different from the writing I’m used to—especially compared to the more expressive styles I’ve read from Italian or Balkan authors.
There’s a certain elegance in how the emotions are buried just beneath the surface, like they’re waiting to be discovered rather than declared.
Thank you for your comment! I really appreciate it. It's hard to say what a Swedish storyteller looks like from the inside, but you should know that many people see me as rather un-Swedish or dramatic, though perhaps not in my writing? Maybe that's something I need to work on ...
Well, I’d say if people see you as “un-Swedish” or dramatic, maybe that just means you're expanding the definition a bit. I think the balance in your writing, between restraint and emotion,feels intentional, like it knows exactly when to hold back and when to hit.
Whatever it is, it really works.
Great boxing metaphor! Exactly my intention. You read me well.
Sharp and quietly heartbreaking. You capture the mess of modern love with wit but also honesty.
To be honest, I think love has always been a mess. If it really is love, I mean. We've just found new ways to mess it up a little differently. Thank you for reading!
Hello Jörgen
Loved reading this piece. I was hooked till the end. Reminded me of scenes from one of those movies that start out slow but reel you in making you want to watch it unfurl because it feels like it could be happening to any one of us.
Thank you, Srija! I was thinking for a while about what you wrote. Could it really happen to any one of us? Yeah, maybe the problem is general, the solution was quite a special one though ...
There`s a stranger in the house
"This never was one of the great romances
But I thought you`d always have those young girl`s eyes
But now they look in tired and bitter glances
At the ghost of a man who walks `round in my disguise
I get the feeling that I don`t belong here
But there`s no welcome in the window anyway
And I look down for a number on my key chain
`Cause it feels more like a hotel everyday
There`s a stranger in the house; nobody`s seen his face
But everybody says he`s taken my place
There`s a stranger in the house no one will ever see
But everybody says he looks like me
And now you say you've got no expectations
But I know you also miss those carefree days
And for all the angry words that passed between us
You still don`t understand me when I say
There`s a stranger in the house; nobody`s seen his face
But everybody says he`s taken my place
There`s a stranger in the house no one will ever see
But everybody says he looks like me"
Songwriters: Elvis Costello
That exactly! Thank you.
Instantly thought of this E. Costello while reading your story. Stranger in the House is a song he wrote during the period of his 1st album releases inspired by Country music from the U.S. he would hear as a young man.
Love this, there are endless bits to ponder & explore within it and I will share this with friends. On a personal note, I am a slow moving style lady so that part resonated deeply. Thank you for sharing this. 🌺✨️
Oh, thank you! I'm glad you reached out to tell me. And patience is a virtue.