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A review by cpaul89
Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius
5.0
Stolen
By Ann-Helén Laestadius
This was like nothing I've read before. It was refreshing to read and not be constantly looking for foreshadowing or trying to guess what's coming next. This was truly a work of fiction in which I was learning through imagination.
"Stolen" provides such an interesting perspective of a different culture. It focuses on Samí life in Sweden, spanning from 2008 to 2019. The Samí are the only remaining indigenous people of Sweden. It's interesting to see a culture so different from ours focused on raising reindeer and the amount of prejudice that group experiences from local neighbors to the local police force. This prejudice and hatred they withstand is one of the hardships woven into the foundation of each character's experience.
Elsa is a young 9 years old when she witnesses a vicious poacher torture and kill her precious reindeer. This man haunts her throughout the entire book.
"It made her angry that he had that much control over her."
Her journey with him and that quote reminds me so much of ghosts I'm haunted by and how much I feel this exact sentiment daily. I look over my shoulder whenever I leave the house. As did she.
There is a tremendous mental health component to their stories as well. All of the stories and hardships are linked, but the way each character deals with it is vastly different. These differences made it feel so real, because it is. Again, though this is a work of fiction, the history, culture, hardships, and challenges are all very real.
Also interesting to note there is a huge focus on climate change in a way that a lot of American authored books I've read do not. Climate change is a huge threat to reindeer and reindeer herders. It made me think of a lot of the photos I've seen of moose in Maine who are covered in ticks because the winters are no longer cold enough to kill off enough of the parasites.
I read this book at the recommendation of my sister. I'm so glad I did. I whole-heartedly recommend this one. It is engaging and different, and though the content is challenging there is something comforting about their connection to the earth and their culture.
By Ann-Helén Laestadius
This was like nothing I've read before. It was refreshing to read and not be constantly looking for foreshadowing or trying to guess what's coming next. This was truly a work of fiction in which I was learning through imagination.
"Stolen" provides such an interesting perspective of a different culture. It focuses on Samí life in Sweden, spanning from 2008 to 2019. The Samí are the only remaining indigenous people of Sweden. It's interesting to see a culture so different from ours focused on raising reindeer and the amount of prejudice that group experiences from local neighbors to the local police force. This prejudice and hatred they withstand is one of the hardships woven into the foundation of each character's experience.
Elsa is a young 9 years old when she witnesses a vicious poacher torture and kill her precious reindeer. This man haunts her throughout the entire book.
"It made her angry that he had that much control over her."
Her journey with him and that quote reminds me so much of ghosts I'm haunted by and how much I feel this exact sentiment daily. I look over my shoulder whenever I leave the house. As did she.
There is a tremendous mental health component to their stories as well. All of the stories and hardships are linked, but the way each character deals with it is vastly different. These differences made it feel so real, because it is. Again, though this is a work of fiction, the history, culture, hardships, and challenges are all very real.
Also interesting to note there is a huge focus on climate change in a way that a lot of American authored books I've read do not. Climate change is a huge threat to reindeer and reindeer herders. It made me think of a lot of the photos I've seen of moose in Maine who are covered in ticks because the winters are no longer cold enough to kill off enough of the parasites.
I read this book at the recommendation of my sister. I'm so glad I did. I whole-heartedly recommend this one. It is engaging and different, and though the content is challenging there is something comforting about their connection to the earth and their culture.