Introduction
Helene Tursten is a Swedish author born in Gothenburg in 1954. Before turning to writing full-time, she had careers in nursing and dentistry. Her popular series of mysteries featuring Detective Irene Huss brought her widespread acclaim.
In 1998, Tursten saw the publication of her debut novel, “Detective Inspector Huss” (Murphy). The book was so well regarded that in 1999, it was awarded the prize for Best Swedish Crime Fiction. There are also other novels and short stories by Tursten, whose exemplary creativity speaks for itself.
In 2018, she released “An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good,” one of her most recent works. Her writing has been commended for its realism, representation of strong female characters, and attention to detail. This essay focuses on a book review of this recent writing.
Summary of Short Stories
This novel is in modern Sweden and reflects numerous aspects of Swedish culture and society. The narrative begins with a description of the Swedish welfare system. Maud, an 88-year-old woman, desires to reclaim her apartment from her son and his ungrateful wife but hesitates to involve the authorities for fear of being perceived as a burden on the state. The narrative also emphasizes the aging population in Europe and other developed nations. Maud represents this demographic, and the difficulties associated with aging are a recurring theme throughout the novel.
The cultural setting of this work emphasizes the sense of gender equality exemplified by Maud and the other strong female characters. An in-depth analysis of this book’s occurrences and Maud’s approach to the situation represent social norms. These Swedish social norms emphasize the significance of personal space and privacy. This text also highlights Swedish holiday traditions, such as the celebration of St. Lucia’s Day, which emphasizes the importance of family time during the holiday season.
The Plot
The story revolves around Maud, an elderly lady with a cunning side to her. It is a collection of five stories, and each development has Maud embroiled in a new mystery. In the first story, “An Elderly Lady Has Accommodation Problems,” Maud and her cunning ways are introduced to the reader. When her neighbor Jasmin begins to rent her apartment, Maud devises a plan to eliminate the loud and disrespectful tourists (Tursten 9). The plan is amusing and effective, restoring peace and silence in her building.
In the next story, “An Elderly Lady on Her Travels,” Maud investigates a murder at her hotel in Italy. Maud identifies the perpetrator and rescues the day with keen intelligence and observation. In “The Antique Dealer’s Death,” Maud purchases a potentially stolen valuable antique. Maud becomes a suspect when the drug dealer dies and must clear her reputation while solving the crime (Tursten 65). Maud is approached by an ex-lover who requests her assistance in disposing of his wife’s corpse in the story “An Elderly Lady is Faced with a Difficult Dilemma.” Maud must navigate this complicated situation and determine her allegiances.
Maud is a complex and compelling character with a no-nonsense disposition. Maud is portrayed throughout the book as a sharp-witted and capable woman who is unafraid to speak up for herself and take charge. It is evident throughout the story that it is not wise in any way to mess with Maud since it might be your last day doing so.
She is not afraid to take revenge against anyone who messes with her. She does not move around killing people, but she does not hesitate to kill anyone, which is a hurdle in her life. She creates a lethal poison that she intends to use in revenge against those who have wronged her. She is a strong, competent woman who refuses to be pushed around, and her no-nonsense demeanor and keen intellect make her a formidable character.
Tursten’s writing is defined by her wit, humor, and provocative manner, while her stories remain easy to read. They engage in a manner that will leave your eyes glued as you continuously probe your brain. This book’s stories are captivating due to the distinct and intriguing protagonist, Maud.
She is an intelligent and resourceful character who uses her wit and intelligence to solve crimes and get what she wants despite being elderly and unassuming (Jordan). Her unapologetic demeanor and biting humor contribute to her stories’ entertaining and suspenseful quality. Each tale presents Maud with a new obstacle, leaving the reader wondering how she will conquer it. The stories are a delightful blend of mystery, humor, and a hint of darkness that keeps the reader interested from beginning to end.
These tales are captivating not only due to the distinct and intriguing character of Maud but also due to the well-crafted plots that keep the reader interested. Each story has a distinct beginning, middle, conclusion, and unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader on edge. Several characters and events appear in multiple stories, creating an ingenious interconnectedness between the tales.
The stories also examine various themes, such as selfishness, vengeance, and the complexities of human relationships. Maud’s character is also intriguing to observe as she defies the stereotypical image of an older woman and refuses to conform to society. She is an independent, intelligent woman who is unafraid to express her mind and take the necessary steps to achieve her goals. The stories have a unique appeal thanks to Tursten’s concise and powerful writing style, which, combined with her sense of humor, offers them both an entertaining and thought-provoking quality.
Characters
Maud, an elderly lady living alone in a tiny flat in Gothenburg, Sweden, is the story’s main character. Maud is a complicated character with a penchant for mischief and a knack for getting into trouble. She frequently exploits her age and innocent appearance to get away with her offenses. The stories also feature Maud’s new neighbor, a young couple on vacation, an ex-lover from her past, and several casualties of her schemes.
Helene Tursten does an excellent job of creating a believable and multifaceted portrait of Maud. While she is frequently unrepentantly manipulative and deceitful, Maud’s vulnerability and loneliness are portrayed by Tursten, making her a sympathetic character (Jordan). The other characters in the chapters are also well-developed and contribute to the book’s overall depth.
Each character has its peculiarities, which makes them fascinating and believable. Overall, the author’s characterization of the characters is masterful, eliciting sympathy and discomfort in equal measure. Maud’s transgressions are frequently startling, but her vulnerability and isolation make her an endearing protagonist.
Maud is a captivating and complex character who is both crafty and vulnerable. Her mischievous behavior and manipulation of those around her are engaging, but her inner turmoil and loneliness distinguish her. As a reader, you have compassion for Maud and wish her prosperity and fulfillment. Despite her faults, she is likable and relatable, which makes her even more memorable. Ultimately, Maud is a captivating and well-written character who adds depth and richness to the collection.
After the tragic death of her beloved father when Maud was just eighteen, she inherited the family’s large flat in the heart of Gothenburg and has been living there rent-free ever since, thanks to a small clause in a hurriedly prepared contract. That is how Maud realized that sometimes, even bad things might turn out for the best. Maud, now in her late eighties, spends her time traveling the world and browsing the internet from her father’s antique recliner. She lives a solitary life, but it suits her just fine.
The Author’s Style
Helene Tursten’s style of writing is concise, direct, and exact. Her frequently satirical tone emphasizes the absurdity of situations and the peculiarity of her characters. The language is basic yet evocative, employing vivid imagery to depict Maud’s world and the people she meets. The stories in Tursten’s writing are also characterized by a strong sense of rhythm, which builds to a satisfying climax (Jordan). She has a knack for writing narrative twists that keep the reader intrigued and on their toes.
Overall, Tursten’s writing style is entertaining and captivating, with a sharp wit and an acute eye for detail that bring her characters and their world to life. The short stories leave the readers in suspense and several unanswered questions. Despite the story being translated from Swedish, there is every reason to believe that not much of the humorous sense has been lost.
Recommending the Book
This is a book I definitely would not hesitate to recommend to anyone who enjoys dark humor and stories full of suspense. The book’s main character, Maud, is an intriguing and complex character whose mischievous nature and unanticipated actions captivate readers. The stories have gratifying plot twists and vivid imagery that generate tension and intrigue. This would be the first choice for anyone who enjoys reviewing fictional work.
The text is placed in a local Swedish setting, and numerous fascinating Swedish names and terms are dispersed among the various tales. The ambiance is simple and well-drawn, providing an accurate picture of the setting and Maud’s mindset. This makes the story more relatable despite being fictional. “An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good” is amusing, enjoyable, and gratifying. It is a wonderful book to keep in your bag while waiting in a doctor’s office, restaurant, or perhaps just curled up with a cup of tea on your couch.
Conclusion
Maud has several facets, embodying three highly laudable attributes: originality, perceptiveness, and meticulousness. All walks of life would benefit from having her extraordinary qualities. Nevertheless, looking past her seeming virtue, you will find a more mysterious side to Maud’s personality. Due to these traits, some people may view her as crafty or even callous.
When presented with difficult issues, Maud’s mind is a tornado of deliberate contemplation, causing her to design solutions that may take others by surprise craftily. Her cunning and ingenuity are not to be ignored; they provide an exciting dimension to any interaction with her. While she emanates an air of unrepentant audacity that may rouse one’s own crazy, meeting Maud can be a riveting experience for individuals who enjoy diving into the depths of the human mind and investigating the darker aspects of humanity.
Works Cited
Jordan, Tina. “Unlikely Psychopath.” The New York Times Book Review. 2018.
Murphy, Jane. “An Elderly Lady is Up to no Good.” The Booklist 115.5 (2018): 22.
Tursten, Helene. An Elderly Lady Is up to No Good. Soho Press. 2018.