Scandinavians by Robert Ferguson (Head of Zeus, £8.99)
Ferguson has lived in Norway since 1983 and, before it alters beyond recognition, he wants to see “if I can in some way trace the outlines of a more permanent manifestation of Scandinavian identity”. Far from the unified bloc they might appear to be, Norway, Sweden and Denmark (Ferguson includes Iceland too) have had a turbulent relationship. To illuminate their essential character, if there is such a thing, he journeys through their culture, from the Viking berserkers of legend to the brooding melancholia exemplified by Ibsen, Bergman and Scandic noir – but also, paradoxically, economic prosperity and the convivial concept of hygge. Among other factors, he studies Scandinavian society’s social conformity and respect for law, and the extremes of character that can emerge from a homogenous culture. Aside from its stated aim of examining Scandinavian identity, this is a handy introduction to the history of a region which, being British, we know nothing about, so it’s worth the price for that alone.
Mensah by Gbontwi Anyetei (Dedalus, £9.99)
Nathan Mensah objects to being called a gangster. He’s a fixer. Someone you call with problems no-one else can solve. Black, from Hackney and steeped in the culture of the East London underworld, he operates with the knowledge of the gang bosses, who leave him alone as long as he doesn’t get in their way. One morning, he gets a call from a rich white man who asks him to locate his missing wife, a much younger woman of Sudanese origin. As seasoned crime readers will guess straight away, this job lands him head-first in a far bigger plot. Mensah is a smart, resourceful and, when the occasion demands, violent operator, but the forces lined up against him could be more than he can handle. It’s a bit rough and ready, and sidekick cousin Klu brings some much-needed life and humour that’s lacking in the rather staid Mensah, but don’t be surprised if the film rights are quickly snapped up.
School Of Velocity by Eric Beck Rubin (One, £8.99)
Concert pianist Jan de Vries suffers a terrible attack on stage, with extraneous noises in his head crowding out the music. In fact, intrusive aural hallucinations of music and all kinds of sounds have been building up for years, and the fact that they’ve actually stopped him playing for the first time is almost a relief. The experience spurs him to look back over his life, particularly his enduring fixation on his old school friend, the talented and charismatic Dirk. Though they haven’t seen each other for decades, their friendship was so intense that Jan has never been able to put it behind him. For all his achievements, life with Dirk was more spontaneous, more adventurous and somehow more complete. The Toronto-based author gracefully and delicately describes the arc of Jan’s life in this poignant novel, as eloquent in what he leaves out as what he includes, and he shows great insight into the mind of a professional touring musician.
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