Birta shares a rundown basement apartment with complete strangers, a life she has chosen rather than living in her hometown, which she left behind after coming out as trans at a little party with family and friends. But then the woman in the next room vanishes without a trace and then another woman as well. Who are these women and what has become of them? And what is going on with Johanna, her classmate? Does she have a crush on Birta? Does she even realize who Birta is?
An exciting book, written in the Nordic Noir tradition and touching on important social issues.
“Here we step into a literary world where few authors have tread. It is vital to reader edification and understanding to be able to experience the diversity of society through reading, to put themselves in the shoes of someone unlike them and to empathize with that person.
The fact that the protagonist is trans is not the story’s central topic nor a device used to push the plot forward but rather an element that is both natural and true to the story’s reality.
It is with a sincere voice and respect for the topic that Margret succeeds in telling a story that follows one trans girl on her path to be acknowledged by her family and friends and to be considered on her own terms. While on this journey to ground herself in this new reality, she is drawn into a mystery involving an immigrant, which she feels compelled to unravel.”
FROM THE JURY’S COMMENTS, THE GUDRUN HELGADOTTIR CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S PRIZE 2021
“Strong is not only a great YA novel but also a gripping thriller where important social issues are finely woven into the narrative. The author doesn‘t shy away from including serious matters like modern slavery, labour agencies and trafficking in a YA novel and doesn‘t talk down to younger readers, making older readers and thriller readers also enjoy the book.”
REBEKKA S. STEFANSDOTTIR, LESTRARKLEFINN
“… Strong … deals with complex issues that concern us all and does so in a sensitive and compelling way. This is a book ideal for teaching … as it is both exciting and likely to provoke intellectual discussions about identities, ethnicity, sexuality and gender identity.”
TMM LITERARY MAGAZINE
