Ann Helen Laestadius Das Leuchten Der Rentier... Apr 2026

The book was named Sweden's Book of the Year in 2021 .

Nine-year-old Elsa , the daughter of Sámi reindeer herders, witnesses a local man, Robert Isaksson , brutally kill her beloved reindeer calf, Nástegallu. Isaksson threatens her into silence, a secret she carries for ten years, causing her immense guilt and fear. Ann Helen Laestadius Das Leuchten Der Rentier...

(English title: Stolen ) by Ann-Helén Laestadius is a powerful, award-winning novel that blends a coming-of-age story with a crime thriller to expose the systemic prejudice and modern-day struggles of the Sámi people in Northern Sweden . Plot Overview The story is told in three parts, spanning over a decade: The book was named Sweden's Book of the Year in 2021

Driven by the indifference of the authorities and the increasing brutality of the poachers, Elsa decides to fight back, eventually leading to a dangerous final confrontation with the man from her childhood. Key Themes (English title: Stolen ) by Ann-Helén Laestadius is

Elsa’s journey involves breaking through traditional Sámi gender expectations to become a recognized herder in her own right. Critical Reception

Reviewers describe it as "dark," "emotional," and "atmospheric," with a slow-burn pace that builds to a tense resolution.