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A Bridge to the Stars

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About this listen

 Two things are hard for Joel Gustafson to cope with: not knowing why, and not being able to do anything about it. Joel and his father live in a small town in cold northern Sweden. Joel’s father was once a sailor who lived by the sea. Joel’s mother once lived with them. Joel’s father abandoned the sea. Joel’s mother abandoned Joel and his father. While looking out his window late one misty night, Joel sees a lonely dog in the street. He spots the animal again and begins sneaking out night after night, trying to find it. During these nocturnal outings, Joel discovers aspects of his life he has never imagined. A Bridge to the Stars is a magical mystery that leaves the reader spellbound and full of hope for Joel and his father’s future.©1990 Henning Mankell. Translation Laurie Thompson 2005 (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing Action & Adventure Fiction Adventure

Critic reviews

'The Nordic King of the European thriller writers.' (The Observer)
'Touching tale of a young boy growing up in northern Sweden.' (The Bookseller)
'One of the world's leading authors has written a moving story about a teenager's life in Northern Sweden.' (Publishing News)
'Henning Mankell, prize-winning author of the Inspector Wallander series, has a winner with his first novel for young adults. Francis Greenslade narrates the story of 11-year-old Joel and his father, who live in the cold, desolate forests of northern Sweden. In spite of Samuel's abandonment of the sea to make a life as a tree cutter, Joel's mother deserted the family. Greenslade's Australian accent adds to the surreal atmosphere, making Sweden's dark and desolate winter a character. You feel the loss, loneliness, and confusion that send Joel out searching for a dog he has spotted from his window. And you'll feel the coldness of the Swedish winter that has penetrated Joel's heart begin to thaw as spring slowly warms his heart and his life.' (AudioFile Magazine)
'This is a deep, serious story, written with the lightest of touches and no hint of condescension. Mankell pays his readers the compliment of taking them seriously and the Joels among them will respond to this philanthropist - one who literally likes his fellow humans.' (The Guardian)
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I think this was written for children, but that does not at all detract from the prose which is excellently and beautifully crafted. The style so surprised me as I have only before experienced Henning Mankell though the Wallander series. Mankell really is a fantastic writer and as much as I love Wallander, I feel like I have discovered a jewel in his non-crime fiction.

Magical

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