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Depths

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October 1914: the destroyer Svea emerged from the Stockholm archipelago bearing south-south-east. On board was Lars Tobiasson-Svartman, a naval engineer charged with making depth soundings to find a navigable channel for the Swedish navy. As a child Tobiasson-Svartman was fascinated by measurement; nothing is as magical as exact knowledge. His instinct for his profession is reflected in the comfortable domesticity he enjoys with his wife - herself meticulous in every detail.

Close to the waters where soundings are taken Tobiasson-Svartman alights on a barren skerry, presumed uninhabited, and is surprised to discover there a young woman, Sara Fredrika. Despite her almost feral appearance, something about her strikes him to the core. The mission is a success and the Svea returns to Gothenburg. Tobiasson-Svartman, however, remains haunted by this chance encounter; his equilibrium has been disturbed, and he is now compelled to find any pretence to return to the remote islet. In Depths Mankell confirms his status as a writer beyond the crime genre. By delving deep into the male psyche, he has produced a novel both as tense and compelling in every way as the Wallander series, but also powerful, moving and ultimately tragic.

©2006 Henning Mankell (P)2009 Random House Audio
European Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Literary History & Criticism Psychological Thriller & Suspense World Literature Fiction Suspense
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Possibly the saddest story I've ever heard. Started out liking the protagonist, but soon realized he was a maniac. Mankell's writing is sharply focused, despite the bleak setting. minute details make the narrative all the more upsetting. Looking for a feel-good story, this way there be nothing but despair. Loved it!

very, very dark

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Even Sean Barrett's narration can't cheer up this Henning Mankell book. I'm plodding through but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Depths

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