Swedish Marxist Noir : The Dark Wave of Crime Writers and the Influence of Raymond Chandler

This book is set to explore and develop a theory of Swedish Marxist Noir. In order to expose the dialectics of crime fiction, going from then (the American 1930s) to now (the Swedish post-1990s), we must explore, through a Marxist reading of several central works of crime fiction, the Marxist connection between the writings of Raymond Chandler and the Swedish wave of crime fiction since the 1960s. This dialectic, thus, consists of a long-term transition of ideas from Chandler, via the founders of Swedish social crime fiction, Sjöwall-Wahlöö, to modern bestseller phenomena such as Henning Mankell, Stieg Larsson, Roslund & Hellström, Jens Lapidus, Arne Dahl and others. Marxist theories have had a profound influence on the crime genre ever since the American 1930s and there is a strong link between the Swedish writers and the work of chandler, both in terms of direct influence and philosophy: Their view on society and the ambition to write about a modern world gone wrong. Consequently, a Marxist view on existence, makes all these writers a part of the same tradition. Despite the eighty years that have passed since Chandler initiated his Marlowe novels. Marxist theories have had a profound influence on crime fiction, beginning with the works of the American writers of the 1930s. This study explores the development of a Swedish Marxist noir subgenre after the 1990s through a Marxist reading of central works, from the Marlowe novels of Raymond Chandler to the 1960s social crime fiction of Sjowall-Wahloo to modern bestselling authors such as Henning Mankell, Stieg Larsson, Roslund & Hellstrom, Jens Lapidus, Arne Dahl and others. The works of these writers show a common thread of Marxist worldview in their portrayal of a modern world gone wrong. Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Preface 12 Introduction: Marxist Noir at the Gates 14 1. A World Gone Wrong: Raymond Chandler 40 2. The Accord: Per Wahlöö and Sjöwall-Wahlöö 57 3. The Fall from Grace: Henning Mankell 90 4. The Collapsed Dream: Stieg Larsson 105 5. Excavating the Swedish Underbelly: Roslund & Hellström 139 6. A Brave New Sweden: Jens Lapidus 161 7. Sleuths of the Post- Political Condition: Arne Dahl 175 8. The Age of the Manhunter: Lars Kepler 201 Conclusion: The Dialectics of Crime Fiction 217 Chapter Notes 232 Works Cited 249 Index 258 Introduction: Marxist noir at the gates -- A world gone wrong: Raymond Chandler -- The accord: Per Wahløø and Sjøwall-Wahløø -- The fall from grace: Henning Mankell -- The collapsed dream: Stieg Larsson -- Excavating the Swedish underbelly: Roslund & Hellstrøm -- A brave new Sweden: Jens Lapidus -- Sleuths of the post-political condition: Arne Dahl -- The age of the manhunter: Lars Kepler -- Conclusion: the dialectics of crime fiction Explores and develops a theory of Swedish Marxist Noir. In order to expose the dialectics of crime fiction, going from then (the American 1930s) to now (the Swedish post-1990s), we must explore, through a Marxist reading of several central works of crime fiction, the Marxist connection between the writings of Raymond Chandler and the Swedish wave of crime fiction since the 1960s. "This study explores the development of a Swedish Marxist noir subgenre post-1990s through a Marxist reading of central works, from Marlowe novels of Raymond Chandler to the 1960s social crime fiction of Sjöwall-Wahlöö to modern bestselling authors such as Henning Mankell, Stieg Larsson, Roslund & Hellström, Jens Lapidus, Arne Dahl and others." -- Provided by publisher