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The Dolls

Ursula Scavenius author Jennifer Russell translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Lolli Editions

Published:21st Oct '21

Should be back in stock very soon

The Dolls cover

"The Dolls" presents a collection of four interconnected stories set in a world that feels both bizarre and hauntingly recognizable. The narrative explores themes of isolation, decay, and the pervasive influence of misinformation, all while depicting families striving for connection amidst chaos. Each tale delves into the complexities of human relationships and the struggles individuals face in their quest for understanding and belonging.

In one story, a big sister ventures into the depths of the family basement, while another sister grapples with her refusal to accept her younger brother. The third tale follows a sister suffering from memory loss as she seeks refuge at Notpla, illustrating the desperation for safety and clarity in a tumultuous environment. The final narrative takes a poignant turn as siblings journey to Hungary with their deceased mother in a coffin, each carrying a distinct interpretation of their mother's life story. This exploration of differing perspectives highlights the subjective nature of truth and memory.

Drawing inspiration from literary and artistic greats such as August Strindberg, Franz Kafka, and Hieronymus Bosch, Scavenius crafts a chilling yet captivating universe. In this world, the boundaries of reality blur, and the notion of truth becomes increasingly elusive. As characters navigate their personal crises against a backdrop of societal turmoil, "The Dolls" invites readers to reflect on the impact of propaganda and the fragility of human connection in an age of disinformation.

"Here is a writer of extremely unusual imaginative powers. I found myself completely entranced. This is one of the most extraordinary pieces of writing I've ever read." - BBC Radio 4; "These are artful, singular stories which, with rigorous inventiveness of language and technique, vividly evoke the calamities that form our nightmares." - The Irish Times; "Fiercely anti-establishment and addictively macabre. The translation is appropriately atmospheric: Jennifer Russell has done a marvellous job of weaving the narrative seamlessly between an almost dreamlike lyricism and a grisly reality." - Translating Women; "A dilute wash of watercolour exposes the terrifying images and themes underneath... Emerging from Scavenius' world, we recognise the cruelty and threat and bewilderment as not only the domain of the world she's writing from, but also a powerful and poetic compression of where we live." - Exacting Clam; "Ursula Scavenius is one of the most exciting Danish short story writers at work today. The Dolls, in Jennifer Russell's magnificent translation, is a literary page-turner: haunting, mesmerizing, and unforgettable in all its grotesque glory." - Katrine Ogaard Jensen

  • Short-listed for The Edvard P. Prize 2020

ISBN: 9781999992842

Dimensions: 200mm x 125mm x 12mm

Weight: 150g

200 pages