MONTECORE

In Montecore, the author Jonas Hassen Khemiri receives an e-mail from Kadir, a childhood friend of Jonas’ father. In a very peculiar and comical homemade linguistic concoction of French, Arabic and Swedish, Kadir urges Jonas to write a book about the father, a famous photographer who has disappeared. Kadir’s linguistically innovative letters is mixed with Jonas’ memories from his own childhood, and in switching back and forth between these two temperaments and languages – which in the end develops almost into a battle – a story develops about coming to and growing up in a country where tolerance and diversity are the bywords of the day, but where racism and xenophobia form part of everyday life. But there’s something fishy about Kadir and his constant letter writing; the way he defends Jonas’ father’s actions with increasing tenacity. Who is he? And what actually happened to Jonas’ father?

Khemiri's second novel, Montecore, was published to unanimous raving reviews in 2006. In strong international competition it was awarded 2006 year's P O Enquist Prize. It was also nominated for the August literary award and received the Swedish Radio's award for best novel. The jury’s motivation reads: "Because Jonas Hassen Khemiri leaves his mark on every single word in Montecore in an inspirational transpiration of creativity. Montecore is a beautiful, melancholic but also wonderfully funny book that depicts Sweden in a unique light, making it hard to think of anyone who shouldn't read it."

Translation rights sold to Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain and the United States.

PRAISE FOR "MONTECORE"