Wild Boar is a really interesting short novella, translated from Swedish and published by @theemmapress.
I’ve actually been to Ekenäs/Tammisaari where the Finnish-Swedish author comes from: it’s a beautiful place! I did partly pick this up this due to the Finnish connection.
However, the story itself isn’t tied too tightly to one specific culture; it has a more universal, almost folkloric quality, even while weaving in some Nordic references.
The novella follows Ritve, who leaves her home in Finland to travel to Sweden along the “wild boar trail.” In the area she visits, wild boars have become a growing nuisance, creating tension among locals about how best to deal with them. Around this central thread, the book branches into several perspectives, giving it a layered structure.
We meet a range of characters: a couple whose daughter comes to visit, a family grappling with memory loss…
Ritve herself is on a kind of personal quest as she tries to track the boars and engage with local experts. It’s one of those “I just have to do this” moments for her that you can’t really explain.
The shifting viewpoints add depth without ever feeling crowded and it’s both a mixture of deep thoughtful moments and everyday experiences.
There isn’t a dramatic crescendo or a tightly plotted arc; instead, it’s a gentle, meandering read. That’s part of its charm.
Read this as an invitation to slow down and sit with its atmosphere and ideas, perfect for a quiet spring evening.
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