To Cook a Bear

A Novel

De: Mikael Niemi

Narrado por: Anthony Mark Barrow, Allan Corduner

An International Best Seller | A Sunday Times UK Best Book of the Year | Shortlisted for the CWA Crime Fiction in Translation Award

"So much to relish here...and the writing is just lovely!" (Diane Setterfield, New York Times best-selling author of The Thirteenth Tale and Once Upon a River)

A fantastic tale set in the far north of Sweden in 1852 following a runaway Sami boy and his mentor, the famous pastor Laestadius, as they investigate a murder in their village along with the mysteries of life.

Jussi, a runaway, becomes Laestadius's faithful son and disciple, and the two set out on botanical treks filled with philosophical discussions where Jussi learns all about plants and nature; and also how to read and write and about spirituality. But their quiet days are interrupted when a maid goes missing in the forest. When she is found dead, the locals suspect a predatory bear is at large. The constable is quick to offer a reward for capturing it, but Laestadius sees other traces that point to a far worse killer on the loose.

After another maid is severely injured, Jussi and the pastor work to track down the murderer, unaware of the evil that is closing in on them. For it is revivalist times, and impassioned faith spreads like wildfire among the locals. While Laestadius' powerful Sunday sermons grant salvation to farmers and workers, they gain him enemies among local rulers, who see profits dwindle as people choose revival over alcohol.

A completely absorbing and unforgettable novel, To Cook a Bear both entertains and burrows deep down into the great philosophical questions of life.

©2021 Mikael Niemi (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Intriguing...sensuous." (The Wall Street Journal)

"Sumptuous." (Publishers Weekly)

"There is much more to this wonderfully idiosyncratic novel from Sweden; it is not only a riveting, psychologically astute mystery but also a work of history, natural history (the pastor is a gifted botanist), and religion...superb. It is not to be missed." (Booklist)

Intense and beautiful, unexpected…

Loved this unexpected and beautiful book. I must listen to it again! Enjoy the readers beautiful interpretation and accent used!

A Spiritual Mystery

This is a story woven deep into the intercultural morass of Saami, Swedish and Finnish life in the rural mid 19th century Nordic region. The author succeeds in crafting a spiritual narrative within a murder mystery. After reading this, you might want to watch the feature film, "Saami Blood."

An extraordinary literary journey

I had no idea this novel had an historical basis until I reached its end. Research into the Revival is my next project.

Slow going...

I made about half way through and, not for the first time, found my mind had wandered and I missed part of the story. I'm going to "mark as finished" and move on the my next choice.