Her Beautiful Writing Captures Skogskyrkogården's Healing Power

Lina Schollin Ask's debut novel, "Tallums sång," offers a poignant exploration of grief and healing, centered around the evocative landscape of Skogskyrkogården in southern Stockholm. The book masterfully intertwines a love story with a detailed guide to the UNESCO World Heritage site, drawing readers into its serene and architecturally significant grounds.

The narrative follows three characters grappling with profound loss: Gunnar, a retired architect mourning his wife, his dog, and the children he never had; Klara, a pregnant doctor grieving her brother, husband, and a lost sense of love; and David, a young man consumed by fear and unfulfilled desires. These individuals find moments of shared belonging and connection amidst the tranquil beauty of the cemetery, which was originally named Tallum due to its abundant pine trees.

Schollin Ask, herself a doctor and author of the autobiographical grief memoir "Klättra så högt du vill för du är ju ändå redan död," imbues "Tallums sång" with a deep understanding of sorrow. Her descriptions of Skogskyrkogården are rendered with such beauty that they inspire a desire to visit the site, wander its paths, and experience its comforting atmosphere firsthand. The novel effectively captures the healing power of both nature and the thoughtful architecture designed by Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz.

While the reviewer notes that the novel occasionally teeters on the edge of sentimentality and the language sometimes falters, these moments are quickly rectified. Schollin Ask returns to her characteristic clear, direct prose, avoiding unnecessary words. The book is lauded for its ability to balance emotional depth with a compelling narrative, making it a potentially beloved work akin to Lisa Ridzén's earlier success, "Tranorna flyger söderut."