Photo : Photo Voyez-Vous (Laëtitia d'Aboville)
Book club: "Caesaria" by Hanna Nordenhök
The Swedish Institute is launching its book club, a small-group event dedicated to contemporary Swedish literature. In the intimate atmosphere of our reading room, participants are invited to discuss a notable work recently translated into French, guided by a bookseller specializing in Nordic literature.
Institut Suédois (Paris 3rd)
About
This first meeting will be dedicated to Caesaria by Hanna Nordenhök, published in French by Éditions Cambourakis in a translation by Marina Heide. Published in Sweden in 2020, the novel was awarded the Sveriges Radio Novel Prize. In France, it is part of the first selection for the 2026 Prix Médicis.
Caesaria is not quite like other little girls—at least, in the eyes of Dr. Eldh. For he was the one who brought her into the world with a blade, at a time when gynecology was still in its infancy. As the living proof of his medical prowess, Caesaria must be protected at all costs, especially from prying eyes. She will therefore grow up far from the world, in Lilltuna, a farmhouse surrounded by forest. The shimmering of the dew, the creaking of the floorboards, the smell of flowering shrubs or dead animals define a closed universe for her, as wonderful as it is unsettling, where the passage of time seems to have stopped. Until the day Dr. Eldh invites a man with a troubled past to Lilltuna, whose brutality will shatter Caesaria’s suspended life.
Born in Malmö in 1977, Hanna Nordenhök is a novelist, playwright, and translator. Author of two poetry collections and five novels, she has established herself as a singular voice in contemporary Swedish literature. Caesaria is the first of her books to be published in French. The novel has also been translated into English, Arabic, Spanish, and Polish.
This session will be an opportunity to immerse yourself in a gothic tale about control, the power of words, and the imagination, and to meet other readers curious about Swedish literature. The discussions will be guided by Rebecca Hemmingsson, a long-time bookseller at Bokbar, the Nordic bookstore-café nestled at the top of the vibrant Belleville hill.
Everyone is responsible for purchasing their own book for the meeting. But don't panic if you haven't finished it in time!
Practical information
- The meeting will take place in the reading room, upstairs
- In French
- Free participation upon registration
Our take on this event
Discover the haunting allure of Swedish storytelling at this intimate literary gathering tucked away on a vibrant hilltop. Swap theories on a gothic tale that blurs the lines between wonder and unease with a community of fellow book lovers.
The Institut Suédois hosts a special book club meeting dedicated to the novel Caesaria by Hanna Nordenhök, a 2026 Prix Médicis selection. Join fellow literature enthusiasts for an immersive discussion on this gothic tale of power and imagination, guided by bookseller Rebecca Hemmingsson. The event takes place on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:30. Attendance is free, though registration is required. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users, as well as visitors with hearing, visual, or cognitive impairments, and features sign language support for an inclusive experience in the heart of the 3rd arrondissement.
Discover the haunting world of Hanna Nordenhök’s Caesaria, a novel that follows a young girl raised in total isolation within a Swedish forest. This session, scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:30, offers an opportunity to analyze the narrative's exploration of control and psychological depth. The discussion is moderated by Rebecca Hemmingsson, who brings years of experience from her time at the Nordic bookstore Bokbar in Belleville.
The event takes place in the reading room at the Institut Suédois. Accessibility is a priority for this gathering, which accommodates wheelchair users, visitors with visual or hearing impairments, and those with cognitive disabilities, with sign language interpretation available. While the session is free, please ensure you register in advance to secure your spot.
Participants are responsible for purchasing their own copy of the book prior to the meeting. Do not worry if you have not finished the novel by the time you arrive; the focus remains on open conversation and collective reflection regarding this significant work of contemporary Swedish literature.
