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A review by hywar
Stallo by Stefan Spjut
3.0
Spjut has created an absolutely interesting tale. In 1978, a young boy and his mother take residence in a summer holiday cabin. Shortly after, the child vanishes. The only information the police have is the mother's firm belief that her son was taken by a giant.
25 years later, another boy is taken. This time, the police have a true lead. Susso Myren, who has long been obsessed with the idea of trolls, has a single photo of a mysterious creature that she believes may be linked to the boy's disappearance. Many years ago, Susso's father took a photo of a similar creature riding on the back of a bear, and ever since then she has been determined to discover the truth behind what her father photographed. Susso is convinced that the child was taken by stallos, a form of troll that is capable of shape shifting into a variety of creatures. However, if she wants to find the truth, she'll have to go on the hunt herself. Susso travels throughout Sweden, desperate to find the truth behind two things; what happened to the missing children, and what sort of creature had her father taken a picture of all those years ago?
It's a compelling and interesting read, though unfortunately Spjut has a tendency to get bogged down in heavy-handed details that can make the narrative drag for pages on end. In addition, each chapter switches perspective, which can get confusing at times - especially when the perspective abruptly switches from third person to first person.
25 years later, another boy is taken. This time, the police have a true lead. Susso Myren, who has long been obsessed with the idea of trolls, has a single photo of a mysterious creature that she believes may be linked to the boy's disappearance. Many years ago, Susso's father took a photo of a similar creature riding on the back of a bear, and ever since then she has been determined to discover the truth behind what her father photographed. Susso is convinced that the child was taken by stallos, a form of troll that is capable of shape shifting into a variety of creatures. However, if she wants to find the truth, she'll have to go on the hunt herself. Susso travels throughout Sweden, desperate to find the truth behind two things; what happened to the missing children, and what sort of creature had her father taken a picture of all those years ago?
It's a compelling and interesting read, though unfortunately Spjut has a tendency to get bogged down in heavy-handed details that can make the narrative drag for pages on end. In addition, each chapter switches perspective, which can get confusing at times - especially when the perspective abruptly switches from third person to first person.