Dive into the World of Swedish Non-Fiction!

We are probably the only place where you will consistently find new, original books written in Swedish. Our collection includes literary classics, award-nominated novels (such as the Finlandia Prize or the Runeberg Prize), as well as the latest releases—including crime fiction.

If a particular title is not available, feel free to reach out to us. We can likely source it just for you!

SWEDISH NON-FICTION

Non-fiction refers to literary works that present real people and events, such as reportage, diaries, or interviews. It also includes biographies, essays, and opinion pieces.

Swedish-language non-fiction books aim to provide credible information based on reliable sources and real events. However, they are neither academic literature nor fiction.

The term facklitteratur (specialist literature) emerged in the early 20th century, appearing in Polish terminology in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Non-fiction, alongside fiction, is one of the two main literary categories. It is also referred to as "literature of facts". In Swedish libraries, non-fiction is classified under all categories except H, which is reserved for fiction (according to the SAB classification system).

GENRE PRINCIPLES

Writing non-fiction demands simplicity and clarity. While fiction can be shaped by an author’s creativity, non-fiction aims to accurately inform readers about verified facts. Therefore, the reader’s prior knowledge and potential benefits from the text are crucial for effective reading. It is also important to use strong arguments to convince the audience and present a well-balanced perspective on reality.

Linguist Gustaf Cederschiöld defined the core principle of the genre: “Prose should not surprise.” He stated, “Normal prose should be useful to the reader… It is not meant purely for aesthetic enjoyment; for an ordinary reader, content is everything, and the greatest strength of prose is to facilitate the understanding of content in the best possible way.”

The term “normal prose” for non-fiction writing was later replaced by “non-fiction literature”, coined in 1938 by Finnish philology professor Rolf Pipping. He emphasized that emotional expressions should generally be excluded. “This is the objective style,” wrote Pipping, “which is usually called ‘normal prose’ in Swedish stylistics.” Despite changes in terminology, “non-fiction literature” largely encompasses the same principles as the older concept of “normal prose.”

HISTORY

The earliest preserved texts considered non-fiction were written in cuneiform and took the form of property records, legal codes, and historical overviews. The distinction between non-fiction as a genre and non-fiction as a writing style existed before non-fiction was formally categorized as a literary genre.

Today, these historical texts provide invaluable insights into the past, enriching our understanding of history.

CRITICISM

Johan Tønnesson, a professor of non-fiction studies, suggested dividing the category into "non-fiction literature" and "functional non-fiction." Meanwhile, retired literature professor Arne Melberg argued that the division between non-fiction and fiction is becoming increasingly obsolete, as more literary works blur genre boundaries.

SWEDISH NON-FICTION

In our bookstore, you’ll find a wide selection of books that fit this genre. We highly recommend works by Anders Hansen, a Swedish psychiatrist who presents insightful discussions on how technology influences our behavior and how we can manage its effects on our brains. You’ll also find books that offer a deeper understanding of life in Sweden, such as “Orden som formade Sverige” by Elisabeth Åsbrink or “Det svenska missnöjet” by Johanna Lindell and Lisa Pelling. We also offer powerful investigative reports, such as “Klubben”, which uncovers the Swedish Academy scandal from a few years ago.

Exploring Swedish non-fiction is an excellent way to improve your Swedish language skills. Some of the books in this category are written in simplified Swedish (lättläst), making them accessible even to beginner learners at B1 level. We also offer books in standard Swedish, suitable for readers at B2/C1 levels or higher.

The benefits of reading in Swedish are countless! Just to name two:

1. You improve your Swedish language skills by learning new words and grammar structures.
2. You gain firsthand, reliable knowledge about life in Sweden—an invaluable resource.

We invite you to explore our selection above!

If you can’t find a specific book in our collection, feel free to email us at biuro@ksiazkiposzwedzku.pl or send us a message on social media (IG/FB)! We will most likely be able to order your desired title for you.