Henning Mankell ​

Henning Mankell was a Swedish author, playwright, and theater director. He is best known for his detective novels featuring his most iconic character, Inspector Kurt Wallander. His works have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold over 40 million copies worldwide.

Quick Facts ​

• His "Kurt Wallander" novels have been adapted into television series in both Sweden and the UK.
• His works have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
• His first novel, "The Stone Blaster," was written as a tribute to his grandfather, a stone quarry worker.
• Received numerous awards for his crime novels, including the Glass Key Award, the Crime Writers' Association's International Dagger, and the Prix Mystère de la Critique.
• After his death in 2015, his last Wallander novel, "The Troubled Man," was posthumously published.

Background ​

Mankell was born in 1948 in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of a judge and a painter. His mother left the family when he was just one year old, and he was raised by his father in a rural town in northern Sweden. After completing his compulsory military service, Mankell moved to Paris in 1966 to pursue a career as a playwright. He spent the following years traveling around Africa and Europe and began writing novels. His breakthrough came in 1991 with the publication of Faceless Killers, the first in his series about police detective Kurt Wallander. Mankell's writing explores societal and moral issues, primarily through crime fiction but also in his children's books and plays. He died in 2015 at the age of 67.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Mankell's writing style is characterized by a frank and unpretentious prose. His stories often contain strong social commentary, engaging with themes such as inequality and justice. His detective fiction, particularly the Wallander series, portrays a realist, rather than glamorous, view of police work. Mankell's novels are often bleak, reflecting the harsh Swedish climate and landscape. His work has significantly influenced the genre of Nordic Noir.

Notable Works ​

• Faceless Killers (1991)
• The Dogs of Riga (1992)
• The White Lioness (1993)
• The Man Who Smiled (1994)
• Sidetracked (1995)
• The Fifth Woman (1996)
• One Step Behind (1997)
• Firewall (1998)