April Witch

A gripping story in the tradition of magical realism... A novel of depth of spirit and power of imagination.

A brilliant brain trapped in a helpless body, tormented by spastic twitches, a story of a "dead" body in which a living spirit beats. Desirée, a mute and paralysed girl, condemned to live between the four walls of a hospital room... During the long nights, Einstein, Hawking, Ginzburg and others keep her company, even if only through their books. Out there, behind the hospital walls, are her three sisters - Christina, Margareta and Birgitta. But they have no idea of its existence. A doctor, a physicist - and a prostitute.

An urgent and compelling narrative beginning in 1950s Sweden. A song about love, longing and loyalty, but also about despair, arrogance and indifference.

The Swedish writer Majgull Axelsson, originally a journalist, focused on the problems of the weak and powerless, especially abused children and child prostitution. Her biggest success so far and one of Sweden's most prestigious prizes, the August Prize, was won by The April Witch.