A event on Wednesday 8th October. The event starts at 19:00.
East Bristol Books is proud to host Swedish author Agnes Lidbeck presenting her acclaimed debut novel *Supporting Act*, in conversation with translator Nichola Smalley.
'The social contract is not negotiated at an individual level. It is a universal set of rules that must be followed for society to function. The contract stipulates that the individual, henceforth known as The Woman, is required to play three roles. The Woman must be a mother. The Woman must be desirable. The Woman must be a caregiver.'
When Anna gives birth, she takes on a new role. Everything is centred around her children. As her marriage collapses, she begins an affair with an aging author, only to find herself once again in the role of caregiver. *Supporting Act* is the study of a woman performing the roles society asks of her, even as they overlap, contradict and subsume each other.
‘In my years as a literary critic I have rarely come across anything like it. *Supporting Act* is a sensational debut.’ – Expressen
‘Agnes Lidbeck has written a sharp and haunting debut.’ – Kulturnytt, Radio P1
‘A powerful novel about submission.’ – Vi Läser Magazine
‘Sometimes you come across real gems: books that are interesting, well-written, and well balanced between linguistic style and an engaging story. Rarely, do they come from debut writers. Lidbeck’s debut novel, about women’s roles and self-realization, is an exception.’ – Borås Tidning
Agnes Lidbeck is one of Sweden’s most prominent and versatile contemporary writers. She made her literary debut with Supporting Act in 2017, which was shortlisted for the Svenska Dagbladet Prize and won the Borås Tidning Debut Novel Prize. She went on to write *Förlåten* (‘Forgiven’, 2018), *Gå förlorad* (‘Get Lost’, 2019), *Nikes bok* (‘Nike's Book’, 2021) and *All min kärlek* (‘All my Love’, 2023). Lidbeck also writes for the stage and is known for her sharp, minimalist style.
Nichola Smalley is a translator of Swedish and Norwegian literature. Her translation of Andrzej Tichý’s *Wretchedness* won the 2021 Oxford-Weidenfeld Prize and was shortlisted for the Bernard Shaw and International Booker Prizes. Her translation of *A System So Magnificent It Is Blinding* by Amanda Svensson was longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2023.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio)
'The social contract is not negotiated at an individual level. It is a universal set of rules that must be followed for society to function. The contract stipulates that the individual, henceforth known as The Woman, is required to play three roles. The Woman must be a mother. The Woman must be desirable. The Woman must be a caregiver.'
When Anna gives birth, she takes on a new role. Everything is centred around her children. As her marriage collapses, she begins an affair with an aging author, only to find herself once again in the role of caregiver. *Supporting Act* is the study of a woman performing the roles society asks of her, even as they overlap, contradict and subsume each other.
‘In my years as a literary critic I have rarely come across anything like it. *Supporting Act* is a sensational debut.’ – Expressen
‘Agnes Lidbeck has written a sharp and haunting debut.’ – Kulturnytt, Radio P1
‘A powerful novel about submission.’ – Vi Läser Magazine
‘Sometimes you come across real gems: books that are interesting, well-written, and well balanced between linguistic style and an engaging story. Rarely, do they come from debut writers. Lidbeck’s debut novel, about women’s roles and self-realization, is an exception.’ – Borås Tidning
Agnes Lidbeck is one of Sweden’s most prominent and versatile contemporary writers. She made her literary debut with Supporting Act in 2017, which was shortlisted for the Svenska Dagbladet Prize and won the Borås Tidning Debut Novel Prize. She went on to write *Förlåten* (‘Forgiven’, 2018), *Gå förlorad* (‘Get Lost’, 2019), *Nikes bok* (‘Nike's Book’, 2021) and *All min kärlek* (‘All my Love’, 2023). Lidbeck also writes for the stage and is known for her sharp, minimalist style.
Nichola Smalley is a translator of Swedish and Norwegian literature. Her translation of Andrzej Tichý’s *Wretchedness* won the 2021 Oxford-Weidenfeld Prize and was shortlisted for the Bernard Shaw and International Booker Prizes. Her translation of *A System So Magnificent It Is Blinding* by Amanda Svensson was longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2023.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio)