A Bridge to the Stars [Paperback]

Praise for Mankell’s Kurt Wallander novels:
“The Nordic King of the European thriller writers.”
–Observer

One of the world’s best-selling authors has written a moving story about a teenager’s life in Northern Sweden.

12-year-old Joel lives with his father in the cold northern part of Sweden. At night he often sneaks out of the house to look for a lonely dog he has seen from his window. On the bridge across the icy river he starts a secret society and has adventures. But one night he discovers that his father’s bed is also empty, and so he will have to come to terms with his father’s newfound love. The harsh reality of Joel’s world comes vividly to life and leaves the reader spellbound.

Henning Mankell was born in 1948 in Stockholm, Sweden. His Inspector Wallander novels are a prize-winning series, at the top of best-seller lists throughout Europe, and many of his books have been made into films.

Henning Mankell, prize-winning author of the Inspector Wallander series, has a winner with his first novel for young adults. Francis Greenslade narrates the story of 11-year-old Joel and his father, who live in the cold, desolate forests of northern Sweden. In spite of Samuel's abandonment of the sea to make a life as a tree cutter, Joel's mother deserted the family. Greenslade's Australian accent adds to the surreal atmosphere, making Sweden's dark and desolate winter a character. You feel the loss, loneliness, and confusion that send Joel out searching for a dog he has spotted from his window. And you'll feel the coldness of the Swedish winter that has penetrated Joel's heart begin to thaw as spring slowly warms his heart and his life. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.