Book Rec of the Day 2/12/2007

“[Niemi’s] prose buzzes with wonder, fearlessness and ecstatic ignorance.”—The New York Times Magazine

“Haunting and glorious.”—The Los Angeles Times Book Review

“Marvelous.”—Seattle Times

One of the bestselling books in Swedish history is the coming-of-age story of Matti, who grows up in a tiny Swedish town in the Arctic Circle. By turns tender and hilarious, it is at once everyone’s story (the first kiss, the first drink, dreams of being a rock star) and starkly unique. A sleeper that doesn’t disappoint.

POPULAR MUSIC FROM VITTULA, by Mikael Niemi (Seven Stories Press, 2004) LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY