Kallocain

Known in Scandinavia mainly for her intense poetry, the Swedish author Karin Boye wrote this novel in 1940, recently published in a new English translation. It is a dystopian novel written in the shadow of Stalinism and Nazism, depicting an authoritarian society where the individual is seen as a threat to the common good.

The protagonist, Kall, invents a drug which has an enormous impact. This novel defends its place between Huxley and Orwell, chronologically and thematically.

In some ways, it is superior to them, by incorporating gender relations and family life, neglected by the more famous authors. 

Kallocain is a dystopian Scandi Noir written by feminist writer Karin Boye. Like The Handmaid’s Tale, it shows a state where there are eyes and ears everywhere. However, in this world, a scientist discovers a drug that can force people to tell the truth, which poses many philosophical questions while pitting people in the novel against each other. Kallocain has a suspenseful and intriguing plot where you’re never quite sure how the characters are going to act. A brilliant read!