She has written picture books and humor for elementary school children. But for many, Ingelin Angerborn is synonymous with middle-aged thrillers, including "Sorgfjäril", "Heart of Darkness" and the Mebel trilogy.
"With genuine curiosity and great intuition, she approaches the unexplainable, and provides her readers with mysterious stories that are difficult to let go," says the Astrid Lindgren jury's motivation.
She sees the award as a great honor.
Astrid was already great when I was a child and I, in turn, have read her to my children. She permeates the entire society.
Early dream
The dream of becoming a writer was born in childhood, when the Fem books, "Katitzi" and Maria Gripe's mysterious titles were among the favorites. With a librarian for a mother, the library became a second home early on.
I didn't have a clear idea of what I would write or what it would entail, but I thought it seemed cool to make up your own stories so that others could read them.
There have been around 40 books and around 1.5 million copies sold since her debut in 2002. Year after year, Ingelin Angerborn is found on library top lists of Swedish authors.
More on the way
She is currently editing her next thriller, scheduled for release next summer. She is also proofreading the third installment in the “World’s Worst Detectives” series for younger children, which she is writing with her husband. After the New Year, she will begin work on her next – secret – book project.
You've mentioned that a big advantage of your job is being able to work in your pajamas. Is that still a winning concept?
Absolutely. I'm sitting in my pajamas right now.
The Astrid Lindgren Prize was established on Astrid Lindgren's 60th birthday in 1967 by the publisher Rabén & Sjögren, and is awarded annually on the author's birthday, November 14.
The prize money is 100,000 kronor and the purpose is to reward Swedish authors in children's and young adult literature.
Åke Holmberg ("Ture Sventon") received the first prize in 1967. Other prize winners include Maria Gripe ("Tordyveln flyger i skymningen"), Ulf Stark ("Kan du vissla Johanna"), Moni Nilsson ("Tsatsiki") and Ylva Karlsson ("Jag och alla").
The 2024 laureate was Petter Lidbeck ("Three Girls").
The award should not be confused with the Alma Prize (Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award), established by the Swedish government in Lindgren's memory after her death in 2002.
