Popular Music from Vittula

I just re-read Popular Music from Vittula, by Mikael Niemi (ISBN: 1583226591). I actually read it in Swedish (ISN: 9172638400).

The book is about growing up in a northern Swedish town named Pajjala. “Northern” means very long, dark and cold winters and short summers with nidnight sun…

While the book is absurd in some ways, with an almost dream-like quality that in a way reminded me of “Den Store Blondino“, it is a loving description of a time and age long gone; both the society of the 1960s as well as the formative years are now irrevocably passed.

The protagonist and his best friend meet in the first chapter at age five or six. The take off on a haphazard tour to China, but only get as far as Germany before they are discovered and sent back. Together they learn about friendship, growing up, girls, alcohol and growing up. I did mention growing up twice, and that’s because so much of the book is about just that; observing the world changing while being part of the world. How relations and responsibilities take on new meanings as we get older.

They take part in the Pajala drinking competition, play in a band, fight with other youth gangs in town and all the sort of half-innocent, half-serious things that kids do. Or did. No computer games, no ultra-violence, no gangsta’ suburbs and stuff that might meet the youth of today.

I highly recommend the book, as I believe it portrays something that most people can relate to and it does give some food for thought between the smiles and laughs.

–Jesper Högström