Leo Kall is a scientist who employs chemistry in the service of the oppressive Worldstate. This poetic and moving novel deserves to be remembered in the same breath as We, 1984, Brave New World, and other great twentieth-century dystopias. It is one of the first and best examples of Swedish literature and for all you dystopian-fans out there, I think it’s a must read! But while Kallocain is written in much the same spirit, it couldn't have been done any other way. Over the last year or so, I've come to almost despise the literary and cinematic culture in my country: the Ingmar Bergmanification (word? It is now!): the hatred for escapism the inability to create anything that isn't dark, sad and depressing. It is raw and real without the shock-value. The book, as far as I remember, is completely devoid of sexual or violent content that could be considered morbid, but the thing is: it doesn't need that. It's almost frightening to read how they can't keep ANYTHING hidden.

Miss Boye does a FANTASTIC job of portraying people under the influence of truth-serum – especially since it’s such a massive contrast to how guarded they usually are. My favourite parts are undoubtedly the ones where Kallocain is used.

Packed full with social criticism, I think Boye does a good job of building up a world where the biggest problem isn't so much the state, but the mental walls that keep the people from each other. So anyway! Kallocain is a dystopian part-scifi about the chemist Leo Kall, who invents the first ever truth-serum - Kallocain - and thereby unlocks doors that were supposed to stay shut. I actually read this book back in 2007, but today at the flea market I just so happened upon a FREAKIN' ORIGINAL COPY FROM 1940 AND BOUGHT IT FOR FIVE FREAKIN' CROWNS! IT'S AMAZING AND SO FRAGILE AND THE PAGES A BLOODY HAND-CUT AND I LOVE IIIT! I don't know how famous Kallocain or Karin Boye are outside Sweden, but she's pretty much one of our most renowned authors.

Kallocain by Karin Boye