The Greatest Swedish Literature
This selection of fifty-five works of Swedish literature encompasses all literary forms, genres and periods. It includes works acclaimed by readers, writers, critics and scholars in Sweden and around the world.
The Greatest Swedish Literature focuses on major creative works—such as novels, novellas, plays, epic poetry and collections—although some short or nonfiction writing of literary significance may also be considered.
The list is continually updated as new works are discovered and appreciation of older works evolves. Please note the current revision date when citing the list.
Latest update: March 17, 2025
1834
The Queen's Tiara
by Carl Jonas Love Almquist, Sweden
Novel
1879
The Red Room
by August Strindberg, Sweden
Novel
1887
The Father
by August Strindberg, Sweden
Play
The People of Hemsö
by August Strindberg, Sweden
Play
1889
Miss Julie
by August Strindberg, Sweden
Play
1894
The Story of Gösta Berling
by Selma Lagerlöf, Sweden
Novel
1896
Inferno
by August Strindberg, Sweden
Novel
1898–1904
To Damascus
by August Strindberg, Denmark
Play series, also known as The Road to Damascus.
1902
A Dream Play
by August Strindberg, Sweden
Play
1905
Doctor Glas
by Hjalmar Söderberg, Sweden
Novella
1906–1907
The Wonderful Adventures of Nils
by Selma Lagerlöf, Sweden
Novel
1912
The Serious Game
by Hjalmar Söderberg, Sweden
Novel
1913
By the Open Sea
by August Strindberg, Sweden
Novel
1914
The Emperor of Portugallia
by Selma Lagerlöf, Sweden
Novel
1934–1937
The Novel About Olof
by Eyvind Johnson, Sweden
Novel
1935
Flowering Nettles
by Harry Martinson, Sweden
Novel
The Book-Dealer Who Ceased Bathing
by Fritiof Nilsson Piraten, Sweden
Novel
1940
Kallocain
by Karin Boye, Sweden
Novel
1941
Ride This Night
by Vilhelm Moberg, Sweden
Novel
1941–1945
The Long Ships
by Frans G. Bengtsson, Sweden
Novel
1942
The Man Without a Way
by Erik Lindegren, Sweden
Poetry collection
1944
The Dwarf
by Pär Lagerkvist, Sweden
Novel
1945–1948
Pippi Longstocking
by Astrid Lindgren, Sweden
Novella series, originally Pippi Långstrump, includes Pippi Longstocking, Pippi Goes on Board, and Pippi in the South Seas.
1946
Return to Ithaca
by Eyvind Johnson, Sweden
Novel
1948
The Road to Klockrike
by Harry Martinson, Sweden
Novel
1949–1959
The Emigrants
by Vilhelm Moberg, Sweden
Novel series, originally Utvandrarna, includes The Emigrants, Unto a Good Land, The Settlers and The Last Letter Home.
1950
Barabbas
by Pär Lagerkvist, Sweden
Novel
Mio, My Son
by Astrid Lindgren, Sweden
Novella
1956
Aniara
by Harry Martinson, Sweden
Epic poem
1960
The Days of His Grace
by Eyvind Johnson, Sweden
Novel
City of My Dreams
by Pers Ansers Fogelström, Sweden
Novel
1960–1968
Stockholm
by Pers Ansers Fogelström, Sweden
Novel series
1961
Collected Poems
by Nils Ferlin, Sweden
Poetry collection
A Time on Earth
by Vilhelm Moberg, Sweden
Novel
1963–1970
Emil of Maple House
by Astrid Lindgren, Sweden
Novel series
From Hell to Paradise
by Olof Lagercrantz, Sweden
Novel
1965
Diwan on ther Prince of Emgion
by Gunnar Ekëlof, Sweden
Poetry collection, originally Diwan över fursten av Emgión
1967
Flight of the Eagle
by Per Olof Sundman
Novel
1968
The Laughing Policeman
by Maj Sjöwall, Per Wahlöö, Sweden
Novel
1969
The Legionnaires
by Per Olov Enquist, Sweden
Novel, originally Legionärerna
1978
Puberty
by Ivar Lo-Johansson, Sweden
Memoir, originally Pubertet
1979
Wrath's Children
by Sara Lidman, Sweden
Novel
1981
Samuel's Book
by Sven Delblanc, Sweden
Novel
Ronia, the Robber's Daughter
by Astrid Lindgren, Sweden
Novella
1982
After the Flood
by P.C. Jersild, Sweden
Novel
1983
The Christmas Oratorio
by Göran Tunström, Sweden
Novel, originally Juloratoriet
1985
Simon and the Oak Trees
by Marianne Frederiksson, Sweden
Novel
1986
The Dog
by Kerstin Ekman, Sweden
Novel
1987–1999
Bert diaries
by Anders Jacobsson, Sören Olsson, Sweden
Novel series
1989
For the Living and the Dead
by Tomas Tranströmer, Sweden
Poetry collection
1991
Faceless Killers
by Henning Mankell, Sweden
Novel
1993
Blackwater
by Kerstin Ekman, Sweden
Novel
1995
Sidetracked
by Henning Mankell, Sweden
Novel, originally Villospår
2004
The Book About Blanche and Marie
by Per Olov Enquist, Sweden
Novel
2005–2007
Millennium trilogy
by Stieg Larsson, Sweden
Novel series includes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
Nordic noir had been around before the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and its sequels made it a worldwide fad. For at least a decade earlier, Scandinavian crime writers, like Henning Mankell, had been winning.... Critique • Quotes • Buy
