Expressen criticized the review: "Understand if the author took it badly"

In the autobiographical novel A Lonely Place, the author Kristina Sandberg writes about her life with cancer.

The book was reviewed by the writer Linda Skugge last Sunday - who worked hard with the saw.

Skugge writes, among other things: "It does not automatically become" art "just because you both repeat and italicize"

".

In the text, Skugge argues that you can die in countless ways, not only from cancer, and also advises Sandberg to use a sex toy to start the desire for the disease.

The publication has provoked reactions, where many believe that Skugge has crossed the border.

Dagens Nyheter's Sandra Stiskalo writes: "You crouch before Linda Skugge's tacky sawing".

Sydsvenskan's Rakel Chukri writes: "She (Skugge) is driven, as usual, by an almost clown-like longing to entertain the readers and an obsession that her own suffering is greatest in Sweden."

Defends the publication

So how nasty can you really be in a review?

Karin Olsson, cultural director at Expressen, says that she understands that the text stirs emotions.

Linda Skugge's text is a revolt against the strong norm that books about personal suffering and a difficult time in an author's life must not be criticized.

And if they are criticized, they should be criticized very politely.

- I have respect for the fact that there are those who feel very badly affected.

I also understand if the author in question has taken it badly.

But even literature reviews must sometimes allow themselves to break norms and touch boundaries. 

Did you have any doubts before publishing the text?

- Of course we understood that the text would arouse emotions and be controversial, but then you as an editor must take a deep breath ... because we must let our writers have a freedom. If we do not want to let Linda Skugge cultivate her stylistics, then we can not have her as a writer.