Reviews

• “Johanna Swanberg tells an entertaining story. /…/ Her characters are curious and energetic. /…/ Cassi is funny, deep, and moving.”

• “Johanna Swanberg debuts with a clever feelgood novel. /…/ [In which she] also succeeds with the remarkable task of evoking sympathy for Cassi’s shifty healing-business (…). It’s funny and very moving.”

• “[Cassi is] a thought-provoking page-turner – and it’s funny too!”

• “In many ways, Cassi is a classic feelgood novel centered around a career woman who moves from the big city to a small town to find herself. But Johanna Swanberg’s novel also has a touch of darkness which offers a good balance. It is an entertaining read, suitable for both the classic feelgood reader and one who usually wouldn’t pick up a book like this.”

• “A feelgood novel for everyone who wants to take a deep breath – and laugh whole-heartedly in the process.”

• “The kind of story that warms your heart and heals you from within.”

• “Swanberg tells this story with an ease that’s utterly contagious. Her tone is warm, humorous, and sincere – at times laugh-out-loud funny, at others quiet and deeply moving. The characters are portrayed with great affection: quirky, but never cartoonish. The villagers in particular quickly form an ensemble you’ll be reluctant to leave behind. Amid the bursts of laughter and moments of reflection lies an important message: you don’t have to be perfect to have something to offer. And it’s okay to fail if it means reinventing yourself. Cassi is a celebration of the unplanned – a gentle reminder of the freedom that comes with letting go.”

• “Cassi is a very humoristic and at times bizarre novel. You will time and time again be met with scenes which make you smile, but also moments which will deeply move you and maybe bring forth a tear in your eye. The novel gives off an incredibly casual and warm feeling, and you will quickly be attached to the locals. /…/ Johanna Swanberg has written an entertaining novel with a playful tone which leaves you with a content and warm feeling towards the ending. [Cassi is] for everyone who would like to read an entertaining and warm-hearted novel filled with odd characters and encounters.”

• “An incredibly strong novel about loneliness, but also zest for life, that is especially convincing thanks to its wonderful character depictions and captivating dialogues. /…/ With lightness, joy, and loads of humor, Swanberg manages to tell a story that also contains serious and peaceful passages. The depiction of rural life (…) is especially well executed. This is mostly because of Cassi – a character you cannot help but love. /…/ In her debut Cassi, Johanna Swanberg tells an incredibly entertaining and warm-hearted story about loneliness, friendship, affection, and rural life – at times sad and deeply moving, at times weird and humoristic. A novel cut out for warm summer days.”

• “[Cassi] captivates with its mix of humor, depth, and portrayal of the healing power in human relations.”

• “Warm-hearted, funny, touching story about the courage to be planless.”

• “This debut is a great joy. The story is original, warm-hearted, and at times very funny. A novel to enjoy, that makes you feel good.”

• “Tragedy is mixed with hilarious humor – and what a delightful collection of characters!”

• “The story about Cassi, (…) has great energy and takes unexpected turns. Despite Cassi being a fraud, she becomes a positive catalyst in many people’s lives. Lovely about relationships that get a chance to grow and evolve.”

• “Johanna Swanberg’s debut Cassi delivers both darkness and humour.”

• “The story about Cassi (…) has great momentum and takes unexpected turns. /…/ Beautiful about relationships that get the chance to grow and transform.”

• “A strong narrative about a somewhat destructive woman and her trials and tribulations in achieving a functioning life.”

• “[Cassi is] an incredibly good and funny book. /…/ It is absurd, in a good way. You love Cassi. /…/ The language is really good. /…/ A very entertaining read. I laughed out loud a number of times and cried at the end. /…/ [Cassi] is amazing.”

• “I have always been impressed by (and a bit jealous of) journalists who dare to write a novel. Read Johanna Swanberg’s bittersweet debut Cassi, a novel about sinking to the bottom and getting back on your feet. Funny, tender, and human!”