Uppdraget

Uppdraget The Assignment

The Provincial Resident of a desolate province in a South American country has been assassinated. When Manuel Ortega, a minor diplomat, accepts the appointment as the dead man’s successor, it seems a foolhardy decision. From the day he assumes his post he is thrown into a violent, corrupt world, where two extremist political factions are trying to destroy each other. Ortega is the proverbial man in the middle, surrounded by men and women he wants to trust – his secretary, the cynical Chief of Police, and the sullen bodyguards who try to keep the Resident alive. Political and moral undercurrents, and a brutally ironic climax.

The Assignment is another brilliant and tense novel by a Scandinavian Franz Kafka.

Reviews

  • “A frighteningly effective and clear book. /…/ The Assignment is a novel with clear documentation as an organic component, but set up for a brave film director (perhaps a Kubrick). It is as exciting as a thriller by Graham Greene, unpleasant, because its not written as entertainment, but in concentrated novel form sets forth shocking material. /…/ An international book of unseen cogency.”

    Jyllands-Posten, Denmark

  • The Assignment is something as uncommon as a political thriller which is equally excellent as a thriller and as a political novel. You rush through it with pounding heart and cold hands, but it is so precisely constructed and so sensually written that it is impossible to read it superficially.”

    Information, Denmark

  • “Frighteningly effective.”

    Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden

  • “For example, I can't see that Our Man in Havana is in any respect a better book than The Assignment. And the choice between an entertainment with Greene's turbid Catholicism at its core and one with Wahlöö's social and political awareness is not difficult.”

    Dagens Nyheter, Sweden

  • “A powerful and relentless book.”

    Göteborgs-Tidningen, Sweden

  • “Even if The Lorry was a clear success, you don´t hesitate to deem The Assignment even more brilliant.”

    Arboga tidning, Sweden

  • “You come close to the source of the contemporary Swedish thriller novel … if you read The Lorry and The Assignment.”

    Finans Vision, Sweden

  • “It´s with these two books [The Lorry and The Assignment] — and now my voice is trembling — that the Swedish crime novel got a human face.”

    Norrköpings Tidningar, Sweden

  • The Assignment is a fascinating book. It is caustic, bitter and hard. In addition, it´s significant.”

    Sjömannen, Sweden

  • “Astoundingly good.”

    Beklädnadsfolket, Sweden

  • The Assignment is that unusual and sought-efter thing, an extraordinary novel which is easily accessible, entertaining at the same time as it is important and serious.”

    BTJ, Sweden

  • “The Assignment offers the basis for a film, which ought to enthuse even a master like Luis Buñuel.”

    Upsala Nya Tidning, Sweden

  • “It is cleverly done, gruesome and fascinating.”

    Göteborgs-Posten, Sweden

  • “Top-notch adventure. /…/ Wahlöö´s language is clear and cogent, and he narrates his exciting plot without missing a beat.”

    Norrbottens-Kuriren, Sweden

  • “A tour de force.”

    Bohuslänningen, Sweden

Author
Per Wahlöö
Genre
  • Crime
Pages
266
Reading material

Swedish edition

English edition

Rights sold

Germany, Rowohlt

Poland, Albatros

Sweden, Piratförlaget

US, Vintage

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