Before the River Takes Us: A Novel

This Scandinavian best seller set in South Asia, has moved the hearts and minds of readers around the world. It offers a fascinating glimpse into a world where hard working diplomats cross paths with struggling garment workers and shady factory owners. A world where tennis matches, pool parties and terrorism collide with unexpected results.A Scandinavian diplomatic family with small children move to the bustling mega city of Dhaka. At the same time as the family arrives in the affluent diplomatic enclave of Baridhara, two young sisters flee village life. The sisters move into the slums surrounding the diplomatic villas, and one of them is soon hired as a nanny for the family. Slowly, but inexorably, the two worlds merge. This is a story about the underbelly of international development and fast urbanisation. A story about love, professional ambitions and the importance for women to take their rightful space. Thorfinn´s writing style is full-bodied and effective, leaving the reader with a sense of having walked the streets of Dhaka, both as a privileged westerner, and as a young woman from the village.