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Supporting Act

By Agnes Lidbeck
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Brief Description
Supporting Act is the first novel in English from Agnes Lidbeck, a major talent of European literature, highly praised by Katie Kitamura and Claire Messud. The social contract is non-negotiable. The woman must be a mother. The woman must be desirable. The woman must be a... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3799
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The first novel in English from a major talent of European literature, feted by Katie Kitamura and Claire Messud.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Supporting Act is the first novel in English from Agnes Lidbeck, a major talent of European literature, highly praised by Katie Kitamura and Claire Messud.

The social contract is non-negotiable. The woman must be a mother. The woman must be desirable. The woman must be a caregiver. When Anna gives birth, she surrenders completely to motherhood, reshaping her body, identity, and purpose, shielding herself from the burden of her own desires. But as her marriage crumbles and her children grow independent, she needs a new role. An affair with an ageing writer, Ivan, offers her a new narrative, a way to rewrite herself. But no role lasts forever, and sooner or later Anna must confront the woman beneath the performance.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781916806085

Publisher: Peirene Press Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 July 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Peirene Press Ltd

Contributors:

  • Translated by Nichola Smalley
  • Translated by Nichola Smalley

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 125.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 192

Collections

Agnes Lidbeck Fiction Fiction in Translation General Fiction Literary Fiction

About the Author

Agnes Lidbeck is one of Sweden’s most prominent and versatile contemporary writers. She made her literary debut with Supporting Act in 2017, which was shortlisted for the Svenska Dagbladet Prize and won the Borås Tidning Debut Novel Prize. She went on to write Förlåten (‘Forgiven’, 2018), Gå förlorad (‘Get Lost’, 2019), Nikes bok (‘Nike's Book’, 2021) and All min kärlek (‘All my Love’, 2023 - forthcoming in 2026 from Peirene Press). Lidbeck also writes for the stage and is known for her sharp, minimalist style.  Nichola Smalley is a translator of Swedish and Norwegian literature. Her translation of Andrzej Tichý’s Wretchedness won the 2021 Oxford-Weidenfeld Prize and was shortlisted for the Bernard Shaw and International Booker Prizes. Her translation of A System So Magnificent It Is Blinding by Amanda Svensson was longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2023.

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