The True Deceiver is a gem of a novel from Swedish author Tove Jansson. A real treat to discover. She is known the world over for her whimsical tales of Moomintroll, a hippopotamus-like character with a dreamy disposition in a long running series of children's books, often dealing with art and nature. Her eleven novels were all for adults, and are slowly being translated.
Everyone knows your business in the small northern Swedish hamlet of Vasterby, and they all gossip about Katri and her simple teenage brother Mats. She has no use for simple social graces at all and the kids chant 'Witch!' in the streets. Walking with her unnamed dog through the winter snowdrifts, she absolutely doesn't care, what they think makes no difference. On the hill outside town, elderly Miss Aemelin lives in a large house they called rabbit house - She is a respected artist of detailed forest scenes with the addition of small flower covered rabbits that appear in popular children's books and appeal to all ages, generating children's fan mail as well as steady income. Fixated on money, Katri sees a way to ensure her future - she goes about ingratiating her way into the old lady's house, soon to be indispensable, to the bewilderment of the townsfolk. Katri's lack of charm is at first endearing, but her spare unemotional demeanour soon overtakes niceties completely, and the quiet life of a sensitive artist who feels the power of the forest begins to change.
This was captivating from the first page, drawing me right in with its disarming simplicity. A understated and sensitive look at isolated life, waiting for the snows to thaw, the ice on the river to flow, that belies an ominous conflict of ideals. Katri has a singular focus, both misguided and driven, and believes in what she does, she's quite convincing. There are few characters, each well crafted. The impression I'm left with is the unique mood Jansson created with her language and psychological detail. I read a copy from the library, I wish now I had bought it, it's worth reading again.
1982 / Tradeback / 181 pages
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