Henning Mankell refutes the 'myth of the Swedish model'

Interviewed by Gilles Anquetil and François Armanet, the Swedish writer Henning Mankell questions the particularly positive image his country benefits from. "This paradise is a myth that you created, not us. It is foreigners who became fascinated by the 'Swedish model' and ... by Swedish blonds ! Sweden is not responsible for the mythology that surrounds it. And it is naturally aware of its share of problems, especially that which I refer to in my books: the relationship between democracy and the judicial system. If there is a dysfunction in the justice system, democracy cannot work either. Sweden has experienced numerous scandals that give the impression that corruption and organised crime are developing. There are even notable racist tendencies, albeit much less pronounced than in other countries. The Swedish followed the riots in the French suburbs very closely. We haven't reached that extreme yet, but we might if we're not careful."

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