A Nearly Normal Family

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual assault.

A Nearly Normal Family is set in Lund, the author’s place of residence and a historic city in Sweden known for its old university and medieval street layout. In summer, there can be up to 17 hours of daylight, but in winter, this drops to about seven hours. These long, dark winters can be tough for the people living there. Lund is also known for being bike friendly. The city has several bike paths and parking spaces, and many people choose to bike instead of driving or using public transport. This setting is a key part of the story, which gives a sense of what life is like in this Swedish city.

The Sandell family embodies typical Swedish family values, with both parents working and sharing household responsibilities. Ulrika, Stella’s mother, is a successful lawyer. This reflects Sweden’s cultural emphasis on gender equality and shift away from traditional patriarchal family structures, with many Swedish women actively participating in the workforce. The Sandells are also a nuclear family—a common household unit in Sweden—and the novel explores the dynamics and challenges working parents face in raising a child without ongoing support from extended family.

The Swedish cultural values of individualism and a deep respect for privacy play a significant role within the novel. This societal backdrop is evident in Stella’s strong desire for autonomy and her rebellious streak. Adam, with his keen focus on maintaining privacy and handling family matters internally, similarly mirrors the Swedish norm of being reserved and discreet in public life.

Since 2000, Sweden has had a legal separation of church and state, emphasizing religion as a private matter as well. Over half the population identifies with the Church of Sweden but rarely attends church. This reflects the country’s low levels of religious commitment and the secular nature of Swedish society. Characters like Ulrika and Stella exemplify this trend, showing little interest in religious activities.

Swedish legal context follows a civil law tradition with codified laws and focuses on rehabilitation rather than punitive measures, though Stella’s experience in jail contradicts this. There are no jury trials in Sweden, and professional judges play a central role in determining verdicts. The legal system is characterized by an inquisitorial approach, where judges actively investigate and gather evidence. These aspects of the Swedish legal system provide context for the story’s legal proceedings and the moral dilemmas the characters face.

The theme of sexual assault and its legal and societal implications is central to the narrative, mirroring real issues in Sweden. The country has one of the highest numbers of reported rape cases in the world (“Rape Statistics by Country 2024.” World Population Review). The novel sheds light on the challenges within the Swedish legal system to address sexual violence, as seen in the acquittals of the individuals Ulrika defends. Sweden’s situation, characterized by high reported sexual assault cases but low conviction rates, is due to factors such as the broad legal definition of sexual assault and a high level of public trust in the justice system. This dichotomy between law and practice creates opportunities for impunity, which the novel critically explores through its characters and plot.