About me
Jonas Gardell (b. 1963) is recognized as one of the greatest and most distinctive voices in Swedish literature today, combining the roles of novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and comedian with remarkable versatility. Born on November 2, 1963, he is the brother of religion scholar Mattias Gardell and has achieved international recognition with his books translated into approximately 25 languages throughout Scandinavia and beyond.
Since his literary debut with "Passionsspelet" (The Passion Play) in 1985, Gardell has time and again mesmerized reading audiences with moving, stylistically immaculate prose that ricochets off the page. His unique mixture of humor and heartbreaking episodes fetched from his own life as a member of the LGBTQ+ community has made Gardell a trendsetting authorship in Scandinavia, establishing new paradigms for queer literary expression.
Gardell has authored over ten novels, nine plays, and two screenplays, including "Livet är en schlager" (Life is a Schlager). His novel "En komikers uppväxt" (A Comedian Growing Up) was adapted into a television series, demonstrating his versatility across multiple media formats. Beyond literature, he has established himself as one of Sweden's most celebrated stand-up comedians, seamlessly blending his comedic talents with his literary prowess.
His groundbreaking trilogy "Torka aldrig tårar utan handskar" (Don't Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves), which chronicles the HIV/AIDS crisis in Sweden's LGBTQ+ community, represents his most acclaimed work. The trilogy earned him the 2013 "Homo Bi Trans Person of the Year" award at the Swedish Gaygalan Awards, presented by Crown Princess Victoria, whom he thanked with characteristic humor by calling himself "our little queen."
Gardell's numerous accolades include multiple QX Gala Novel of the Year Awards, the Swedish Bookstore Assistants Association's Best Adult Book of the Year, and the Grand Audiobook Prize. Through his multifaceted career, Gardell continues to challenge literary conventions while advancing LGBTQ+ visibility and understanding across multiple artistic mediums, cementing his position as a transformative voice in contemporary Scandinavian literature.
