Maj Sjowall

Date of Birth: September 25, 1935

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: April 29, 2020

Biography

Maj Sjöwall was a renowned Swedish author and translator, best known for her collaborative work on the Martin Beck series of crime novels with her partner Per Wahlöö. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Maj initially worked as a journalist, translator, and art director before venturing into the world of crime fiction. In the early 1960s, she met Per Wahlöö, a fellow journalist and writer. The couple decided to co-author a series of ten police procedural novels featuring the detective Martin Beck. This series, known as “The Story of a Crime,” was published between 1965 and 1975 and is credited with pioneering the Scandinavian noir genre, influencing countless writers and filmmakers. The novels are celebrated for their realistic portrayal of police work and their critical examination of Swedish society. Despite Wahlöö’s death in 1975, Sjöwall’s legacy continued to thrive, and their work remains influential in the crime fiction genre.

5 Interesting Facts about Maj Sjowall

1. Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö wrote each of their Martin Beck novels in a meticulous and collaborative manner, often discussing and outlining the entire plot together before starting to write.

2. The Martin Beck series has been translated into more than 35 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

3. In addition to her work as an author, Maj Sjöwall was also a skilled translator and translated works by several prominent authors into Swedish.

4. The Martin Beck series was adapted into a popular Swedish TV series and several films, further cementing Sjöwall’s influence in popular culture.

5. Maj Sjöwall received the prestigious Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1971 for the book “The Laughing Policeman,” which she co-authored with Per Wahlöö.