Per Olov Enquist

Per Olov Enquist , 1934–, Swedish novelist and dramatist. During a highly productive period in the 1960s and 70s and frequently thereafter, Enquist has based much of his work on historical figures and events. His novel The Legionnaires (1968, tr. 1973) examines the life of refugees in Sweden after World War II. His popular play The Night of the Tribades (1975, tr. 1977) examines the private life of playwright August Strindberg , and the drama Bildmakarna [the picture makers] (1998) features Selma Lagerlöf as one of its four characters. Enquist's later novels include Nedstortad Angel (1987, tr. Downfall, 1991), I Lodjurets Timma (1988, tr. Hour of the Lynx, 1990), Kapten Nemos Bibliotek [Captain Nemo's library] (1991), and Livläkarens Besök (1999, tr. The Royal Physician's Visit, 2001). Enquist's fiction often provides social criticism from his position on the political left. Enquist has written screenplays for Hamsun (1996) and Magnetisörens femte vinter [the magnetist's fifth winter] (1997), an adaptation of his 1964 novel (and first major book) of the same name. His other works include short stories and travel books.

Bibliography: See study by R. Shideler (1984).