Depths by Henning MankellMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
It took me a few pages to realise that the author is holding the reader inside the very weird and strange head of a mad, maybe even psychopathic killer. It felt uncomfortable and alien to the effect that I was tempted to give up reading ‘Depths’ - even though it is by an author popular with me through the Wallander novels. However, of course I pressed on with it and ended up liking it.
The title refers to the process of measuring the depths of the sea, or soundings, in the waters around the archipelago of Sweden, and in particular seas that are around Stockholm. The main character is a compulsive obsessive, and the depths of his mind were dark and very dangerous. I started reading under the impression that it may be a story about World War 1, which in essence I suppose it is. But not at all; this is a tale about the way a human mind can ‘go wrong’ and how distraction and lust may result in tragedy. There is tension and unease throughout the novel, reflecting Mankell’s amazing skills as a writer. He is precise and accurate with realistic situations and dialogue. It is quite a different kind of ‘crime thriller’ and I can recommend it to fans of the genre as well as to anyone who just enjoys a good read with oodles of – pardon the pun – depth!
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