The writer is wellknown for his Wallander-books, that have been turned into popular tv-series. But Wallander is not the only arrow on his bow. He is involved in theaterwork and children’s books and Mozambique. A large part of the year he lives in that African country. So it is no accident that Africa turns up in his many books.

In this childre’s book the writer takes us to Mozambique. Two sisters (Maria and Sofia) are the main characters. In their everyday life they see and feel and notice the consequences of the awful civil war that raged the country for so many years. The landmines form a big part of the consequences.

In the midst of all this suffering these two girls try to shape their lives. Sofi, a girl that lived outside the book first, tries to work with the sewingmachine that she received as a gift. And then it happens.

The book struck me as gripping and moving. 

Henning Mankell – Eldens hemlighet – 1995