Frans Wachtmeister releases new novel ‘Livsrum’

Frans Wachtmeister’s new novel, ‘Livsrum’, explores themes of globalization and colonial power structures through a dark, provocative lens. The story follows Erika, a middle-aged woman who leaves her life in Sweden for Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, after a disruptive break-in at her home.

In Egypt, Erika and a friend attempt to open a guesthouse catering to women engaged in sex tourism. The narrative uses this setting to reflect on contemporary issues, specifically how nostalgia for colonial-era dynamics manifests in modern power structures. While described as a form of ‘reverse feel-good’ fiction, critics note that the novel’s heavy reflections on the state of the world can occasionally feel overwhelming.