A Nearly Normal Family

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual assault.

A Nearly Normal Family is set in Lund, the author’s place of residence and a historic city in Sweden known for its old university and medieval street layout. In summer, there can be up to 17 hours of daylight, but in winter, this drops to about seven hours. These long, dark winters can be tough for the people living there. Lund is also known for being bike friendly. The city has several bike paths and parking spaces, and many people choose to bike instead of driving or using public transport. This setting is a key part of the story, which gives a sense of what life is like in this Swedish city.

The Sandell family embodies typical Swedish family values, with both parents working and sharing household responsibilities. Ulrika, Stella’s mother, is a successful lawyer. This reflects Sweden’s cultural emphasis on gender equality and shift away from traditional patriarchal family structures, with many Swedish women actively participating in the workforce. The Sandells are also a nuclear family—a common household unit in Sweden—and the novel explores the dynamics and challenges working parents face in raising a child without ongoing support from extended family.