That Much Love Can Never Die

Moni Nilsson

I possibly got cancer in my arms and hands. Or I have some other disease. In any case, it’s as aggressive as mom’s cancer and makes me unable to stop fighting.
I’m hitting all those who feel sorry for me. And they are many. Disgusting Noa must have told everyone in the whole school. Or everyone must have watched the Cancer Gala on TV. Wherever I look, someone looks at me with the poor-you glance. When I hit them, they don’t feel sorry for me any longer. Then they just get mad. It feels much better.
The only one who understands me is teacher Anna. She never forces me to apologize, and if I must run home and check that mom is well, I am allowed to. Unfortunately, Anna is ill. Luckily, she doesn’t have cancer. I called her and asked. She said she would be back next week. We have a substitute.
The substitute’s name is Bengt and he doesn’t understand a thing.

Moni Nilsson’s new novel is about a mother dying of cancer, what the sickness does with the family and especially Lea, the younger daughter and our protagonist. With warmth, humor and a straightforward language, she manages to depict the biggest sorrow in a very gripping way, leaving the reader with hope for the future and a great love for life.

Moni Nilsson is one of Sweden’s most acclaimed authors of children’s books and young adult fiction. During her literary career, spanning over almost 30 years, she has written within many genres and for different ages. Her big breakthrough came with the books about Tzatziki, translated to over 20 languages and adapted for the screen.