NOTE: This article is a republication- Source: Salomonsson Agency.
If you were to put together a piece of art from the most vital moments of your life, would the end result be a beautiful mosaic – or a hodge-podge of clutter?
“The Last Piece” truly looks unremarkable. When world-famous artist Hanna Stiltje unveils her latest artwork at the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, disappointed murmurs travel through the crowd. Instead of an exquisite painting or statue like the ones she’s known for, Hanna shows the audience a dresser made of junk and scraps. But they’re not just any scraps. Piece by piece, the story behind the clutter is revealed, unfolding a gripping story of parents’ betrayals of their children and the rigid blindness of the institutions meant to protect our youngest. But even more so, of daring to not close one’s eyes in the face of misery, that love has the power to win even over blood ties, and how we ought to celebrate the bravery it takes to make a difference in someone’s life.
Which is truly more note- and praiseworthy? The act of the artist under the spotlight, or the quiet kindness of the fellow human? Sofia Lundberg shows once more her unique ability to stir questions and emotions that linger with the reader. The Last Piece of Art is Lundberg’s sixth novel.