Steve Sem-Sandberg

Born in Oslo in 1958, Steve Sem-Sandberg is an esteemed author and critic, having published a dozen novels, investigative stories, and collections of essays. He has been nominated for the Swedish Radio Literary Award, the Nordic Council Literary Award and has won the Sorescu Award and the De Nios Grand Award. His first book to be translated into English, The Emperor of Lies, was also the winner of the prestigious August Prize.

The story tells the tragic and controversial tale of a man who has divided history, Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski.  Drawing on the Łódź chronicles, Sem-Sandburg captures the full panorama of human resilience, whilst questioning the nature of evil. Rumkowski’s legacy as ruthless opportunist or pragmatic strategist who saved the lives of many Jews during the Nazi regime is examined through this extraordinary novel which has been published in over thirty languages.