The Red Address Book

Author/Guide: Sofia Lundberg

Why a Booktrail?

2000s looking back: Meet Doris, 96, with an address book full of memories

ISBN: B07DVVRXXD
Genre: Fiction

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What you need to know before your trail

Meet Doris, a 96-year-old woman living alone in her Stockholm apartment. She has few visitors, but her weekly Skype calls with Jenny—her American grandniece, and her only relative—give her great joy and remind her of her own youth.

When Doris was a girl, she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris sees the many crossed-out names of people long gone and is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. In writing down the stories of her colourful past—working as a maid in Sweden, modelling in Paris during the 30s, fleeing to Manhattan at the dawn of the Second World War—can she help Jenny, haunted by a difficult childhood, to unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future? And whatever became of Allan, the love of Doris’s life?

Locations

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France - Paris
D: Rue Notre Dame des Champs, 86
E: Place Émile-Goudeau, Rue Ravignan
F: Pont du Garigliano/Pont Viaduc d'auteuil

Travel Guide

BookTrail Travel to Stockholm, Paris and New York

Visit Stockholm

Minimal locations but a few of note in each place which help to guide you through the story. Stockholm is seen as the city where the story starts, in the unassuming apartment in Bastugatan, Sodermalm. From there, the red address book takes you on a journey of people, characters, memories and more.

Throughout the story, Stockholm is ‘home’ pulling back the characters wherever they are. A nice draw back to the city of bridges and rivers.

Visit Paris

A city of glamour and posh apartments. IT’s in Montmatre where she explores the narrow alleyways and sees the ramshackle buildings of the famous artistic area. In the apartment of her elegant boss, she wanders through corridors of oak-wood panels and bookshelves. Les Halles, famed for its shops is where Agnes lives. The real shopping area is of course Boulevard Haussman.

Travel to New York

A fleeing visit but a sad one. Bloomingdales is one stop but there’s a very sad visit to Montauk just outside the city and 7th street where Allan lives.