Sonnevi, Goran

(1939-)

   One of Sweden's most famous modern poets, Sonnevi became known throughout Sweden in 1965, when he published his poem "Om kriget i Vietnam" (About the War in Vietnam), included in Ingrepp-modeller (1965; Intervention Models). His literary debut was four years earlier, however, with the collection Outfort (1961; Unaccomplished), which was followed by Abstrakta dikter (1963; Abstract Poems). The poems in these volumes are characterized by his reliance on the modernist tradition in Swedish literature. The collections och nu! (1967; And Now!) and Det måste ga (1970; It Must Work) argue in favor ofdemocratic socialism and anti-imperialism and promote an activist stance on the part of common men and women.

   Det oavslutade spraket (1972; The Unfinished Language) marks the beginning of a period in Sonnevi's oeuvre when he focused on writing long poems. Other volumes in this vein include Det omojliga (1975; The Impossible) and Sprak; Verktyg; Eld (1979; Language; Tools; Fire). While Sonnevi continued to speak in favor ofsocialism, Sprak; Verktyg; Eld also recognized that socialism was no longer a viable option for most people. Sma klanger, en rost (1981; Small Tones, a Voice) is a collection of unrhymed sonnets. Oavslutade dikter (1987; Unfinished Poems) and Trädet (1991; The Tree) deal with current events. Other works are Mozarts terdje hjarna (1996; Mozart's Third Brain) and Klangarnes bok (1998; The Book of Tones). In 2005 he received the Nordic Prize of the Swedish Academy for his lifetime poetic achievement.