Eira Sjödin

Eira Sjödin is the main character of the novel. Eira is 32 years old and lives with her ailing mother, Kerstin. Although Eira spent time away from her hometown, pursuing her life and goals in Stockholm, Sweden, she moved home when she learned that her mother was suffering with dementia. She spends the majority of her time working on the police force and caring for her mother. This lifestyle does not afford Eira any time to herself. Throughout the novel, she often longs for companionship and kinship with others. At the same time, she worries about abandoning her mother and forsaking her duties on the job.

When she becomes involved with her colleague, August Engelhardt, she begins wondering at the possibilities of a romantic connection. However, she is aware that August is in a relationship with a girl named Johanna. Eira is also wary of getting...