Mikael Niemi

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Mikael Niemi (born 13 August 1959 in Pajala, Norrbotten, Sweden) is a Swedish author. He wrote the novel Populärmusik från Vittula (in English as Popular music from Vittula"). It is the story of a young boy, Matti, growing up in Pajala in the 1960s and is recounted in a humorous, way. It became a bestseller and was made into a film in 2004 by Reza Bagher.

Niemi has also written Svålhålet (really roughly translated into English as The hole of tough fat), Kyrkdjävulen (the church devil), "Mannen som dog som en lax"(the man who died like a salmon) and Blodsugarna (the bloodsuckers).

He first became famous by writing poetry, and he has published many collections of poetry, such as Änglar med mausergevär (angels with mauserguns) , Med rötter här uppe (with roots frok up here) and his very first, Näsblod under högmässan (Nosebleed during the high mass). He has also written many works for the theater.

All of his books contain some Meänkieli, because Pajala, and the rest of Tornedalen, is partly inhabitated by people of Finnish origin, even though the area has always been Swedish territory.

The most jaw-dropping, gobsmacking wonder of his books is Astro Truckers, described as, poetic, grotesque, hilarious, disgusting and visionary.

Mikael Niemi was educated in Luleå but currently resides in Pajala.