The social contract is not negotiated at an individual level. It is a universal set of rules that must be followed for society to function. The contract stipulates that the individual, henceforth known as The Woman, is required to play three roles. The Woman must be a mother. The Woman must be desirable. The Woman must be a caregiver.

When Anna gives birth, she takes on a new role. Everything is centred around her children. As her marriage collapses, she begins an affair with an aging author, only to find herself once again in the role of caregiver. Supporting Act is the study of a woman performing the roles society asks of her, even as they overlap, contradict and subsume each other.

About the Author
Agnes Lidbeck is one of the most prominent and versatile contemporary Swedish writers. Since making her literary debut in 2017, she has become an indispensable voice in Swedish literature, as an author as well as an essayist, columnist and frequent guest on cultural radio and television shows. Her works include the novels Gafoerlorad (At a Loss, 2019), Foerlaten (The Rift, 2018), Nikes bok (Nikky's Book, 2021), and All min karlek (All my Love, 2023), and the poetry collection Ur (From, 2018).

Reviews

"In my years as a literary critic I have rarely come across anything like it. Supporting Act is a sensational debut."

- Expressen

"Agnes Lidbeck's cold, precise prose scrutinizes the fulfillment of the demands and rituals of love."

- Svenska Dagbladet

"Agnes Lidbeck has written a sharp and haunting debut."

- Kulturnytt, Radio P1

"A powerful novel about submission."

- Vi Laser Magazine

"It is a striking satire... In the details, in the attention to the social game and, in the psychological realism of the moments, Supporting Act is at times genius."

- Nordvastra Skanes Tidningar

"Sometimes you come across real gems: books that are interesting, well-written and well balanced between a neat linguistic style and an engaging story. Rarely, they come from debutants. Agnes Lidbeck's debut novel, about women's roles, self-realization and being content, is an exception."

- Boras Tidning

Book Information
ISBN 9781916806085
Author Agnes Lidbeck
Format Paperback
Imprint Peirene Press Ltd
Publisher Peirene Press Ltd