Southern Stockholm Psychiatric Hospital, called Rosenlund in the novel, is a psychiatric facility close to Sofia Zetterlund’s office at Mariatorget. It enters the story through its care of Annette Lundström and through the news its staff give Sofia about Linnea Lundström’s death, making it a point where clinical care and the consequences of family trauma meet.

Setting and Access

The hospital is less than a kilometre from Sofia’s office. When Ann-Britt tells Sofia that Annette is a patient there, she also warns that staff will come to collect Annette in fifteen minutes. The short distance makes the hospital part of Sofia’s immediate working surroundings, but the approaching transfer sharply limits her opportunity to speak with Annette.

Annette’s Care

Annette is at Southern Stockholm Psychiatric Hospital while Sofia is trying to talk with her. In the brief meeting, Annette speaks of Sigtuna, Denmark, and a plan to build a temple in Polcirkeln, presenting these ideas as part of a promised future and as rules for who may live there. Sofia regrets having arranged for the psychiatric clinics to be called before she had spent longer with Annette; once the collection is imminent, she has only fifteen minutes to make the conversation count.

News of Linnea’s Death

Staff at Southern Stockholm Psychiatric Hospital tell Sofia that Linnea hanged herself at home while Annette watched television in the living room. The report ties the hospital to events beyond its walls: Linnea’s death occurs at home, but its disclosure reaches Sofia through the institution caring for her mother. Sofia remembers Linnea as a young woman who had sat across from her in treatment and wanted to talk and feel better. The news leaves Sofia grieving the loss and the treatment progress they had begun to make.