Föredrag med Elin Ylvasdotter om Skammen vi ärvde

Elin Ylvasdotter’s paternal grandmother was Jewish, while her paternal grandfather came from a family of committed Nazis.

In some boxes in the attic of the family’s summer house, Elin found numerous swastikas, correspondence between her grandfather’s parents and German Nazis, and pictures of Hitler. Her grandparents’ story inspired the novel Skammen vi ärvde, which was published in spring 2026. On 21 October, Ylvasdotter will visit the museum to talk about the book and her family history.

About the book

A love against all odds. When Ruth and Carl meet in Uppsala in 1942, they are drawn to each other by a force they cannot resist – even as the world around them is torn apart by war, hatred and persecution. She lives in constant fear of being exposed. He carries the shame of his own family’s beliefs. Together, they try to build a life, but the price is high. In her debut novel, inspired by real events, Elin Ylvasdotter lays bare a rarely told part of Sweden’s history that feels painfully relevant today. "Skammen vi ärvde" is a moving portrayal of forbidden love, guilt and reconciliation – and of the legacy passed down through generations.

About the author

Elin Ylvasdotter was born in Uppsala in 1991 and now lives in Stockholm with her husband and children. She previously worked as a speechwriter for Stefan Löfven and now works at Cancerfonden. In 2026, she makes her debut with the novel Skammen vi ärvde.