Faber snaps up a book about ABBA by music journalist Jan Gradvall

Faber has snapped up Melancholy Undercover, a book about ABBA by music journalist Jan Gradvall, featuring exclusive band interviews and over a decade of research. 

Publishing director Hannah Knowles acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Johanna Lindborg at Bonnier Rights, and the book will be released in hardback on 10th October 2024.

"Since interviewing the four members of ABBA for an article in 2013 – at which time the band had not been interviewed for 30 years – a relationship was sparked between writer Jan Gradvall and the band, and he was granted unique access for the next decade," the synopsis says. "He has interviewed each of them exclusively, and they share their thoughts and opinions with him here more openly than ever before."

Gradvall said: "As a fellow Swede, I think I have an advantage when talking with members of ABBA: we come from the same country, the same culture, speak the same language, have watched the same TV shows, listened to the same music on Swedish radio. We have also all endured the long, dark winters and celebrated the sun and the light during the short summers. That’s where the songs come from."

Knowles added: "Like ABBA, this book brings so much joy – it’s the first time I’ve seen the band’s music treated so authoritatively and with such understanding, and the access Jan Gradvall has had to the band members is extraordinary; a true testament to his brilliance as a writer and music journalist."