Swedish author Claesson dead at 79

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Swedish author Stig Slas Claesson died of unspecified causes last week in his native land at the age of 79, his son has confirmed.

Best known for his literary descriptions of the Swedish countryside in works like "Who loves Yngve Frej," Claesson wrote an estimated 80 books during his career, The Local reported Saturday.

Despite his advancing age, Claesson continued to write and even published the book "Goodnight, Miss Ann" in 2006.

"Who Loves" and its classic comparisons of rural versus urban life in Sweden was adapted for television and stage.

For his literary successes, Claesson received the Selma Lagerlof Foundation's literature prize and received an honorary doctorate degree from Sweden's Uppsala University.

His son told The Local Claesson died last Friday in Stockholm.