Astrid Lingren - Fantasy and Magical realism

[Thadlerian]

I was astonished after doing a search for Astrid Lindgren on these forums, I found no entries except the one I made on my own. Surely a lot of people here must have read any of her magnificent fantasy/magical realist stories?

Anyway, for those who haven't...
Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) was a Swedish writer of children's literature. (I've put this thread in the general Book Discussions, as I identify the Young Adult Fiction room as adolescent Fantasy/SF, and Lindgren aims at pre-adolescent.) She generally wrote a lot of "ordinary" fiction, about growing up in various parts of Sweden, at various times. As mentioned, her books are primarily meant for children, but many, especially the later Fantasy, work with more mature themes and on a more emotional basis than any "adult" Fantasy that I've read.

But the books that made her famous internationally fit into the genres Magical Realism and Fantasy:

Karlson-on-the-Roof (MR) (1955)
A book series about a boy living in a city (around the 1950s, or so), and his secret friend, Karlson, who has a propeller on the back and lives on the roof. The books are generally humourous, but with some statements about manners and friendship.

Pippi Longstockings (MR) (1945)
Another book series, perhaps her most famous. We get to know a young, eccentric, red-haired girl through the orderly and well-mannered protagonists. Pippi Longstockings, at 10 years, is not just mysteriously strong (both physically powerful and mentally independent), but also very rich and kind.

Mio My Mio (F) (1954)
Epic fantasy this time. The background story is a common one: The protagonist (Bo Vilhelm Olsson) lives in an everyday world where he feels out of place and unhappy. And then one day a spirit transports him to an alternative universe, where it turns out he has a family waiting for him. He then has to set out on a quest to defeat the evil of that land.

The Brothers Lionheart (F) (1973)
Much more mature and emotional than Mio, this high fantasy caused much controversy at its publication. Two brothers die at young age (a very strong passage) and come to an afterlife world called Nagijala. Of course, that place is not all that much of a paradise as it appears at first. There is both an evil overlord and a dragon, and the setting is much reminiscent of the ordinary fantasy medieval.

Ronia the Robber's Daughter (F) (1981)
This is the book I consider to be the masterpiece, not only of Lindgren's literature, but of Fantasy in general as well. Everyone, no matter what age, should read this book! It tells the story of Ronia, her friendship with the rival band leader's son, Birk, and the ensuing conflict with her father. It is a story about friendship and love, but also rebellion and inevitable change. I consider this book the very anti-thesis to both traditional and modern fantasy works of glacial pacing/length, artificial emotion and a reactionary/conservative agenda.

This thread is for the discussion of any of Astrid Lindgren's works, not just these five.

[rune]

Id not hear of this author, but that's not surprising as I tend to read more recent authors

[Teresa Edgerton]

I've read all (I think) of the Pippi Longstocking books, although not very recently.

As for her other books, I don't believe I've ever come across them. Do you know if they have been translated into English, Thadlerian?

Here in American, as you may know, most people are pretty pathetic when it comes to learning foreign languages, and so we have to rely on translations.

[nixie]

I've only ever heard of the Pippi Longstockings books, there's also a cartoon series based on them

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Kelpie

I've read all (I think) of the Pippi Longstocking books, although not very recently.
As for her other books, I don't believe I've ever come across them. Do you know if they have been translated into English, Thadlerian?

Well I know of Astrid Lindgren but never read the Pippin Longstocking books although they're certainly well known in this country too. Of the other books I read The Brothers Lionheart and Ronia the Robber's Daughter. I would classify these books as more YA than adult but it's certainly true they deal with several adult themes. I quite liked the books when I read them as a teenager but personally didn't think them anything remarkable or outstanding looking back now through the lens of a more cynical and perhaps slightly jaded adult fantasy fan. However they certainly had for me a certain emotional honesty to them and the characters were atypical in their depiction, so I'd say they're a significant series in fact probably classics from the perspective of a YA audience.

Now to answer your query all the books listed have been translated into English. Puffin books have published copies of several of these along with a newer publication series by Purple House Press (?) Ronia the Robber's Daughter was made into a film but for some reason I'm not aware of was never released for the US market.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Hmm, looking up some of those titles at Amazon, I realize that I've actually seen Ronia, the Robber's Daughter in a bookstore quite recently. I recognize the cover art.

I think it was at Half-Price Books ( they sell used books and remaindered books), so I may have missed out on a good thing.

[Jay]

The Brothers Lionheart

Whoa! I remember out teacher reading that to my class in pre-school durng our nap time.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Jay

Whoa! I remember out teacher reading that to my class in pre-school durng our nap time.

Meannig good, bad, indifferent or too far back to remember...

[StevenSavile]

See you in Nangiyala!

Brothers Lionheart is a classic children's story with a very dark heart. I've lived in Sweden getting on for 10 years now, and was actually married inside the 'world' they made for Astrid Lindgren in Stockholm... It's not an easy story for kids but equally it isn't truly satisfying for adult readers. It's one to read at night to your nine or ten year olds...