My favorite childhoos author
Sunday, November 14th, 1907 in Vimmerby Sweden a girl was born by the name Astrid Ericsson. She would grow up to be known as Astrid Lindgren, one of Sweden’s most beloved authors, mostly known for her children’s books.
And to celebrate her birthday I wanted to dedicate an episode to her.
A bit about Astrid
As I said she was born on November 14th, 1907 on the farm Näs outside Vimmerby in Småland, Sweden. She died on the 28th of January 2002, in Stockholm, Sweden at the age of 95.
Astrid Lindgren has written 34 original chapter books and 41 picture books. Her books have sold 165 million copies and have been translated into over 100 languages, and many have been made into movies worldwide. She worked as a journalist and secretary before becoming a full-time author.
In 1944 she won second prize in a competition by Rabén& Sjögren ( a Swedish publishing company) with her novel Britt-Marie Lättar Sitt Hjärta (Britt-Marie Unberden Her Heart), and the year after she won first prize in the same competition with her chapter book Pippi Långstrump (Pippi Longstocking). From this moment on, she was one of the most appreciated authors in Sweden. Even though there has been some criticism and critique of her books and her main characters she has won a series of national and international prizes for her work. Which I will talk more about in the upcoming episode.
Some of my favorites
With the huge amount of books, and characters, that she brought to life with her books it is almost impossible to pick some favorites, but I will do my best. You have probably heard of Pippi Longstocking (Pippi Långstrump) this strangely dressed girl living alone with her horse and ape, with a suitcase full of gold and so strong that she can carry her horse. A definite favorite of mine, whit its humor and rebellious manner of Pippi herself. But these books have also been criticized for their racist content, which I will address in the upcoming podcast.
Another favorite is Emil i Lönneberga (Emil in the Soup Terrin) from 1963. Another non-conforming child who wanted to do what was right but always ended up doing something he shouldn’t and was punched by spending time in the carpenter’s shop where he carved his wooden people as he was reflecting on his mistakes.
But maybe my three most beloved books by Astrid fall within the folklore/fantasy realm with Mio, min Mio (1954; Mio, My Son), Bröderna Lejonhjärta (1973; The Brothers Lionheart), and Ronja Rövardotter (1981; Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter). Books that tap into feelings and hardship, about growing up and accepting difficulties in life, and of empowerment.
Especially The Brother’s Lionheart is close to my heart with its depiction of the fight between good and evil, courage and fear, and love and death.
Many of her books have been transformed into movies and stage plays.
Much more than an author
Throughout her life, she consistently opposed injustice and oppression. Her engagement in children’s rights issues was formed early on. An unbroken and consistent thread runs through Astrid Lindgren’s entire work; the fight for every child’s right to love and safety.
Astrid Lindgren also became one of the country’s most important opinion-makers and was part of the political debate in the late 70s and 80s in Sweden, both when it came to taxation policies and the nuclear power referendum.
And more
These are just a few of the things that will be a part of the next episode of A Swedish Fika. If you are interested you can find the podcast here A Swedish Fika or if you prefer the video version on YouTube
