The Emigrants (novels)
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| The Emigrants | |
| Author | Vilhelm Moberg |
|---|---|
| Original title | Utvandrarna |
| Translator | Gustaf Lannestock |
| Country | Sweden |
| Language | Swedish |
| Genre(s) | Historic drama |
| Publisher | Bonniers (Swedish edition) |
| Publication date | 1949, 1952, 1956, 1959 |
| Published in English |
1951, 1954, 1961, 1961 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 1780 (in total, Swedish edition) |
The Emigrants is the collective name of a four novel suite by the Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg:
- The Emigrants (1949)
- Unto a Good Land (1952)
- The Settlers (1956)
- The Last Letter Home (1959)
The Swedish titles are: Utvandrarna, Invandrarna, Nybyggarna and Sista brevet till Sverige. All books have been translated to English. The novels are generally considered to be among the best pieces of Swedish literature.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
- For longer descriptions, see the individual pages of each novel.
The novel-series describes the long and strenuous journey for a group of people in Småland, Sweden as they emigrate to Minnesota, United States, where they settle during the Swedish emigration to North America around the 1850s.
[edit] Recognition
The novels have to date been sold in nearly two million copies in Sweden and have been translated into more than twenty languages.[1]
The reception was not all positive, though. At the time of their releases, the novels were criticised because of their use of foul language.
[edit] Honours
- The series was in a poll conducted by Biblioteket i fokus in 1997 voted as the best Swedish book of the 20th century by 27,000 people.[2]
- The series was in a poll conducted by Sveriges television in 1998 voted as the most important Swedish book of all time by 17,000 people.[3]
[edit] Adaptations
Two movies based on the books have been released:
- The Emigrants, a 1971 adaption by Jan Troell, based on the first two novels.
- The New Land, a 1972 sequel to the first film, based on the last two novels.
Additionally, a musical by former ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, based on the four novels, was produced in the 90s: Kristina från Duvemåla. It grew to become a great success in Sweden.
[edit] References
- ^ Moberg biography by JoAnn Hanson-Stone at the Swedish Emigrant Institute.
- ^ Results of the poll provided by Project Runeberg
- ^ Results of the poll provided by Projekt Runeberg
| The Emigrants by Vilhelm Moberg | |
| Novels: The Emigrants | Unto a Good Land | The Settlers | The Last Letter Home | |
| Films: The Emigrants | The New Land Musical: Kristina från Duvemåla | |
