The works of Astrid Lindgren have been known to every reader in our country since childhood. First of all, a book about “The Kid and Carlson.” In addition to the story translated into Russian by L. Lungina, the Swedish writer created a number of wonderful children's works.
Astrid Lindgren: brief biographical information
The writer was born in 1907. Her parents had nothing to do with art or literature. They were peasants. The future writer became the second child in the family. She later called her childhood happy. The writer claimed that it was early years, spent in an atmosphere of love and understanding, served as a source for literary creativity. The works of Astrid Lindgren are imbued with kindness and wisdom.
Creative path
What works did Astrid Lindgren write? To answer this question in our country, every reader will name the above-mentioned book about the adventures of the Kid and Carlson or “Pippi Longstocking.” Most of them are not so well known outside their homeland. Few people in Russia know how many works Astrid Lindgren wrote.
"Pippi Longstocking" was created in 1945. By the way, during the war Lindgren wrote several kind and cautionary tales. And in 1945, the writer was offered the position of editor in a children's publishing house. Here she worked until the early seventies. At the same time, she combined work with literary creativity. The writer created a charming character who loves jam most of all in 1955. Two years later, Astrid Lindgren's work was translated into Russian.
Theatrical productions and film adaptations
Works by Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren (that's exactly what it sounds like full name writers) have inspired directors many times, and not only in Sweden. In 1969, the premiere of the play “Carlson” took place at the Stockholm theater. Since then, dramatizations based on the works of Astrid Lindgren, a list of which is presented below, have been staged in cities in Europe and the USA. In Sweden, the writer is known primarily for films and television series based on her books.
List of works for children
Astrid Lindgren has written books whose titles, when translated into Russian, read as follows:
- « Pippi settles in at Villa Chicken."
- "The famous detective Kalle Blumkvist."
- “We are all from Bullerby.”
- "Brothers Lionheart"
- "Kati in America."
- "Mirabel".
- “About Lotte from Loud Street.”
This is not a complete list. In total, the Swedish writer has created more than thirty works for young readers. Let's talk about some of them.
Book "Brothers Lionheart"
A book about two brave brothers, to whom so many unusual things happened that neither could be told in a fairy tale nor described with a pen. Jonathan and Karl, thirteen and nine years old, are ordinary boys, no different from their peers. But still, there is something unique in them, as in all Lindgren’s characters.
Little Karl is seriously ill, everyone around is sure that Miss Leyon will soon lose her son. She lost it. Just not Karl, but healthy, kind, beloved Jonathan, who showed so much hope. Karl soon died too. How does it feel for a poor mother to lose both her sons?
In real life, this would be the end of the story. But in Astrid Lindgren's fairy tale, everything is not so simple. The reader continues to watch Jonathan and Karl. Where? In Nangiyal. Few people have heard about this country. However, small Swedish children know everything about it, and are not at all afraid to go there. In Nangiyal, the brothers begin new life, full of fun and joy. However, evil does not sleep even in a fairyland. Gloomy events interrupt the peaceful existence of all residents of Nangiyala.
"Super detective Kalle Blomkvist"
Astrid Lindgren's book tells the story of how a little boy named Kalle Blomkvist from a little-known Swedish town dreams of becoming a famous detective. Like, for example, Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot. Together with his friends, he constantly gets into various troubles. Any difficult questions The little detectives manage to solve it. After all, Kalle knows all the spy tricks, and his faithful and devoted friends are always with him.
"Madiken"
This is a work by Astrid Lindgren about a mischievous girl who is impossible not to love. The book consists of two parts:
- "Madiken."
- "Madiken and Pims from Junibakken."
Each part contains nine to ten stories. From the story, the reader learns not only about the girl herself and her family, but also immerses herself in the atmosphere of the Swedish province, getting acquainted with the traditions and customs of this country.
"Katie in Paris"
The book is intended for middle and older children school age. Despite the fact that in the last part of the trilogy about Katya main character gets married and has a child, girls read the story with pleasure twelve to thirteen years. All events are described by the author with childish spontaneity and by no means a mature view of what is happening.
There is a lot of educational material in this work by Astrid Lindgren. Young readers will learn about the sights of Paris and the history of this city. Together with the heroes, they take car rides from Sweden through Denmark and Germany to France.
"Little Nils Carlson"
The name of this hero evokes associations with the name of everyone famous character. However, Nils Carlson does not live on the roof, but in the basement. The writer told in this book the story of little boy Bertile, whose parents work too much. He sees them only in the morning and evening.
One day, a child saw under his bed a tiny man who lived in a rat hole. This was Nils Carlson. He can talk, and he can also make Bertil as small as himself, and then turn him back into an ordinary boy. And this is where amazing adventures begin.
Bertil goes down the rat hole to visit his new friend. They have fun all day long, cleaning the house and doing other useful things. Even eating food has become exciting game. Now the boy Bertil is not at all bored, just like the Kid after meeting Carlson.
"Mirabel"
Astrid Lindgren wrote not only works of large forms. There are also short fairy tales in her work. "Mirabelle" is one of these. This work is a kind, sweet fairy tale for girls. According to reader reviews, this is an incredibly instructive and kind book.
The story is told in the first person - from the point of view of a girl who has an unusual doll named Mirabelle. This is a dynamic tale about the friendship of a child and a doll, about how they had fun.
"We are all from Bullerby"
This work is called the most good book Astrid Lindgren . Bullerby is a small Swedish village. There are only three houses here. It was in such a small settlement that the famous writer, creator of one of the most popular characters in the USSR, grew up. Her early memories form the basis of this book. The story is told from the perspective of a girl who has two brothers. Her peers live in another house. Ulle, the little resident of the third house, is the only child in the family. He has neither brother nor sister. Fortunately, there are true friends.
"Madiken"
This book by Astrid Lindgren tells about Madiken, a young resident of a small village. Events take place at the beginning of the last century. She lives with her parents, sister Lizabeth, a servant and her dog Sassy. The prototypes of some characters from A. Lindgren's stories are taken from life. Partly this book autobiographical.
Madiken is friends with the neighbor boy Abbe, who is already fifteen years old, and dreams of marrying him. Abbe's family is very poor, he needs to work and has no time to entertain little Madiken. The main character is only eight. The author draws readers' attention to Madiken's relationships with people living below the poverty line. An eight-year-old girl wonders: "Is poverty helpless?" .
"Pippi Longstocking"
The heroine of this work is well known to readers thanks to the Soviet film adaptation. Pippi is the most happy child in the world. She has her own live horse and a real monkey. The girl does not go to school, there are no prohibitions in her world. Pippi is very rich - she has a whole suitcase of money. She is also very generous - she constantly gives everyone gifts. The children are jealous of Pippi's life. And adults understand how deeply unhappy a child is who is left completely alone in this life so early, without a father or mother.
Astrid Lindgren has been a member of the Social Democratic Party all her life. She was characterized by a desire for equality and a caring attitude towards others. She was involved in social activities for many years. In her speeches Lindgren defended pacifistic convictions, has repeatedly spoken out against violent methods in raising children. The writer passed away in 2002.
The writer, who gave children the amazingly charming character Carlson and the cute extravagant Pippi Longstocking, became dear to all the children of the world. It’s hard to find a family where they haven’t read Astrid Lindgren’s kind and fascinating books. The Swedish writer, like no one else, unraveled the child’s soul and found a path to it. In simple words she outlined the main problems and fears of little people, reminding adults of what they once knew but forgot.
Childhood and youth
Astrid Anna Emilia Eriksson, this is the full name of the writer before her marriage, was born in November 1907 in Sweden, on the Nes farm. The future writer spent his childhood years on the farm estate. Closeness to nature, the measured age of the “horse and convertible” contributed to spiritual openness and development creativity young Swede.
Love and harmony reigned in the Ericsson house. Astrid's parents met at the market when her mother was 7 and her father 13 years old. Children's friendship grew into sympathy, and later into love. Samuel August and Hannah had four children: the first-born son Gunnar and three daughters, the eldest of whom was Astrid Anna Emilia.
Astrid Lindgren with her parents, brother and sisters The children were surrounded peasant life and pristine nature. The boys helped their parents with housework, and free time rushed around the outskirts of the farm in search of adventure. In the family, according to Astrid Lindgren, a surprisingly kind atmosphere reigned: adults did not hesitate to show warm feelings towards each other and children, which was rare in peasant families.
Little Astrid Lindgren loved listening to folklore - stories and legends that were often told to children on the farm. Astrid, who had not yet learned to read, first heard a “book” fairy tale at a friend’s house. Her mother read it to her children in the kitchen. The impressionable girl listened and became immersed in Magic world and took a long time to return to reality. Soon Lindgren learned to read and write, and reading became her favorite pastime forever. Already in elementary school, the future writer demonstrated literary abilities, for which she was jokingly called Selma Lagerlöf (the first Nobel laureate in literature).
After graduation high school A 16-year-old girl got a job as a junior reporter at a local periodical. 2 years later, pregnant married man Lindgren left Vimmerblue and went to the capital, wanting to get lost in a city of millions where no one knew her. In Stockholm, Astrid Lindgren trained as a secretary and worked at the Royal Automobile Club before the birth of her child.
Literature
After 5 years, Astrid Lindgren, now a married lady, became a housewife. In 1941, the family, which now had two children growing up, settled in an apartment in Stockholm, from the windows of which the picturesque Vasa Park was visible. This is where the woman wrote all her works. At first, Astrid Lindgren sharpened her pen while working as a secretary. Then she became interested in writing short fairy tales and short guides for family and children's magazines.
According to the storyteller, the first character in the children's adventure story was born thanks to little Karin. A daughter with pneumonia, accustomed to mother's fairy tales at night, asked Astrid to tell the story about Pippi Longstocking. The girl made up the name of the character. Lindgren fulfilled the baby's wish and composed a fairy tale. Her daughter liked it so much that her mother extended the continuation to dozens of other evenings.
At this time, Astrid Lindgren's thoughts were occupied by heated discussions about raising the younger generation. One part of society advocated respect for the child’s personality and the necessary freedom of action, the second – for classical, puritanical education and restriction of freedom. Astrid was on the side of the “liberals” in pedagogy, which dictated the character of her Pippi.
Each subsequent short story about a freedom-loving red-haired madwoman in multi-colored stockings demanded a continuation. In five years short stories"grew" into a story. When Astrid Lindgren's daughter turned 10, her mother gave her an anniversary gift: she illustrated a manuscript of several stories about Pippi and turned it into a book.
Lindgren took the handwritten duplicate with the adventures of the red-haired daredevil to the large Swedish publishing house Bonnierkoncernen. But the publisher was in no hurry to publish a book that went beyond the usual boundaries of children's literature. After thinking, Bonierconcern returned the manuscript to Astrid. The writer was depressed, but did not give up: she saw the impression the stories about Pippi made on her daughter, and she knew for sure that she would continue to write for children.
In 1944, a Swedish writer heard about a competition held by the newly founded publishing house Raben and Sjögren. The authors were given the task of writing a book for girls. Three best essays The publishers promised to publish it. Astrid Lindgren presented the story “Britt-Marie pours out her soul” to the jury and took second place. This is how her creative biography began.
The following year, Raben and Sjogren invited Astrid to work. Lindgren gladly took the chair of editor of children's literature and worked in this position until 1970, leaving it upon reaching retirement age.
In the same happy year for the writer, 1945, Raben and Sjögren published the first book about Pippi - “Pippi Settles in the Chicken Villa.” The young Swedes liked the story so much that it was immediately sold out. Soon the work was translated into dozens of languages and sold millions of copies around the world. In 1946 and 1948, children's audiences waited for continuations of the story.
In 1946, Astrid Lindgren gave young readers a story about the adventures of detective Kalle Blumkvist. In 1951, children read the second part of Kalle’s adventures, and 2 years later the final part of the trilogy, called “Kalle Blumkvist and Rasmus,” was published. Having invented a good detective, Lindgren offered an alternative to the thrillers that had become fashionable, to which the younger generation was also drawn.
In the mid-1950s, Astrid Lindgren presented readers with the first part of the trilogy “Mio, my Mio!” This is a fabulous and sad story about a boy who was left without parental warmth. There were many orphaned children after the war, and Astrid’s mother’s heart was concerned about their fate. With her writing, she gave such children hope and consolation, helped them cope with difficulties and instill faith in a happy tomorrow.
A year later, in 1955, the first book of the trilogy appeared about the “moderately well-fed” attic tenant Carlson and the sad Kid, a boy from an ordinary family, whom his busy parents cannot get around to. An infantile sweet lover with a propeller on his back flies in to entertain and console the Baby.
Illustration for Astrid Lindgren's fairy tale "The Kid and Carlson" The book was a resounding success, comparable to the adventures of Pippi. In 1962, the second part of the trilogy was released, and 6 years later the third. Translation fairy tale story Lilianna Lungina wrote about Malysh and Carlson for Russian readers. The first part appeared 2 years after publication in Sweden, the third - in 1974.
From 1963 to 1986, Astrid Lindgren wrote a series of 6 books for children about the little tomboy, stubborn and resourceful Emil Svenson. The 6-year-old prankster regularly gets into trouble, but he is incredibly smart and often suggests unexpected decisions to his father in the household and business.
Another bright work by Lindgren, beloved by millions of children, is the fantasy fairy tale “Roni, the Robber’s Daughter”, which appeared in the early 1980s. This is instructive and good story about children's wisdom that adults should learn from. Roni is the daughter of Ataman Mattis, who is at odds with and competes with the robber Borka, whose son Birk is growing up. The offspring of sworn enemies develop sympathy and become friends. And when their warring parents forbid them to be friends, they run away from them into the forest.
The works of the Swedish storyteller have been filmed dozens of times and staged on theatrical stages in Europe, America and Asia. The story about Blumkvist appeared on screens for the first time: the film premiered in 1947 during the Christmas holidays. Two years later, little TV viewers saw a film adaptation of Pippi’s adventures.
In the Soviet Union, Astrid Lindgren's work was widely known and loved. In 1976, the children of the USSR saw on the screens the film “The Adventures of Calle the Detective”, in 1978 – the film “Rasmus the Tramp”, 6 years later – “Pippi Longstocking” and “The Tricks of a Tomboy”. Cartoons about Carlson were released in 1968 and 1970.
Astrid Lindgren was showered with all sorts of awards during her lifetime. In 1958, she was awarded a medal, which is equivalent to the Nobel Prize in children's literature.
Personal life
Astrid Lindgren's first love turned out to be unhappy. Her lover, editor of Vimmerby magazine Axel Blumberg, was married. An 18-year-old journalist became pregnant by a man 30 years older when he was getting a divorce. And if at the trial they found out that Bloomberg had cheated on his wife Olivia, his bank account would be empty. Therefore, pregnant Astrid left the city.
In Denmark, it was allowed to keep the name of the biological father a secret, so the young woman gave birth to a boy, Lars, in Copenhagen. Until the age of 5, Lars was raised in the family of adoptive parents, the Stevensons.
In Stockholm, Astrid met Nils Sture Lindgren. After the wedding in 1931, Lindgren took her son, and 3 years later gave birth to a daughter, Karin. Nils adopted Lars and gave him his last name. The couple lived in happy marriage 21 years old.
Death
In 1952, the writer's husband died. In 1961, my mother passed away, and 8 years later my father passed away. 1974 turned out to be tragic for Astrid: her brother and childhood friends left forever. And real grief befell the woman in 1986, when her son died.
Lindgren often thought about the mystery of leaving for another world, but, unlike her Lutheran parents, who believed in eternal life, Astrid was a supporter of agnosticism. Astrid Lindgren died in January 2002 at the ripe old age of 94.
Memory
- In the year of Astrid Lindgren's death, the Swedish government established a prize in memory of the famous writer in the amount of 5 million crowns, which is awarded every year to the best children's writer. In 2016, it was awarded to Briton Meg Rosoff.
- In the spring of 2015, the Swedish bank issued new series 20-krona banknotes featuring Astrid Lindgren.
- The Swedes carefully protect the apartment in Stockholm where the famous writer lived and died for 60 years. The home became a museum in the winter of 2015, when Sweden celebrated Astrid Lindgren's 108th birthday.
- The apartment-museum contains a souvenir dish, which was presented to Astrid in 1997.
Bibliography
- 1945 – “Pippi moves into the villa “Chicken””
- 1946 – “Pippi hits the road”
- 1948 – “Pippi in the Land of Merry”
- 1946 – “The famous detective Kalle Blumkvist”
- 1951 – “The famous detective Kalle Blumkvist takes risks”
- 1953 – “Kalle Blumkvist and Rasmus”
- 1947 – “We are all from Bullerby”
- 1949 – “Again about the children from Bullerby”
- 1955 – “The Kid and Carlson, who lives on the roof”
- 1962 – “Carlson, who lives on the roof, has arrived again”
- 1968 – “Carlson, who lives on the roof, plays pranks again”
- 1963 – “Emil from Lenneberga”
- 1966 – “New tricks of Emil from Lenneberga”
- 1954 – “Mio, my Mio”
- 1981 – “Roni, the Robber’s Daughter”
Astrid Lindgren's books are so loved by Russian-speaking readers not only because of the author's literary talent, but also thanks to the excellent translations of Liliya Lungina. Of course, many translators translated Lindgren’s books into Russian, but not all publications were accepted by our readers. This review presents 10 famous heroes Astrid Lindgren in the best (according to readers) translations.
"Little Nils Carlson" translation by L. Braude, E. Solovyov(5-7 years)
It’s sad if you don’t have a sister or brother and you’re home alone all day long, with no one to talk to, let alone play with. That's when the most unusual friends appear in your life: a little brownie no bigger than a finger, a little elf from an apple orchard, a wooden cuckoo from wall clock, capable of singing and cheering, and even a talking doll that grew up in a bed of grain...
"Emil from Lenneberga" Translation by L. LUNGINA(5-10 years)
The funny story about Emil from Lönneberga, which was written by the wonderful Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren and brilliantly retold into Russian by Lilianna Lungina, was loved by both adults and children all over the planet. This curly-haired boy is a terrible mischief-maker; he won’t live a day without getting into mischief. Well, who would even think of chasing a cat to check if it jumps well?! Or put a tureen on yourself? Or set fire to the feather on the pastor's hat? Or caught in a rat trap own father, and feed the pig drunken cherries?
Recommended for all children from 5 years old to develop a great sense of humor!
"The Kid and Carlson" Translation by L. LUNGINA!(6-12 years old)
Who is the most charming, most handsome, most intelligent and moderately well-fed man in the prime of his life? Of course, Carlson, a plump, funny little man with a motor on his back!
Children all over the world know and love him. For his restless disposition, irrepressible imagination and desire to play pranks. But most of all, perhaps, the Kid loves Carlson, because together they are never bored, because the main thing for Carlson is: “It needs to be fun and funny, otherwise I don’t play.” The famous trilogy includes the stories: “The Kid and Carlson, who lives on the roof”, “Carlson, who lives on the roof, has arrived again”, “Carlson, who lives on the roof, plays pranks again”
"Pippi Longstocking" Translation by L. LUNGINA(6-12 years old)
Lindgren wrote 3 stories about Pippi: “Pippi settles in the villa “Chicken”, “Pippi is getting ready for the journey”, “Pippi in the land of Merry” (you need to read them in that order) And also short fairy tales: “Pippi Longstocking in the park where -the hops are growing" and "Robbing the Christmas Tree, or Grab What You Want from Pippi Longstocking." We recommend reading funny stories about Pippi translated by L. Lungina ( short stories is only in the translation by L. Braud), and if illustrations are important to a child, pay attention to the mischievous red-haired girl performed by N. Bugoslavskaya N. or L. Tokmakov
"Roni is the daughter of a robber" Translation by L. LUNGINA(6-12 years old)
A fairy tale story by Astrid Lindgren about a girl Roni, the daughter of the most powerful robber chieftain of all the forests and mountains, and about an unknown world in which everything is unusual, mysterious and strange. It's also about adventure, friendship and love. Little brave Roni and her friend Birk put an end to the centuries-old feud between two clans of robbers, moreover, they are not going to be robbers at all.
"Children from Bullerby" trans. L.GORLINA(6-12 years old)
The book that Astrid Lindgren considered her main book. This is, in fact, a book about her childhood. Bullerby is the best place on Earth, according to the children who live there, and Astrid Lindgren herself, whose childhood was spent in the same small village in southern Sweden.
And although there are only six children in Bullerby, they are never bored, just as the great writer was never bored, because it was there that her worldview was formed. With her usual brilliance and humor, she describes them carefree childhood, in which there is a place and a beautiful family holidays, and pranks, and joys, and fleeting sorrows.
"Madiken" Trans. I. STREBLOVA(6-10 years)
Labyrinth (click on the picture!)
MY-SHOP
OZONE
Madiken lives in a big red house near a river. Best place“You can’t find anything better than this in the whole world,” she believes. Also living there are mom and dad, assistant Alva and little Pims, who follows her older sister everywhere. Where one goes, there goes the other. They always have fun together. And how could it be otherwise! After all, there are so many interesting things here: you can swim, swing on a swing, play croquet, water the garden and give milk to a hedgehog!
"Mio, my Mio!" Translation by I. Tokmakova or L. Braude(7-10 years)
Once upon a time there lived in Stockholm a nine-year-old orphan boy, Bu Vilhelm Olsson (or simply Bosse). Life with his adoptive parents was not very fun, because they couldn’t stand boys. If only Bosse had a father like his friend Benki! But one day a golden apple falls into the boy’s hands, and his life changes, as if by magic. It turns out that Bosse is not Bosse at all, but Prince Mio! And him real home not in Stockholm, but in the wonderful Far Country, ruled by his father the king. It’s as if Mio finds himself in a fairy tale, where his faithful friend Yum-Yum, the snow-white horse Miramis, a magic well and his father’s garden are waiting for him, full of roses. Only this fairy tale is at times sad, and sometimes scary - too much grief was caused to the Far Country by the cruel knight Kato, who lives beyond the Deep Forest. And the young Prince Mio is destined to fight him...
"Kalle Blumkvist" trans. N. Gorodinskoy-Wallenius.(8-13 years old)
Detective trilogy about young detective Kalle contains the stories: “The famous detective Kalle Blumkvist plays,” “The famous detective Kalle Blumkvist takes risks,” “Kalle Blumkvist and Rasmus.” Released only in translation by N. Gorodinskaya-Wallenius.
Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren (1907-2002) was a Swedish writer who wrote mainly stories for children. She is known and loved all over the world thanks to the works of Pippi Long stocking" and "Carlson, who lives on the roof." Readers from countries former USSR were able to enjoy reading these books thanks to the translation by Lilianna Lungina. Astrid Eriksson (surname at birth) was born on November 14, 1907 in the Swedish province of Småland.
Happy childhood
The future writer was born into a family of poor farmers. Her father's name was Samuel August Eriksson and her mother was Hanna Jonsson. The girl heard repeatedly romantic story their parents: they were friends since childhood and only many years later they realized their feelings for each other. After 17 years of dating, they got married; after the wedding, the newlyweds settled in a pastoral estate on the outskirts of Vimmerby.
Anna Emilia grew up in big family, she had an older brother Gunnar and two little sisters. Their names were Stina and Ingegerd. The writer recalled her childhood with a smile and called it “the century of the horse and the convertible.” Parents constantly told their children fascinating fairy tales and taught them a love of nature. Astrid started reading at a young age thanks to her friend Christine.
Many of Lindgren's stories and characters originate from her childhood. The delightful nature of the Nes farm forever left its mark on the girl’s worldview. Green hills, lakes with violets, ancient ruins and forest landscapes awakened her worldview and made her believe in fairy tales even at a relatively adult age. Astrid loved to play with her children, she climbed trees with them, ran around the park, getting incredible pleasure from it.
First works
Having barely learned to read and write, the girl began writing stories. Her compositions were successful, already in primary class The first story, “Life on Our Estate,” was published. Readers called her the Selma Lagerlöf of Wimmerbün, but Anna did not take such a serious comparison seriously and considered it undeserved.
At the age of 16, after graduating from school, Ericsson got a job as a reporter for a local newspaper. At the same time, she received training as a stenographer. A year later, the girl cut her hair, then became pregnant without being married. Residents of the small town negatively perceived Astrid's impudent behavior, because of this, she already moved to Stockholm in 1926. The born son had to be given to a foster family, because the writer was too poor and could not raise him.
After moving to the capital, the girl completed secretarial courses. She changed several different jobs, eventually landing a job at the Royal Motor Society. It was there that the writer met Sture Lindgren, her future husband. In April 1931 they got married, and three years later their daughter Karin was born. After her birth, Astrid left her job, devoting herself household. She was also able to pick up her son Lars from foster care.
Gift for daughter
Despite her married status, the writer did not want to give up what she loved. From time to time she composed fairy tales for family magazines and was published in newspapers and advent calendars. Lindgren also edits books at home and acts as a secretary. Because of her lively and restless character, the woman never thought that she could become a full-fledged writer.
In 1944, Karin fell ill due to pneumonia. On the long, cold Stockholm nights, her mother sat next to her bed, telling stories. One day a girl asked to compose a fairy tale about Pippi Longstocking. Astrid began to come up with it on the fly, starting from unusual name heroines. For several months, the woman told her daughter about the exciting adventures of Pippi and her friends.
In March 1944, the writer broke her leg. She lay in bed for weeks, writing down stories about the red-haired girl with pigtails. Later, she gave Karin a book for her birthday, which included these stories. The author also sent a manuscript with illustrations to the Bonier publishing house, but it was refused publication.
In the same year, Astrid participates in the competition for best book for girls, conducted by the publishing house "Raben and Sjögren". Thanks to this, she receives a prize for the story “Britt-Marie pours out her soul” and a publishing contract. In 1945, it was this publishing house that published a book about Pippi Longstocking. The writer gets a job there as an editor of children's literature, where she remained until retirement. In 1952, Sture, the writer’s husband, died. Until the end of her days, she did not marry, content with the company of her children and grandchildren.
Creative activity
In 1940-1950 Lindgren writes several books at once, each of which becomes incredibly popular among readers. In 1946, a story about detective Kalla Blumkvist appeared, with its help the writer tried to replace thrillers with an abundance of violence. In 1954, the writer touches on the problem of lonely children in the fairy tale “Mio, my Mio.”
Karin gave her mother an idea for another piece. She once shared with the writer a story about a small, plump man who flies into the room when a girl is alone. He was cheerful, but hid behind the picture as soon as he saw the adults. This is how a book about Carlson living on the roof appeared. In the original version of the story, the man's name was Liljem Kvarsten.
In 1968, the premiere of a production about Carlson took place at the Moscow Theater of Satire. At the same time, cartoons about a funny character appeared on television screens. In 1969 the Royal Theatre of Drama Stockholm launches its dramatization immortal work Lindgren, although this was atypical for that time. After the tremendous success of the Swedish play, theaters around the world began to create their own versions of Carlson.
The writer was known all over the world for productions based on her books, but in her native Sweden, films and television series were popular. Back in 1947, a film adaptation of the story about Calla Blumkvist premiered on Christmas Day. Two years later, the first film about Pippi Longstocking could be seen on the screens; subsequently, three more films were released. Over the course of 30 years, director Ulle Helbum created 17 films based on the plots of Lindgren's books.
Social activity
In 1976, Astrid wrote an open letter tax authorities. This tale was called “Pomperipossa from Monismania”, where the writer revealed the barbaric policies of the ruling party. She always paid her taxes regularly, but she was not going to put up with injustice when she was asked to give 102% of her income. After its publication on the front page of the Expressen newspaper, the fairy tale caused a stir, and as a result, the law was changed in favor of payers.
It was thanks to Lindgren that Sweden became the first country to legally prohibit violence against children. The woman has always fought for the rights of the weak and defenseless; in the 70s she launched a huge campaign against cruelty to animals. As a result, the Lindgren Law was adopted in 1988. The writer was not completely satisfied, since the law contained vague wording and the penalties were too lenient.
The writer also adhered to her own point of view about education. She sought to perceive each child as an individual with his own emotions and problems. The woman was interested in psychology and tried to describe all situations from the point of view of children.
It is noteworthy that the writer never planned to make money from her work. First of all, she wrote for herself, “to entertain her inner child.” The woman refused on principle to write anything for adults; she wanted to preserve her spontaneity and simplicity of storytelling. With her creativity, Astrid dreamed of comforting children and helping them cope with unpleasant and painful situations.
Other achievements of the writer
In 1957, Lindgren received the Literary Achievement Award, becoming the first children's writer to receive this award. After that, she was repeatedly singled out, but most of all the woman valued two medals from G.K. Andersen, awarded to her in 1958 and 1986. Astrid was recognized as the most widely read author, and a monument in her honor still stands in the center of Stockholm. In the 1950-1960s, the woman regularly appeared on talk shows on radio and television.
In 1997, the writer became Person of the Year in Sweden, although she was extremely ironic about this award. All her friends died, and her son Lars died in 1986. Astrid was left alone, she saw and heard poorly, but tried to lead an active lifestyle. Every year Lindgren traveled abroad with her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, continued to give interviews, and answered letters from fans. She helped people not only morally, but also financially.
The woman never wanted the usual dull life of pensioners, preferring to enjoy last days allocated to her. On January 28, 2002, the writer died. Her candidacy was nominated for the world Nobel Prize posthumously.
In total, during her life, Astrid wrote more than 80 works of different genres, her books were translated into 91 languages. She dedicated one story to the story of her parents’ acquaintance and love, and autobiographical essays were also published. But most of the stories were addressed to young readers, since the writer considered all people to some extent children.
Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren (née Eriksson, November 14, 1907, Vimmerby, Sweden - January 28, 2002, Stockholm, Sweden) - Swedish writer, author of several international famous books for children, including “Carlson Who Lives on the Roof” and the tetralogy about Pippi Longstocking. In Russian, her books became known and very popular thanks to the translation by Lilianna Lungina.
After marriage, Astrid Lindgren decided to become a housewife in order to devote herself entirely to caring for her daughter Karin.
According to Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking (1945) was born primarily thanks to her daughter Karin. In 1941, she fell ill with pneumonia, and every evening Astrid told her all sorts of stories before bed. One day a girl ordered a story about Pippi Longstocking - she made up this name right there on the spot. So Astrid Lindgren began to write a story about a girl who does not obey any conditions. Since Astrid was then advocating a new and hotly debated idea of upbringing based on child psychology, challenging conventions seemed like an interesting thought experiment to her.
In 1945, Astrid Lindgren was offered the position of editor of children's literature at the publishing house Raben and Sjögren. She accepted the offer and worked in one place until 1970, when she officially retired. All her books were published by the same publishing house. Despite being extremely busy and combining editorial work with household responsibilities and writing, Astrid turned out to be a prolific writer: if you count picture books, a total of about eighty works came from her pen.
Astrid Lindgren was an extraordinarily versatile author, willing to experiment in a variety of genres.
In 1946, she published her first story about detective Kalle Blumkvist, thanks to which she won first prize in a literary competition.
In 1954, Astrid Lindgren composed the first of her three fairy tales- “Mio, my Mio!” This is the story of Boo Vilhelm Ohlsson, the unloved and neglected son of his adoptive parents.
In the next trilogy - “The Kid and Carlson, Who Lives on the Roof” - the fantasy hero of a non-evil sort again acts. This “moderately well-fed”, infantile, greedy, boastful, pouting, self-pitying, self-centered, although not without charm, little man lives on the roof of the apartment building where the Kid lives. As a half-adult friend of the Kid from a half-fairytale reality, he is a much less wonderful image of childhood than the unpredictable and carefree Pippi.