The Emigrants

The Emigrant Novels : Book 1

By: Vilhelm Moberg, Gustaf Lannestock (Transcribed by)

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Paperback | 15 September 1995

At a Glance

Paperback
400 Pages

Edition Type
New edition

Dimensions(cm)
20.96 x 14.61 x 2.54

Paperback

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Considered one of Sweden's greatest 20th-century writers, Vilhelm Moberg created the characters Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson to portray the joys and tragedies of daily life for early Swedish immigrants in America. His consistently faithful depiction of these humble people's lives is a major strength of the Emigrant Novels.

Moberg's extensive research in the papers of Swedish emigrants in archival collections enabled him to incorporate many details of pioneer life. First published between 1949 and 1959 in Swedish, these four books were considered a single work by Moberg, who intended that they be read as documentary novels. These reprint editions contain introductions written by Roger McKnight of Gustavus Adolphus College, and they restore Moberg's bibliography not included in earlier English editions.

The first book in the series, The Emigrants introduces Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson, their three young children, and eleven others who make up a resolute party of Swedes fleeing the poverty, religious persecution, and social oppression of Smaland in 1850.

The other books in the series-Unto a Good Land (I), Unto a Good Land (II), and The Last Letter Home (IV)-are also available from the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Industry Reviews

A Swedish saga of the migration to "N. America" of a small group of peasants from Ljuder Parish in the 19th century which is authentic in character, determined in detail, and patient in its portrayal of the simple stoicism of these people. Stressed here are the social and economic drives behind the migration; for Karl Oskar Nilsson, whose inherited land is heavily mortgaged, there is the promise of plenty; for Robert, his much younger brother, sent out as a bonded farmhand, there is the resentment of servitude; for Daniel, a minister, there is the hope of religious tolerance and freedom of faith; for Ulrika, the "Glad One" - a whore, escape; etc. etc. And in the crossing to the new country they face not only lice and seasickness, but also scurvy from which several of this small company are to die before they reach the other side. The first volume of a proposed trilogy, this is true to its period and its people, if somewhat deliberate in its handling. (Kirkus Reviews)

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