by Astrid Lindgren
This charming story is of an outlaw family of thieves, living in a forest. Ronia, the key character doesn\’t realize at first that her family\’s means of living is morally wrong. She befriends a boy from an enemy group of robbers. Together they explore the forest, deliberately face their fears, and learn great lessons of love, trust and forgiveness. Full of strong emotions, very realistic characters, fantastic creatures and lots of adventure, Ronia, the Robber\’s Daughter was a really enjoyable read. In some ways it felt to me rather like a meeting of Peter Pan and Robin Hood. There\’s also a sense of the Romeo and Juliet story, because of the boy/girl friendship from rival, feuding families.
If I had come across this book as a kid, I\’m sure I would have loved it. It\’s one I want to make sure to read to my own daughter someday. I think this book would especially appeal to young girls because it features a young girl who is admirably brave and resourceful, yet has her own human faults as well. Ronia is one of the best young female protagonists I\’ve read of. Much bolder than Heidi and not nearly as silly as Pippi Longstocking.
Rating: 4/5 176 pages, 1985
6 Responses
Holy crap! I\’m reading this book right now. In Norwegian. It may take me awhile, but I\’ll come back and read your review when I\’ve finished.By the way, I found your blog on blogcatalog.com, and since I see you\’re into writing, I wanted to let you know about a new e-zine that me and a few writer friends are putting together.It\’s called The Oddville Press.You should check us out if you\’re interested–or better yet, submit something!Thanks a bunch! And I still think it\’s creepy that you just reviewed the very book I\’m reading. Really.
This book sounds absolutely delightful. I\’m putting it on my list.
Oh she is fiesty looking! 🙂 Sounds likes a lot of fun. I still have a stack of my favorite childhood books that I hope to one day pass down–I may have to add this to the stack.
Hey, I finally finished it. You\’re absolutely right–it was such a cute book! Ronia was such a hot-headed little rascal, but she had such a big heart. It was wonderful.I wonder if I might ask you a question, though. Since I read it in Norwegian and since my Norwegian isn\’t exactly up to par, what was the English word for the bird-like things that Ronia and Birk were afraid of?I thought of them as harpies. Is that what they were?
Steph- I\’m glad you liked it! It\’s actually been several years since I read it, but yes, I believe they were called harpies.
Sounds like a great book, I will have to look for it for my daughter. Like you, I am sure I would have liked this when I was growing up! And yes, not as silly as Pippi….! Thanks for bringing it to our attention.