Serious Astrid Lingren "Ronia, the Robber's Daughter”

 Lingren-Ronia, the Robber's Daughter

Good books for girls age 10.

   

The name of Astrid Lindgren is now known all over the world, it is the author of numerous children's books on which grew several generations of children. Most of the works of the Swedish writer are easy, fun and imbued with humor. The characters of Lindgren joke even in tense dramatic moments and cope with difficulties fast enough.

However, there is a book of Astrid Lindgren that stands out strongly by its seriousness and even some tragic nature; it is "Ronia, Robber's Daughter". The book was released in 1981 in Swedish language followed by a film of Swedish production in 1984.

In contrast to the well-known "Carlsson on the Roof" and "Pippi Longstocking" "Ronia, Robber's Daughter" is quite a complex book, evoking strong "adult" emotions such as sadness, sometimes almost to tears. Even the comic characters of the book emphasize the seriousness of events.

Ronia is born during a terrible night storm in the clan of robbers; she is the daughter of the gang’s chieftain. From her birth, all robbers love and pamper Ronia, she is especially worshiped by her father. The development of her character goes throughout the story. In the first part of the book Ronia is just a small brave Amazonian, wandering alone in the castle of her father. After meeting with Birk the girl learns to be a friend and a sister, she thinks about what is happening around and why Birk’s and her families are enemies. Her thoughts, adventures and unfortunate events lead Ronia to the question - is it a good to be a robber?
It is not by accident Ronia and Birk are sometimes compared to Romeo and Juliet. The story of robbers’ children is in common with Shakespeare's tragedy because of love. In case of "Ronia, Robber's Daughter” it is a children’s love, which makes it no less real, a love between a brother and a sister being born out of affection and friendship. Their love is tragic due to the same reason as in “Romeo and Juliet”, which is the enmity of their parents. However, the end of Ronia and Birk is not at all that bad, even if they have to go
through a lot grief.