People of the Dawn (HOLME TRILOGY, VOL 2)

Trälen Holme #2

by Jan Fridegård, Robert E. Bjork (Translation)

Book by Fridegard, Jan

Genres: Historical Fiction, Classics, Fiction, Historical

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

Johan Fridolf Fridegård, known as Jan Fridegård, originally Johansson and in youth called Fride Johansson, was a Swedish writer. In the Swedish literature Fridegård belonged to the so called proletarian authors, specifically (statarskolan). He is known for integrating social issues and conditions within his novels. His most prominent books are the self-biographical "Lars Hard" series as well as his Viking age trilogy. However, he was a very prolific author.

Fridegård kom från statarmiljö; den fräna självbiografiska romansviten om Lars Hård (1935–36) genomsyras av ett frigörelsepatos. Samma engagemang kännetecknar också trilogin om den upproriske trälen Holme, Trägudars land (1940), Gryningsfolket (1944) och Offerrök (1949).

Reviews

[Daniel Westman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Medan övriga karaktärer funderar på om de ska tillbe trägudarna eller Krist så struntar Holme högaktningsfullt i bägge. Han litar på sitt eget intellekt och tar sitt öde i sina egna händer. Fler borde vara som honom idag.

[elvira söderberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

sååå nära att dnf:a serien, men jag får kämpa mig igenom sista delen, de tar bara ett par dagar att läsa ut. språket höjde sig en nivå mot slutet, faktiskt. nu ska det bli (måttligt) spännande att veta hur allt slutar, men jag kan nog säga redan nu att jag mycket hellre rekommenderar Catharina Ingelmann-Sundbergs trilogi som börjar med Vikingablot. många liknande teman men bättre språk och fylligare karaktärer

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story of a former slave or thrall who is a powerful man who kept his freedom while others were trying to get him. Sort of like Spartacus somewhat. Also there are new Christians vs those who follow the old gods in Sweden.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thrilling story of the Swedish thrall Holme, fighting for freedom during the Viking Age. Not sure if I’ll ever find the finale of the trilogy, but I’ll keep hunting.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blew through this book.

I am losing patience with these. In the first book, I didn't like Ausi much. In this installation, it's evolved into full blown dislike and contempt. If everyone in Sweden was as stupid and helpless as she is made out to be, it's a wonder the Viking/thrall society didn't last longer than it did. Also, her religious zeal isn't winning her any friends. Do something for yourself, woman, instead of being helpless and dependent, since freedom is sort of the theme of the book. Live up to it! Maybe Fridegard thought only men are intelligent enough to get freedom by themselves.

Oh wait. I was wrong. The male thralls are similarly stupid and helpless. They are, on occasion, shown to have enough initiative to do the tasks necessary for daily survival. But not without a fair amount of teeth-gnashing and what-will-we-do-without-Holme-ing first.

I know Holme is supposed to be a Christ figure. But enough already. We get it. I do find it ironic and amusing that he's being set up as a Christ figure when he himself wants nothing at all to do with Christianity OR the Norse gods. Atheism gets shit done.

Essentially, the plot goes: freedom, thralldom, escape. Freedom, thralldom, escape but with added danger. No doubt Holme will, in the end, free everyone but die a cruel death, in keeping with his Christ-persona. Let's see in the third book, shall we?

[Gene · Rating 5 out of 5]

see my comments on Land of Wooden Gods