Emil & the Great Escape

by Astrid Lindgren, Tony Ross (Illustrator)

This is a collection of charming tales about Emil, the brother who doesn't mean to be bad. It's just that trouble - and fun - follow him wherever he goes."

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Classics, Swedish Literature

86 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2008

About the author

Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren, née Ericsson, (1907 - 2002) was a Swedish children's book author and screenwriter, whose many titles were translated into 85 languages and published in more than 100 countries. She has sold roughly 165 million copies worldwide. Today, she is most remembered for writing the Pippi Longstocking books, as well as the Karlsson-on-the-Roof book series.

Awards:
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (1958)

Reviews

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood favorite. Still funny.

But I do think now that Emil was often misunderstood, especially by his dad. Emil is a smart, kind boy with excellent entrepreneurial skills, just lacking in foresight, that's why he gets himself into so much trouble. I believe, if he were a real boy and lived in the now, he'd be a millionaire by the age of 16.

I am going to search for some good paper copies of this book to read to my son. I am sure he will appreciate Emil's adventures when he is a little older. (Why are books by Astrid Lindgren not more popular in America BTW?)

[Jenny Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids loved this book- especially my 7 year old. He doesn't tend to like books about children who set out to be mean or horrible,in fact these type of characters often upset my kids (unless they are just messy/smelly- that's ok) so Emil's brand of being 'naughty' by accident is perfect for him. Even when Emil does hoist his little sister up the flagpole he does so because she wants to look at the next town and she's very happy about this- it's his parents who aren't! It is quite archaic in parts as it describes rural Swedish life at the beginning of the 20th century but to be honest this hasn't bothered either of my listeners much as the action centers on Emil and his exploits and that is what interests them. We have all three books in this series so are looking forward to enjoying all three. If you like this try Lindgren's Lotta books as well for younger children and of course the books about Pippi Longstocking later on.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first of the Emil stories and I now want to rush into primary schools and give them to teachers to read to their classes - so much fun, but also real substance. Wonderful storyline too about a boy who gives everyone so much trouble, and yet, and yet, makes good in the end.

[Noora Alsuwaidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book for any young reader. Emil the naughty boy, very naughty boy who you would love him in spite of his his naughtiness. A story filled with children innocence is what every child book shelves need.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see how young boys would find this a great read but it isn't my cup of tea.

[Josephine Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it because Emil is funny but mischievous.

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all loved this book as a family read-aloud; lots of giggling at Emil’s well intentioned exploits which alway go slightly wrong. Looking forward to getting hold of the next in the series.

[Tim Roast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read Astrid Lingren books before and loved them. “Emil and the great escape” is more of a short story collection than a novel, and features 5-year-old Emil of Lönneberga and three stories featuring great escapes, of sorts. It was originally published in English in 1970 so is an original Astrid Lindgren story, and not a ghost-writer using the name (although it is of course a translation from the original Swedish).

Emil lives on a farm with his father Anton, mother Alma, his little sister Ida, the farm lad Alfred and the maidservant Lina. Emil is a bit of a “scamp” and always gets up to mischief. But it is not a mean type of mischief like maybe in Horrid Henry. It is more of an innocent type of mischief caused by a willingness to do things that maybe he shouldn’t, but he doesn’t know that. The three short stories see him get his head stuck in a soup tureen (and have a great escape from it), see him hoist his sister up a flagpole leading to him being confined to the tool shed (and have a great escape from it) and see him perform a great escape from the farm to follow his parents to have a spree on Hultsfred Plain.

There are funny bits in the stories and they are nice, quaint stories of country-life in the old days, and of a little boy learning about life. Some readers of today might think the stories are old-fashioned in places, with tureens and horses and carts, but I enjoyed them very much.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another short children’s read at just over a hundred pages. It is all about a little boy called Emil. Now Emil is a very naughty, mischievous boy. Within this book are three days/three stories of just how naughty Emil really is.
Now I’m a 26 year old adult and even parts of this made me chuckle. So it will be a hit for children. However they may get some cheeky ideas themselves from this book. There is suppose to be a whole series on this little man but this is the only one I have read and it read perfectly fine as a Standalone. A well deserved four stars from me.

[Charlie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read the first Emil book and really enjoyed it. It was quite short, so I would’ve liked a little more time with the characters but that just means I’ll have to read the sequel! I really liked the episodic format, and Emil himself is such a funny, likeable character. He’s mischievous but not mean. He is full of energy and wild ideas. It was a light, fun read.

[Destiny Gillbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughters and I loved Emil. We laughed so much throughout the book about this little boy who means well but nearly always ends up in the shed as his punishment.

[Prashant Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Hilarious

[يارا سعد · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Emil!!!!

[Kathryn Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud with the boys. We enjoyed it but not nearly as much as Pippi Longstocking.

[Eric Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic Astrid. She has so many. I love this Emil kid, lulz.

[Veronica245 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was my favorite book as a kid

[Arlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom read this to us as kids and I remembered loving them. It was fun to read again with the kids. It's a bit silly, but C loved it. He will read the other two on his own. They're short, but not really worth reading all together. Fun to get started together.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

201 - 2012

[Malinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Pippi

[Tara]

Entertaining series of stories about a rascally boy. It was a fun book and my 4 yr old enjoyed it too.

[Andrus Boys]

A quick read that we did while on vacation last week