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Astrid y Veronika
Para enfrentarse en soledad a una pérdida reciente, Veronika, una joven escritora, se instala en una casita de campo en una zona boscosa del interior de Suecia. En ese enclave donde reinan la paz y el silencio, su único contacto con el mundo es Astrid, una mujer taciturna que habita la única casa de los alrededores y con quien apenas intercambia un saludo de vez en cuando. En apariencia, las dos mujeres tienen poco en común: Veronika ronda la treintena, ha recorrido medio mundo y ahora busca la reclusión; Astrid, por el contrario, es anciana, nunca ha salido de su pueblo y no tiene quien la visite. Y sin embargo, a partir de una circunstancia imprevista, ambas inician una frágil relación que, a medida que el invierno deja paso a la primavera, va creando entre ellas un espacio de intimidad que les permite hablar de su pasado y sus recuerdos. Con la llegada de las primeras fresas silvestres, los secretos que atormentan a cada una de ellas saldrán a la luz, y su profunda y sincera amistad dará nuevo sentido a sus vidas.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2005
222 people are currently reading
4431 people want to read
About the author
Linda Olsson
14 books248 followersLinda Olsson lives in Auckland, New Zealand. Her debut 'Let me sing you gentle songs' was published in September 2005 in New Zealand. Since then the rights for it have been sold to many countries. It has now been published in the US and Canada under the title 'Astrid and Veronika' as well as in her country of birth, Sweden (Låt mig sjunga dig milda sånger).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,496 reviews
February 22, 2018
Many thanks to Jenny for telling me about this lovely novel by Swedish born novelist,
Linda Olsson.
Veronica, is a young writer who came to New Zealand - rented a small house in a small village in Sweden. She was hoping to reconcile a recent tragedy while finishing her latest novel.
She had dreams of the beach and sea every night - but most mornings only a fragment remained.....yet the feelings lingered all day. It struck her that her own memories seemed more clear in this new unrelated environment.
Veronica would sit at her computer for hours each day - in touch with the past which she thought was going to be easy to write - but that wasn’t so. The book she set out to write became increasingly elusive.
In the meantime Veronica becomes friends with her neighbor- Astrid - who was in her 80’s. Astrid, a reclusive woman, who has lived in this village her entire life, was living with a painful secret from her past.
A beautiful friendship develops over meals - wine - music - walks - strawberry’s & mushroom picking in autumn - and talks....sharing sensitive stories with one another.....comforting each other’s quiet suffering.
Early in their friendship- Veronica gave Astrid one of her previous novels. She says:
“It feels like such a long time ago since I wrote it. Perhaps it is a little like having a child. You are there to protect it and look after it, you suffer with it and rejoice with it.
But in the end you have to let it live it’s own life. Step back and let it free. And hope that it will fare well”.
Astrid responded by saying, “yes, we must let go of even the most precious things”.
I had remembered those quotes - for their own merits - ( even thinking of a few authors I’ve interacted with who could take a lesson)....lol...
but as I read the rest of this book - those quotes took on a more specific powerful
meaning.
Veronica and Astrid have a beautiful companionship. Their age difference adds a rich quality. The village where they live - with the seasons changing gives us a quiet reflective novel.
The writing creates an melancholic aura which becomes peaceful reading....the seasons are great supporting characters in their own rite.
....from candles glowing on the snow in winter, duckings in the summer, darkness in the houses at night, sipping teas, the rivers, birch, cherry and apple trees,
flowerbeds along the fence, daffodils among the weeds, the warmth of the kitchen, smells from cooking - etc.
A small novel - 246 pages.... A sensitive powerful woman’s friendship...beautifully written!!!
Linda Olsson.
Veronica, is a young writer who came to New Zealand - rented a small house in a small village in Sweden. She was hoping to reconcile a recent tragedy while finishing her latest novel.
She had dreams of the beach and sea every night - but most mornings only a fragment remained.....yet the feelings lingered all day. It struck her that her own memories seemed more clear in this new unrelated environment.
Veronica would sit at her computer for hours each day - in touch with the past which she thought was going to be easy to write - but that wasn’t so. The book she set out to write became increasingly elusive.
In the meantime Veronica becomes friends with her neighbor- Astrid - who was in her 80’s. Astrid, a reclusive woman, who has lived in this village her entire life, was living with a painful secret from her past.
A beautiful friendship develops over meals - wine - music - walks - strawberry’s & mushroom picking in autumn - and talks....sharing sensitive stories with one another.....comforting each other’s quiet suffering.
Early in their friendship- Veronica gave Astrid one of her previous novels. She says:
“It feels like such a long time ago since I wrote it. Perhaps it is a little like having a child. You are there to protect it and look after it, you suffer with it and rejoice with it.
But in the end you have to let it live it’s own life. Step back and let it free. And hope that it will fare well”.
Astrid responded by saying, “yes, we must let go of even the most precious things”.
I had remembered those quotes - for their own merits - ( even thinking of a few authors I’ve interacted with who could take a lesson)....lol...
but as I read the rest of this book - those quotes took on a more specific powerful
meaning.
Veronica and Astrid have a beautiful companionship. Their age difference adds a rich quality. The village where they live - with the seasons changing gives us a quiet reflective novel.
The writing creates an melancholic aura which becomes peaceful reading....the seasons are great supporting characters in their own rite.
....from candles glowing on the snow in winter, duckings in the summer, darkness in the houses at night, sipping teas, the rivers, birch, cherry and apple trees,
flowerbeds along the fence, daffodils among the weeds, the warmth of the kitchen, smells from cooking - etc.
A small novel - 246 pages.... A sensitive powerful woman’s friendship...beautifully written!!!
May 25, 2022
This is a story about the kind of selfless love that true friendship implies.
Two women, as different in experience, culture, and age as they can be, cross paths at a moment when loss is obliterating all light from their lives.
Veronika is a well-travelled writer in her early thirties.
Astrid is in her eighties, and she has never left her small village in Sweden.
They both inhabit a dark, secluded space in themselves and are about to spiral downwards into nothingness when they unexpectedly find each other.
A melancholic, meditative and intimist story unfolds at a slow pace, where the past opens its doors to its most ghastly secrets and a path towards healing and reconciliation arises in the form of unjudgmental friendship.
I fell under the spell of Olsson’s narration; I’d say it’s almost hypnotizing.
The novel is completely impregnated with the Swedish landscape and nature, described in great detail, is another character in the story along with the weather and the succession of seasons that affect the mood of the two women: the snow and darkness of winter calls out to inward reflection; the appearance of the first rays of sun and the thin air of springtime bring the promise of a new budding life.
The shocking revelations that both women share with each other take place mainly in the interior of the houses that become their physical and mental refuges. But the tragic events that changed their lives happened in the exterior world; a meadow in the middle of a thick forest, the open sea, inviting and always hungry for human souls; interior and exterior, the houses and nature become alternating symbols that will evolve as the two women open to each other.
Silence and ambivalence are ever-present in the reconstruction of the two women’s stories, particularly in Astrid’s. I guess the lack of concretion in Astrid’s reproving actions with her daughter could shake the most tough reader, and even though motivations are never clearly revealed in the novel, Olsson allows the reader to construct a hypothesis through music, poetry and the alternating light and darkness of seasons that calls out for transformation.
This is not a book for the fainted-hearted. There is death, unexplained violent actions, and a suppressing atmosphere of time running out before amends can be made. But mainly, this is a book about love and self-forgiveness.
This is a story about opening freely to another human being, allowing that person to see your darkest nooks and crannies and embracing you all the more for them.
And that’s what I’d call true love. Astrid & Veronika found it, and I feel blessed to be a witness.
“for the day is you,
and the light is you,
the sun is you,
and all the beautiful, beautiful
awaiting life is you.”
Morning, Karin Boye.
Two women, as different in experience, culture, and age as they can be, cross paths at a moment when loss is obliterating all light from their lives.
Veronika is a well-travelled writer in her early thirties.
Astrid is in her eighties, and she has never left her small village in Sweden.
They both inhabit a dark, secluded space in themselves and are about to spiral downwards into nothingness when they unexpectedly find each other.
A melancholic, meditative and intimist story unfolds at a slow pace, where the past opens its doors to its most ghastly secrets and a path towards healing and reconciliation arises in the form of unjudgmental friendship.
I fell under the spell of Olsson’s narration; I’d say it’s almost hypnotizing.
The novel is completely impregnated with the Swedish landscape and nature, described in great detail, is another character in the story along with the weather and the succession of seasons that affect the mood of the two women: the snow and darkness of winter calls out to inward reflection; the appearance of the first rays of sun and the thin air of springtime bring the promise of a new budding life.
The shocking revelations that both women share with each other take place mainly in the interior of the houses that become their physical and mental refuges. But the tragic events that changed their lives happened in the exterior world; a meadow in the middle of a thick forest, the open sea, inviting and always hungry for human souls; interior and exterior, the houses and nature become alternating symbols that will evolve as the two women open to each other.
Silence and ambivalence are ever-present in the reconstruction of the two women’s stories, particularly in Astrid’s. I guess the lack of concretion in Astrid’s reproving actions with her daughter could shake the most tough reader, and even though motivations are never clearly revealed in the novel, Olsson allows the reader to construct a hypothesis through music, poetry and the alternating light and darkness of seasons that calls out for transformation.
This is not a book for the fainted-hearted. There is death, unexplained violent actions, and a suppressing atmosphere of time running out before amends can be made. But mainly, this is a book about love and self-forgiveness.
This is a story about opening freely to another human being, allowing that person to see your darkest nooks and crannies and embracing you all the more for them.
And that’s what I’d call true love. Astrid & Veronika found it, and I feel blessed to be a witness.
“for the day is you,
and the light is you,
the sun is you,
and all the beautiful, beautiful
awaiting life is you.”
Morning, Karin Boye.
December 31, 2017
4.5 I loved this book! I'm surprised that it hasn't gotten more attention. Sometimes the right book just shows up at the right time and maybe that is why I liked this so much. It made me want to see New Zealand and Sweden. This is a book about friendship, heartbreak, healing, it was sad in parts.
This is a quiet book and slow moving, it may not be for everyone. The writing is absolutely beautiful though!
Linda Olsson paints a picture with her words. I plan to read her other books.
"The birch trees went from sheer pale purple through shy green to full summer exuberance in a few days, and the delicate bluebells covered the meadows with a quivering brush of purple. The bird cherry trees blossomed and filled the air with perfume over a few intense days, then the petals fell like snow."
"...for the day is you,
and the light is you,
the sun is you,
and the beautiful, beautiful
awaiting life is you."
This is from a poem by Karin Boye.
This is a quiet book and slow moving, it may not be for everyone. The writing is absolutely beautiful though!
Linda Olsson paints a picture with her words. I plan to read her other books.
"The birch trees went from sheer pale purple through shy green to full summer exuberance in a few days, and the delicate bluebells covered the meadows with a quivering brush of purple. The bird cherry trees blossomed and filled the air with perfume over a few intense days, then the petals fell like snow."
"...for the day is you,
and the light is you,
the sun is you,
and the beautiful, beautiful
awaiting life is you."
This is from a poem by Karin Boye.
September 2, 2019
This is a beautifully written book about memory and facing the difficult memories in order to feel and live again. Olsson has a very descriptive style and I love the way she writes about the changing sky especially. Water (and its various incarnations) is a powerful metaphor for her.
Favorite passages:
"... when I listen to my own words, I realise that they tell a different story from the one I have carried all these years. ... I think that if we can find the words, and if we can find someone to tell them to, then perhaps we can see things differently. ..."
And this one because it reminds me of New Orleans, where many times it feels as if we don't have four seasons, and for those times when it's hot in the winter and I forget what season it is:
... it was as if summer and winter were intertwined: there was summer in the midst of winter, winter in the midst of summer. And there was no autumn, no spring, no time for anticipation, no time for remembrance. Only the present.
A quibble I have with the book is its repetitiveness. I also balked a bit at the coincidence of these two women with their tragic stories meeting and connecting as and when they did. But the latter quibble is minor, as I'm willing to suspend my disbelief over things like that in good fiction.
Favorite passages:
"... when I listen to my own words, I realise that they tell a different story from the one I have carried all these years. ... I think that if we can find the words, and if we can find someone to tell them to, then perhaps we can see things differently. ..."
And this one because it reminds me of New Orleans, where many times it feels as if we don't have four seasons, and for those times when it's hot in the winter and I forget what season it is:
... it was as if summer and winter were intertwined: there was summer in the midst of winter, winter in the midst of summer. And there was no autumn, no spring, no time for anticipation, no time for remembrance. Only the present.
A quibble I have with the book is its repetitiveness. I also balked a bit at the coincidence of these two women with their tragic stories meeting and connecting as and when they did. But the latter quibble is minor, as I'm willing to suspend my disbelief over things like that in good fiction.
February 7, 2009
sweet....beautiful......deep..... quiet.....thoughtful
August 13, 2007
What's the Swedish for "blech"? I was really looking forward to this book - a New Zealand/Scandanavian hybrid, the story of two women, a picture of food on the cover - what else could you ask for? How about good writing? An ear for dialogue? A decent editor?
This novel emerged from a First Novel writing workshop and I'm sorry it was allowed to enter the world instead of being mercifully smothered in a drawer. Well-worn plots (sensitive woman who has endured a Great Tragedy runs away and encounters a mysterious crabby woman with a Great Tragedy in her own past and together they Heal Each Other - all together now - "Bleeccch"!) and hideous clunky dialogue = an earnest try that will have you cringing and possibly throwing it across the room.
This novel emerged from a First Novel writing workshop and I'm sorry it was allowed to enter the world instead of being mercifully smothered in a drawer. Well-worn plots (sensitive woman who has endured a Great Tragedy runs away and encounters a mysterious crabby woman with a Great Tragedy in her own past and together they Heal Each Other - all together now - "Bleeccch"!) and hideous clunky dialogue = an earnest try that will have you cringing and possibly throwing it across the room.
April 30, 2010
To quote a review I read..."blech." There are so many things I didn't like about this book...the writing wasn't that good. The plot was is overdone and this was certainly not a fresh angle on it. And the drama was overblown. I didn't feel for either of the characters...I thought they were both idiots in their special ways. First, Astrid. And this is a spoiler...no mother, repeat NO MOTHER, would kill their child out of hatred for their husband. Period. I can't even grasp why someone would conceive of this plot and think readers are going to feel for the character. I don't feel sorry for her one bit. And Veronika, please. I can't stand these characters that their lives are over when they lose a man. And who are these 24 year olds that can just move to the country to attempt to write a book for 6 months. She barely knew the man and yes it's sad he died, but again, I didn't really feel it. My mother in law recommended this to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2018
It was lovely!
July 12, 2015
An exquisite commentary on the value of friendship between women and what an old woman and a young one can learn from one another.
August 21, 2013
Poignant and heartwarming, the novel sets you into a quiet mood, experiencing saudade in the middle of a heavy rainfall. The book opens with a cold winter welcome, it feels slow at first, but as you go along the story, you are slowly opening up - to the slow talks, to the longer sunshine, to the serense streams of the river bend, to the peaceful poems and prose, and to the sharings of the two women - of different generations, but having the same broken past and dark secrets.
I learned about their stories of loss, of longing and of love. Some are of melancholic tone - but most of them cuts deep, you cannot help but shed a tear. And oh, TEARS!
What I learned about is how the old woman named Astrid told Veronika this:
This is for us to remember that love is a gift, and may it come in such a quiet fashion, it will remain in our hearts forever.
I learned about their stories of loss, of longing and of love. Some are of melancholic tone - but most of them cuts deep, you cannot help but shed a tear. And oh, TEARS!
What I learned about is how the old woman named Astrid told Veronika this:
"...Love comes to us with no forewarning, and once given to us it can never be taken away."
This is for us to remember that love is a gift, and may it come in such a quiet fashion, it will remain in our hearts forever.
April 10, 2021
For English version please scroll down
*******
Die junge Veronika ist um die 30 und hat ihr Leben bisher als Weltenbummlerin verbracht. Nach einem tragischen Verlust beschließt sie, sich zurückzuziehen, um ein Buch zu schreiben. Zu diesem Zweck mietet sie ein Häuschen in einem kleinen schwedischen Dorf. Ihr Haus steht am Rande des Dorfes und es gibt nur ein Nachbarhaus, das der 50 Jahre älteren Astrid, die als Dorfhexe verschrien ist.
Die Autorin beschreibt in ihrem Roman die außerordentlich langsame Kontaktaufnahme und spätere Annäherung dieser beiden Frauen. Sie beginnen regelmäßig Zeit zusammen zu verbringen und erzählen sich immer persönlichere Dinge aus ihren Leben, teilweise Dinge, die sie noch nie zuvor jemandem erzählt haben.
Beide Frauen mussten Verletzungen in ihrem Leben hinnehmen, die bisher nicht geheilt waren. Ihre sehr zarte Freundschaft und die teilweise fragmentarischen Gespräche (oftmals nur Monologe), die sie führen, verbessern im Laufe der Zeit den emotionalen Zustand bei beiden.
Publishers Weekly preist auf der Rückseite des Buches den Roman mit folgenden Worten: “Selten schenkt einem ein Buch soviel Freude.” Die Redakteure der Zeitschrift müssen ein anderes Buch gelesen haben.
Ich habe dieses Buch als zutiefst melancholisch und als erfüllt von unendlicher Traurigkeit empfunden.
Obwohl mir sowohl Astrid als auch Veronika (vor allem Veronika) trotz ihrer höchst persönlichen Geständnisse sehr fremd und entfernt blieben, hat mich das Buch unerwartet stark berührt und emotional erschüttert.
Zudem empfand ich das Ende als allzusehr von Wunschdenken geprägt. Um solche emotionalen Wunden zu heilen, wie sie hier beschrieben wurden, braucht es mit Sicherheit mehr als eine nette, verständnisvolle Nachbarin.
Dennoch habe ich die Lektüre genossen und kann das Buch für Freunde ruhiger Geschichten empfehlen.
3 Sterne.
---------------------------
The young 30-something Veronika has spent her life so far as a globetrotter. After a tragic loss, she decides to retreat to write a book. For this purpose she rents a house in a small Swedish village. Her house is on the outskirts of the village and there is only one neighboring house, that of Astrid, 50 years her senior, who is notorious as a village witch.
In her novel, the author describes how these two women extremely slowly establish contact and subsequently build up a certain closeness. They start to spend time together regularly and tell each other more and more personal things from their lives, sometimes things that they have never told anyone before.
Both women suffered injuries in their lives that had not yet been healed. Their very tender friendship and their sometimes fragmentary conversations (often only monologues) improve their emotional state over time.
Publishers Weekly praises the novel on the back of the book with the following words: "Seldom does a book give you so much joy." The journal's editors must have read a different book.
I found this book to be deeply melancholy and filled with infinite sadness.
Although both Astrid and Veronika (especially Veronika) remained very alien and distant to me, despite their highly personal confessions, the book touched me unexpectedly and shook me emotionally.
I also found the ending to be too much wishful thinking. It certainly takes more than a kind, understanding neighbor to heal the emotional wounds described here.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it and can recommend the book to friends of calm stories.
3 stars.
*******
Die junge Veronika ist um die 30 und hat ihr Leben bisher als Weltenbummlerin verbracht. Nach einem tragischen Verlust beschließt sie, sich zurückzuziehen, um ein Buch zu schreiben. Zu diesem Zweck mietet sie ein Häuschen in einem kleinen schwedischen Dorf. Ihr Haus steht am Rande des Dorfes und es gibt nur ein Nachbarhaus, das der 50 Jahre älteren Astrid, die als Dorfhexe verschrien ist.
Die Autorin beschreibt in ihrem Roman die außerordentlich langsame Kontaktaufnahme und spätere Annäherung dieser beiden Frauen. Sie beginnen regelmäßig Zeit zusammen zu verbringen und erzählen sich immer persönlichere Dinge aus ihren Leben, teilweise Dinge, die sie noch nie zuvor jemandem erzählt haben.
Beide Frauen mussten Verletzungen in ihrem Leben hinnehmen, die bisher nicht geheilt waren. Ihre sehr zarte Freundschaft und die teilweise fragmentarischen Gespräche (oftmals nur Monologe), die sie führen, verbessern im Laufe der Zeit den emotionalen Zustand bei beiden.
Publishers Weekly preist auf der Rückseite des Buches den Roman mit folgenden Worten: “Selten schenkt einem ein Buch soviel Freude.” Die Redakteure der Zeitschrift müssen ein anderes Buch gelesen haben.
Ich habe dieses Buch als zutiefst melancholisch und als erfüllt von unendlicher Traurigkeit empfunden.
Obwohl mir sowohl Astrid als auch Veronika (vor allem Veronika) trotz ihrer höchst persönlichen Geständnisse sehr fremd und entfernt blieben, hat mich das Buch unerwartet stark berührt und emotional erschüttert.
Zudem empfand ich das Ende als allzusehr von Wunschdenken geprägt. Um solche emotionalen Wunden zu heilen, wie sie hier beschrieben wurden, braucht es mit Sicherheit mehr als eine nette, verständnisvolle Nachbarin.
Dennoch habe ich die Lektüre genossen und kann das Buch für Freunde ruhiger Geschichten empfehlen.
3 Sterne.
---------------------------
The young 30-something Veronika has spent her life so far as a globetrotter. After a tragic loss, she decides to retreat to write a book. For this purpose she rents a house in a small Swedish village. Her house is on the outskirts of the village and there is only one neighboring house, that of Astrid, 50 years her senior, who is notorious as a village witch.
In her novel, the author describes how these two women extremely slowly establish contact and subsequently build up a certain closeness. They start to spend time together regularly and tell each other more and more personal things from their lives, sometimes things that they have never told anyone before.
Both women suffered injuries in their lives that had not yet been healed. Their very tender friendship and their sometimes fragmentary conversations (often only monologues) improve their emotional state over time.
Publishers Weekly praises the novel on the back of the book with the following words: "Seldom does a book give you so much joy." The journal's editors must have read a different book.
I found this book to be deeply melancholy and filled with infinite sadness.
Although both Astrid and Veronika (especially Veronika) remained very alien and distant to me, despite their highly personal confessions, the book touched me unexpectedly and shook me emotionally.
I also found the ending to be too much wishful thinking. It certainly takes more than a kind, understanding neighbor to heal the emotional wounds described here.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it and can recommend the book to friends of calm stories.
3 stars.
December 28, 2016
"Astrid y Veronika" narra la amistad entre dos mujeres de edades y vidas muy distintas pero ambas muy desgraciadas y solas. La prosa de la autora es delicada y hay párrafos preciosos, pero me he quedado con la sensación de que en ciertos momentos era demasiado lírica. Es una novela muy triste y personalmente no me habría importado que hubiera un poco de alegría entre sus páginas (aunque esto desde luego es completamente subjetivo). La estructura narrativa, pasa del narrador en tercera persona al narrador en primera (alternando las voces de las dos mujeres), es impecable y lo mejor de la obra. En resumen, aunque el argumento no ha acabado de convencerme creo que es la técnica de la autora es impresionante. Es una novela corta de esas que tienes que leer despacio porque cada palabra ha sido elegida con esmero, pero he echado en falta que la autora se involucrase más en el contenido y en el alma de sus personajes.
December 19, 2008
This is a story of two halves of one spirit finding one another. It is the story of a brief, yet transformative, relationship. Astrid, and elderly, isolated soul meets her new neighbor, Veronika, a devastated and wandering soul. It is the sharing of each others' wounds and loves which transform both of their lives. The themes in this book include: love, friendship, transformation, sharing, confessing, forgiving, and accepting. Absolutely lovely. It receives four rather than five stars because it is just a smidgeon too contrived.
October 3, 2024
Maybe 2,5
You can find my review in english further down
Efter att flera i min vänskapskrets pratat om hur mycket de tyckte om den här boken bestämde jag mig för att läsa den.
I Linda Olssons Nu vill jag sjunga dig milda sånger får vi följa med Veronika som en marskväll flyttar in i en enslig stuga i en liten by i Dalarna. Hon vill ha lugn och ro och en plats där hon kan skriva färdigt sin roman. Hon vill också vara ensam för att komma över en stor sorg. I huset bredvid bor en gammal kvinna, Astrid, som i tysthet betraktar Veronika när hon flyttar in. Mellan dem spirar en ovanlig vänskap som förändrar bådas liv för alltid.
Jag försökte gilla den här boken. Jag försökte att inte himla med ögonen men det gick inte. Den här boken strös med en massa gullegull tillsammans med melankoliska meningar. Jag får heller inget riktigt grepp om vem Veronika eller Astrid är som karaktärer. Vi får ta del av deras mörka och tragiska förflutna men jag kan inte påstå att jag vet vad för karaktärer de är. Astrid kallas häxan i byn men vi läsare får aldrig riktigt reda på varför och hennes karaktär är raka motsatsen till hennes smeknamn vilket för mig är förvirrande. Vem är Astrid? Varför kallas hon häxan? Om hon är så otrevlig som alla säger i byn, varför är hon så trevlig mot Veronika?
Även Veronikas karaktär saknar djup. Det är uppenbart att någonting hemskt har hänt henne och att hon behöver komma över en sorg men det verkar vara mer än så. Tyvärr får vi inte veta mer.
Det är en välskriven bok men jag gillade inte stilen. Hela boken kändes överdramatiserad vilket gjorde det svårt för mig att ta det hela på allvar. Istället för att vara en fin berättelse om vänskap förvandlades hela boken till sentimentalt möte mellan två kvinnor.
--------------------------------
After several in my circle of friends talking about how much they enjoyed this book, I decided to read it as well.
In Linda Olsson Let me sing you gentle songs we follow Veronika who one evening in March moves into a secluded cottage in a small village in Dalarna. She wants peace and quiet and a place where she can finish writing her novel. She also wants to be alone to get over a great sorrow. In the house next-door lives an old woman, Astrid, who quietly watches Veronica when she moves in. Between them sprout an unusual friendship that changes both their lives forever.
I tried to like this book. I tried not to roll my eyes but couldn’t help myself. This book is sprinkled with a lot of cute metaphors mixed with melancholy sentences. I also didn’t get a real grasp of who Veronika or Astrid really is as characters. The reader gets to know both characters dark and tragic past, but I still can’t say I know who they really are. Astrid is called the witch in the village but the readers never really finds out why, and her character is the complete opposite of her nickname, which for me is confusing. Who is Astrid? Why is she the witch? If she is so rude as everyone says in the village, why is she so nice to Veronika?
Even Veronika's character lacks depth. It is obvious that something bad has happened to her and that she needs to get over the grief, but it seems to be more than that. Unfortunately, we don’t get to know more.
It is a well-written book, but I did not like the style. The whole book felt over dramatized, making it difficult for me to take it all seriously. Instead of being a nice story about friendship this book turned out to be a sentimental encounter between two women.
You can find my review in english further down
Efter att flera i min vänskapskrets pratat om hur mycket de tyckte om den här boken bestämde jag mig för att läsa den.
I Linda Olssons Nu vill jag sjunga dig milda sånger får vi följa med Veronika som en marskväll flyttar in i en enslig stuga i en liten by i Dalarna. Hon vill ha lugn och ro och en plats där hon kan skriva färdigt sin roman. Hon vill också vara ensam för att komma över en stor sorg. I huset bredvid bor en gammal kvinna, Astrid, som i tysthet betraktar Veronika när hon flyttar in. Mellan dem spirar en ovanlig vänskap som förändrar bådas liv för alltid.
Jag försökte gilla den här boken. Jag försökte att inte himla med ögonen men det gick inte. Den här boken strös med en massa gullegull tillsammans med melankoliska meningar. Jag får heller inget riktigt grepp om vem Veronika eller Astrid är som karaktärer. Vi får ta del av deras mörka och tragiska förflutna men jag kan inte påstå att jag vet vad för karaktärer de är. Astrid kallas häxan i byn men vi läsare får aldrig riktigt reda på varför och hennes karaktär är raka motsatsen till hennes smeknamn vilket för mig är förvirrande. Vem är Astrid? Varför kallas hon häxan? Om hon är så otrevlig som alla säger i byn, varför är hon så trevlig mot Veronika?
Även Veronikas karaktär saknar djup. Det är uppenbart att någonting hemskt har hänt henne och att hon behöver komma över en sorg men det verkar vara mer än så. Tyvärr får vi inte veta mer.
Det är en välskriven bok men jag gillade inte stilen. Hela boken kändes överdramatiserad vilket gjorde det svårt för mig att ta det hela på allvar. Istället för att vara en fin berättelse om vänskap förvandlades hela boken till sentimentalt möte mellan två kvinnor.
--------------------------------
After several in my circle of friends talking about how much they enjoyed this book, I decided to read it as well.
In Linda Olsson Let me sing you gentle songs we follow Veronika who one evening in March moves into a secluded cottage in a small village in Dalarna. She wants peace and quiet and a place where she can finish writing her novel. She also wants to be alone to get over a great sorrow. In the house next-door lives an old woman, Astrid, who quietly watches Veronica when she moves in. Between them sprout an unusual friendship that changes both their lives forever.
I tried to like this book. I tried not to roll my eyes but couldn’t help myself. This book is sprinkled with a lot of cute metaphors mixed with melancholy sentences. I also didn’t get a real grasp of who Veronika or Astrid really is as characters. The reader gets to know both characters dark and tragic past, but I still can’t say I know who they really are. Astrid is called the witch in the village but the readers never really finds out why, and her character is the complete opposite of her nickname, which for me is confusing. Who is Astrid? Why is she the witch? If she is so rude as everyone says in the village, why is she so nice to Veronika?
Even Veronika's character lacks depth. It is obvious that something bad has happened to her and that she needs to get over the grief, but it seems to be more than that. Unfortunately, we don’t get to know more.
It is a well-written book, but I did not like the style. The whole book felt over dramatized, making it difficult for me to take it all seriously. Instead of being a nice story about friendship this book turned out to be a sentimental encounter between two women.
May 3, 2009
Maybe this book is one that came at the right time for me, but I really really liked it and slowed down my reading so I would not finish it. It is about a friendship between a younger and an older woman in a small town in Sweden. They both are healing from events in their past. Each chapter begins with a line or two of poetry which I liked. I also liked the author's descriptions of light and of food.
The author is Swedish but now lives in New Zealand and the book is set in both places, but mostly in Sweden.
This is one book I will keep and perhaps read again.
The author is Swedish but now lives in New Zealand and the book is set in both places, but mostly in Sweden.
This is one book I will keep and perhaps read again.
November 25, 2009
perhaps it is my scandinavian background that drew me to this book and allowed me to relate to it so, i really liked reading about the relationship between these two amazing women. it turns out that my bestemor (grandma) was reading it at the same time i was so we had a nice discussion of scandinavian literature. since reading it i haven't stopped thinking about moving to the tip of denmark, skagen, where i would rent a small house and write and read. just like Veronika.
March 5, 2016
How does a book marry the coldness of a Scandinavian landscape with the warmth of unexpected friendship? No other book since The Enchanted April has had the ability to soften my somewhat sardonic view of female friendships.
This book makes me long for an Astrid of my own.
Perhaps I'll need to be patient ... gather more years on myself ... and become an Astrid to someone else.
This book makes me long for an Astrid of my own.
Perhaps I'll need to be patient ... gather more years on myself ... and become an Astrid to someone else.
August 28, 2022
------ Reflection ------
Solitude, the word carries abysmal depth, as if there’s silence, loneliness, sadness, longing, despair, melancholy, sorrow and grief hiding, shivering and trying to make themselves at home within the gaps of the letters.
Maybe when sadness and loneliness make love, Or maybe when loneliness has an affair with grief, Or maybe when sorrow and melancholy decide to hang out with despair. Or, just hear me out, maybe, just maybe, when longing stands in the rain for far too long waiting for love and finally decides to go home and wank the weariness away, is that how solitude is born?
I believe that sadness, loneliness, grief, despair, and solitude are true emotions that humans still have and are not able to fake for their benefit, yes looking at you “happiness”!
Deep within solitude there are different layers of grief, and in an attempt to ease the sorrow we seek solitude. But the irony is, the more we spend time alone, the more grief infests in the varied loneliest colors. Balzac once said, solitude is the best company when you have someone to share it with, otherwise it's just loneliness.
Correct me if I am wrong but two grieving individuals create the strongest bond, by healing each other in whichever way possible, because the one suffering only knows what the other’s suffering can be like. Only when you know, the other needs to hear a gentle song that you will yourself to sing gentle songs.
You and I have our own share of sufferings, grief, sadness, trauma, despair, bundled up and hidden in one corner, while we pretend to be okay, and function as an adult in the society. Even though the bundle bursts every night, with every morning we neatly bundle it again and go on with life as if nothing happened.
What is the use of words if they can’t help us communicate our emotions, have words really failed us or have we stopped listening closely, observing closely, sometimes emotions exist in the gaps of words, the silences between words.
All one has to do is listen carefully to the unspoken words, badly arranged words, harsh words, words hiding in the gestures, words pouring out of countenance, words that died on the lips, words that lost direction and words that wrap feelings more than meanings.
Solitude, the word carries abysmal depth, as if there’s silence, loneliness, sadness, longing, despair, melancholy, sorrow and grief hiding, shivering and trying to make themselves at home within the gaps of the letters.
Maybe when sadness and loneliness make love, Or maybe when loneliness has an affair with grief, Or maybe when sorrow and melancholy decide to hang out with despair. Or, just hear me out, maybe, just maybe, when longing stands in the rain for far too long waiting for love and finally decides to go home and wank the weariness away, is that how solitude is born?
I believe that sadness, loneliness, grief, despair, and solitude are true emotions that humans still have and are not able to fake for their benefit, yes looking at you “happiness”!
Deep within solitude there are different layers of grief, and in an attempt to ease the sorrow we seek solitude. But the irony is, the more we spend time alone, the more grief infests in the varied loneliest colors. Balzac once said, solitude is the best company when you have someone to share it with, otherwise it's just loneliness.
Correct me if I am wrong but two grieving individuals create the strongest bond, by healing each other in whichever way possible, because the one suffering only knows what the other’s suffering can be like. Only when you know, the other needs to hear a gentle song that you will yourself to sing gentle songs.
You and I have our own share of sufferings, grief, sadness, trauma, despair, bundled up and hidden in one corner, while we pretend to be okay, and function as an adult in the society. Even though the bundle bursts every night, with every morning we neatly bundle it again and go on with life as if nothing happened.
What is the use of words if they can’t help us communicate our emotions, have words really failed us or have we stopped listening closely, observing closely, sometimes emotions exist in the gaps of words, the silences between words.
All one has to do is listen carefully to the unspoken words, badly arranged words, harsh words, words hiding in the gestures, words pouring out of countenance, words that died on the lips, words that lost direction and words that wrap feelings more than meanings.
December 11, 2008
I hated this book, with its faux-poeticism and its overuse of quotations in order to make it look legit and intelligent. (It was neither.) Giving your characters outrageously tragic lives does not make your book meaningful.
December 13, 2018
My issues:
1. This is essentially an alternation of monologues delivered by two women, one 30, the other in her 70s. The monologues themselves are not bad (or wouldn't be in a different context), but, given they are supposedly delivered as part of an ongoing conversation in the present, utterly unbelievable. No woman talks about her own belly as impeccable, for example. Nobody talking about the past talks about it as if writing a pretentious novel.
2. There is no attempt to connect these monologues in any meaningful way. They spend the day together and then one opens up towards the end of it. There is no story here. There is no explanation as to why these two are drawn to each other, except mystical "I moved despite myself" or "I just knew" type descriptions. Oh, and pain, of course.
3. The narration in between the monologues is mostly very flat, especially in the beginning of the novel. My guess is the author was trying to juxtapose the colorless, monotonous present with vivid recollections of the past. It might have worked if some effort had been made toward actually writing a novel rather than a string of monologues.
4. One blow of fate is more ridiculous than the next. I felt no sense of emotion as the women were relating their stories, they felt either clichéd or overwrought. Don't get me started on the "deep poems" at the beginning of each chapter.
5. Subtlety. There is none.
6. As it's basically just monologues between people, it's all the more frustrating that both characters (essentially the only ones we get to know) remain enigmas. Funnily enough, the only character that came alive for me was Johan, Veronika's boyfriend in Stockholm. His was the only pain I felt, short as the moment was.
7. Lots of repetitions that I thought might be purposeful or symbolic that turned out not to be. Or too obvious. The folded hands... lots of folded hands... hands folded like a corpse... See point 5.
8. I realize a theme was memory, and the fragmented nature of life. And perhaps the structure was reflective of that. There is potential here, but summa summarum, I felt like I hadn't read a finished novel.
9. Having said that, I understand why some people would really like this novel. It's essentially about whether you get swept up in the monologues, which do contain some very rich descriptions.
10. The German translation kept using the formal "Sie" even though the women referred to each other by their first names and despite their growing, albeit mystical friendship. Maybe the translator was as confused as me about their relationship?
I feel like it could have worked in a different context. Maybe Veronika could have collected stories of elderly women in an old folks home or traveled to several villages, and these would have been some of the stories she would have heard there. And she could have talked about the process of finding them for her novel or something. For example. As it stands, I unfortunately find the story and the friendship unconvincing.
1. This is essentially an alternation of monologues delivered by two women, one 30, the other in her 70s. The monologues themselves are not bad (or wouldn't be in a different context), but, given they are supposedly delivered as part of an ongoing conversation in the present, utterly unbelievable. No woman talks about her own belly as impeccable, for example. Nobody talking about the past talks about it as if writing a pretentious novel.
2. There is no attempt to connect these monologues in any meaningful way. They spend the day together and then one opens up towards the end of it. There is no story here. There is no explanation as to why these two are drawn to each other, except mystical "I moved despite myself" or "I just knew" type descriptions. Oh, and pain, of course.
3. The narration in between the monologues is mostly very flat, especially in the beginning of the novel. My guess is the author was trying to juxtapose the colorless, monotonous present with vivid recollections of the past. It might have worked if some effort had been made toward actually writing a novel rather than a string of monologues.
4. One blow of fate is more ridiculous than the next. I felt no sense of emotion as the women were relating their stories, they felt either clichéd or overwrought. Don't get me started on the "deep poems" at the beginning of each chapter.
5. Subtlety. There is none.
6. As it's basically just monologues between people, it's all the more frustrating that both characters (essentially the only ones we get to know) remain enigmas. Funnily enough, the only character that came alive for me was Johan, Veronika's boyfriend in Stockholm. His was the only pain I felt, short as the moment was.
7. Lots of repetitions that I thought might be purposeful or symbolic that turned out not to be. Or too obvious. The folded hands... lots of folded hands... hands folded like a corpse... See point 5.
8. I realize a theme was memory, and the fragmented nature of life. And perhaps the structure was reflective of that. There is potential here, but summa summarum, I felt like I hadn't read a finished novel.
9. Having said that, I understand why some people would really like this novel. It's essentially about whether you get swept up in the monologues, which do contain some very rich descriptions.
10. The German translation kept using the formal "Sie" even though the women referred to each other by their first names and despite their growing, albeit mystical friendship. Maybe the translator was as confused as me about their relationship?
I feel like it could have worked in a different context. Maybe Veronika could have collected stories of elderly women in an old folks home or traveled to several villages, and these would have been some of the stories she would have heard there. And she could have talked about the process of finding them for her novel or something. For example. As it stands, I unfortunately find the story and the friendship unconvincing.
November 26, 2011
This is a book I have wanted to read for such a long time - and bliss it is my real life book club read for November!
I can't wait but I have two to read first....
Well worth the wait. I had previously read Linda Olsen's second book and loved it. I now see that in her second book she built on the first refining her skill. That is the descriptive narrative of places she has been. The sensuous quality she adopts to describes a place is stunning. In this book I feel I would recognize the part of Sweden she describes and those whom she meets. The places and emotions flow over you. The story a little darker than her second book but equally moving and unforgettable. To comment freely would give the plot away. I recommend this if you have some quite contemplative time to give to it - especially if you have been in love or are a mother......
I can't wait but I have two to read first....
Well worth the wait. I had previously read Linda Olsen's second book and loved it. I now see that in her second book she built on the first refining her skill. That is the descriptive narrative of places she has been. The sensuous quality she adopts to describes a place is stunning. In this book I feel I would recognize the part of Sweden she describes and those whom she meets. The places and emotions flow over you. The story a little darker than her second book but equally moving and unforgettable. To comment freely would give the plot away. I recommend this if you have some quite contemplative time to give to it - especially if you have been in love or are a mother......
January 21, 2010
A beautiful, wonderfully written story about two women; one at the beginning of her life, the other at the end of her life, who meet and because of this discover hope and love again.
This book is written in such a way that I want to go back and copy parts of it; so poetic and grand.
I recommend this book for anyone who has felt a loss and the accompanying hopelessness that goes along with it. It may just provide you with the spark of hope you needed or the breath of love that was always there.
Five stars to this book which immediately is going on my list of favorites!
This book is written in such a way that I want to go back and copy parts of it; so poetic and grand.
I recommend this book for anyone who has felt a loss and the accompanying hopelessness that goes along with it. It may just provide you with the spark of hope you needed or the breath of love that was always there.
Five stars to this book which immediately is going on my list of favorites!
July 13, 2019
Astrid and Veronika is the story of a friendship between a thirty-year-old woman and a woman over 80. Through their friendship, these two women heal their hearts, one broken long ago and one more recently. I absolutely love stories of friendships between women, particularly unlikely friendships. This book kept me immersed in the beauty of the settings and the friendship. I absolutely loved it.
November 28, 2023
Esa estrella no quiere decir que el libro sea malo, no sé si es malo, no tengo idea, lo odié tanto que no puedo destacarle ni una sola virtud más que es un libro y existe.
Una mina se va a una casa en medio de la nada a escribir un libro porque está deprimida porque le fue mal en el amor, y tiene una vecina que es una vieja ermitaña que vive deprimida porque le fue mal en la vida, y se hacen amigas y hacen cosas que harían que a Corín Tellado le daría cringe.
Dios, qué embole.
Igual es probable que no sea yo el target de este libro. Estoy casi seguro de eso. Si fuera una mujer en mis 40 supongo que lo hubiese disfrutado, no sé.
Una mina se va a una casa en medio de la nada a escribir un libro porque está deprimida porque le fue mal en el amor, y tiene una vecina que es una vieja ermitaña que vive deprimida porque le fue mal en la vida, y se hacen amigas y hacen cosas que harían que a Corín Tellado le daría cringe.
Dios, qué embole.
Igual es probable que no sea yo el target de este libro. Estoy casi seguro de eso. Si fuera una mujer en mis 40 supongo que lo hubiese disfrutado, no sé.
April 22, 2023
I struggled as to whether this book deserved 3 or four stars, but ultimately decided on four. This was a slow moving read for me, but worth the struggle. Because, it contains many moral truths, which have given me much food for thought. It is truly a love story. Not a romantic love story, but a love story between two kindred souls. The imagery is intoxicating and palpable. There is the occasional moment of excitement, but really it reads like a lazy brook. It’s a lovely read…perfect for a sleepy Sunday on a blanket in the park.
October 1, 2023
4.5/5
/ „Kartais geri dalykai ateina pas mus nepastebimai, juos sunku nusakyti. Nuo mūsų priklauso, kuo baigsis netikėtas susitikimas. Ką panorėsime matyti. Ką panorėsime išsaugoti. Ką panorėsime prisiminti. Nepamiršk, kad gyvenimo meilė slypi viduje. Niekas niekada jos negalės iš tavęs atimti.“ /
Nepaprasto grožio istorija! Viena vertus, šiek tiek apgaulinga, nes prieš atsiverčiant pirmuosius puslapius tikėjausi visai ko kito, kita vertus, pabaigus knygą jausmai ir emocijos ima viršų, o būtent tam lūkesčius ir kėliau.
Daug veiksmo, greitos įvykių tėkmės, veikėjų gausos čia tikėtis nereikėtų. Priešingai – vyksmas lėtas, pasakojimas poetiškas, o jo ašis – dvi moterys, be galo skirtingos, bet kartu turinčios tiek daug bendro. Ir nors lėto tempo istorijos beveik visada manęs visai nesužavi, ši turi kažkokios magijos ir savotiško žavesio, nes ja patikėjau!
Įtikino mane išties įdomus ir intriguojantis dviejų pagrindinių veikėjų kontrastas. Nepaprastai didelis amžiaus skirtumas, skirtingos kartos, skirtingas pasaulio suvokimas bei pajautimas, skirtingi charakteriai, rodos, visai nesuderinami, tik skiriantys, o ta atskirtis turėtų būti išties milžiniška. Bet skaudžios patirtys, liūdni išgyvenimai ir džiaugsmo gyventi praradimas yra būtent tai, kas moteris suartina ir išaugina jųdviejų ryšį. Ir kaip ironiškai beskambėtų, bet būtent gyvenimo negandos jų širdyse įžiebia šviesą, viltį ir norą gyventi.
Ir nors istorija liūdna, skaudi ir tikrai ne su tokia pabaiga, kurios skaitytojas tikėtųsi, aš čia galiu įžvelgti be galo daug šviesos, gėrio, tyrumo, tikrumo, nepaprasto gylio bei vilties! O kiekvieno skyriaus įžanga, prasidedanti keliomis eilutėmis iš skirtingų eilėraščių ar dainų, ne tik kiekvieną skyrelį, bet ir visą istoriją, labai taikliai įprasmina ir išties suteikia to poetiško, lyriško ir širdį glostančio grožio!
/ „Kartais geri dalykai ateina pas mus nepastebimai, juos sunku nusakyti. Nuo mūsų priklauso, kuo baigsis netikėtas susitikimas. Ką panorėsime matyti. Ką panorėsime išsaugoti. Ką panorėsime prisiminti. Nepamiršk, kad gyvenimo meilė slypi viduje. Niekas niekada jos negalės iš tavęs atimti.“ /
Nepaprasto grožio istorija! Viena vertus, šiek tiek apgaulinga, nes prieš atsiverčiant pirmuosius puslapius tikėjausi visai ko kito, kita vertus, pabaigus knygą jausmai ir emocijos ima viršų, o būtent tam lūkesčius ir kėliau.
Daug veiksmo, greitos įvykių tėkmės, veikėjų gausos čia tikėtis nereikėtų. Priešingai – vyksmas lėtas, pasakojimas poetiškas, o jo ašis – dvi moterys, be galo skirtingos, bet kartu turinčios tiek daug bendro. Ir nors lėto tempo istorijos beveik visada manęs visai nesužavi, ši turi kažkokios magijos ir savotiško žavesio, nes ja patikėjau!
Įtikino mane išties įdomus ir intriguojantis dviejų pagrindinių veikėjų kontrastas. Nepaprastai didelis amžiaus skirtumas, skirtingos kartos, skirtingas pasaulio suvokimas bei pajautimas, skirtingi charakteriai, rodos, visai nesuderinami, tik skiriantys, o ta atskirtis turėtų būti išties milžiniška. Bet skaudžios patirtys, liūdni išgyvenimai ir džiaugsmo gyventi praradimas yra būtent tai, kas moteris suartina ir išaugina jųdviejų ryšį. Ir kaip ironiškai beskambėtų, bet būtent gyvenimo negandos jų širdyse įžiebia šviesą, viltį ir norą gyventi.
Ir nors istorija liūdna, skaudi ir tikrai ne su tokia pabaiga, kurios skaitytojas tikėtųsi, aš čia galiu įžvelgti be galo daug šviesos, gėrio, tyrumo, tikrumo, nepaprasto gylio bei vilties! O kiekvieno skyriaus įžanga, prasidedanti keliomis eilutėmis iš skirtingų eilėraščių ar dainų, ne tik kiekvieną skyrelį, bet ir visą istoriją, labai taikliai įprasmina ir išties suteikia to poetiško, lyriško ir širdį glostančio grožio!
October 21, 2013
I would really like to give this book 3 1/2 stars. The first hundred pages are exquisite. The author's ability to capture the essence of the place had me running to my computer; checking out fares to Sweden. I also enjoyed the budding relationship between Astrid, a reclusive 80 year old woman and Veronika, a 30 year old writer. I initially slowed down to savor the book, but as the story unfolded I began to feel overwhelmed by the melancholy tone. Although the characters mention joy and happiness as they share their past, it doesn't surface in the same way sorrow does. By the end, the book seemed out of balance. And yet, there is plenty of poetry in Olsson's writing.It is the author's first novel and definitely worth a look. I will look forward to reading more of her work.
December 31, 2023
I listened to this as an audiobook for bookclub and really enjoyed it. The friendship between Astrid and Veronika was so sweet. The trauma that they both went through was so sad, but I loved that they were able to share their stories with each other and grow throughout the book.
November 3, 2023
Such a sweet little book. I'll definitely read it again someday.
October 6, 2024
Veronika Bergman, a writer for New Zealand rents a house in a small village in Sweden during the Winter in order to finish a novel.
When she arrived in the Swedish village her elderly reclusive neighbor Astrid has a secret from her past. Astrid and Veronika become friends in their time of grief which cements their friendship.
As seasons change they open up to one another, which changes them both and their lives are forever changed.
A beautifully written story, one I'll not forget.
When she arrived in the Swedish village her elderly reclusive neighbor Astrid has a secret from her past. Astrid and Veronika become friends in their time of grief which cements their friendship.
As seasons change they open up to one another, which changes them both and their lives are forever changed.
A beautifully written story, one I'll not forget.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,496 reviews