Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

The Emigrants by Swedish Author [author:Vilhelm Moberg|95947 from 1949. It is the first part of The Emigrants series.

The story takes place in the 1840s up to 1850. The novel describes the hardships faced by rural families in Sweden. Karl Oskar Nilsson and his wife, Kristina, own a farm in Ljuder socken in Småland. They have four children and work hard to make a living, but the poor harvests lead to famine, a catalyst for the beginnings of emigration to the United States in search of a better life. (366 pages)

We had nine (9) active Members vote for this one! I decided to open a thread for these nine Members.

Anyone in on this one?

I saw the film version of this many years ago, starring Liv Ullman. If the book is anything like the film, I recommend it. It showed the harsh conditions of their life in Sweden. (There is one scene I will never forget), and also just how hard life was in the New World.

The film version covers both of the first two books of the tetralogy and not just the first book, which is set in Sweden and the boat trip over. I think that to learn about "how hard life was in the New World" you have to read the second book, Unto a Good Land too.

That's good to know, Brian.

Rosemarie wrote: "That's good to know, Brian."

I haven't read this or Giants of the Earth, and ended up solving my indecision on which to read by deciding to read neither and instead read both Classics in Translations. But, as a busy-body-know-it-all, I chimed in anyway so that readers didn't expect to read about the New World experiences in the first book of the tetralogy. Carol has read the book and can clarify if I'm wrong.

Rosemarie, the plot description of this book reminds me of another Swedish book we've read, Jerusalem, in that the first volume covers the set up in Sweden but you don't see the pilgrims/settlers actually in the new land, be it Jerusalem or America, until the second volume.

I'll be reading this once I get my book from the library and after I finish slogging through The Palace Walk...

I’m in and have the book already . Just 1 question, did you let other voters know that this thread is open? Looking at the poll I thought I would be reading this alone.

I haven't post to the PM's yet I was waiting for Patrick to open the Sci-Fi's.
Appreciate the reminder!

The scifi threads are now open, Lesle.

Hi....I'm in. Just ordered a used copy through amazon's used book sellers. Is there a reading schedule?

I have start reading and it reminds me a little of Kristin Lavransdatter in the style of writing and the descriptions of life, social order and religion in a Nordic country. I loved that and I am enjoying this. The story is in the minutiae of life and how hard it was for the poor.

Zuly, we have no schedule. We mention what chapter we are talking about before we comment if we are making more than general statements, or the spoiler alert if we know it is going to contain spoilers.

Great thanks!

Brian wrote: "Rosemarie wrote: "That's good to know, Brian."

I haven't read this or Giants of the Earth, and ended up solving my indecision on which to read by deciding to read neither and instead read both Cla..."

I think that’s right. In the interest of full disclosure, I read this series in my teens, so blah blah excuse excuse blah blah.

The good news is, it’ll be like a whole new read, with a guarantee that I’ll love it.

I'm looking forward to reading this series. When I checked with the local bookstores, I was told that it would have to ordered from the U.S. and that it would take about a week to 10 days. So I asked within the expat group if anyone had the book to lend out and lo and behold, someone had the series and was willing to give them a new home :-). Went to pick them up today. *big grin*
(don't know how to post a photo here)

That worked out well for you, Mikiko.

Tracey the Bookworm wrote: "I have start reading and it reminds me a little of Kristin Lavransdatter in the style of writing and the descriptions of life, social order and religion in a Nordic country. I loved tha..."

Please don't tempt me with a Kristin Lavransdatter analogy, I loved the whole experience of reading that trilogy. I don't have time for a new multi-book series. I'm still trying to figure out when to fit in the next volume of the Transylvania Trilogy before I forget everything about the first volume.

What I have read so far I am enjoying and am intent on reading the other 3 books. If anyone else is let me know.

Brian wrote: "Tracey the Bookworm wrote: "I have start reading and it reminds me a little of Kristin Lavransdatter in the style of writing and the descriptions of life, social order and religion in a..."

Lol. Thanks Brian. You made me laugh. I know exactly what you mean. I have just started The Palace walk and put it back down because I knew I would want to read the whole trilogy and don’t have time right now. It’s on my list for 2020 along with Undset’s The Master of Hestviken tetralogy and The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott.

Mikiko wrote: "lo and behold, someone had the series and was willing to give them a new home :-). Went to pick them up today. *big grin*..."

That is wonderful Mikiko! Not sure what your expat group is but how nice of someone to offer you the set! So exciting for you I am sure 😀🤗

Lesle wrote:

That is wonderful Mikiko! Not sure what your expat grou..."


It's an English speaking social group here in North Holland. Also consist of a bookclub that meets bimonthly. Finishing up one of the group's book now before starting with The Emigrants.

That sounds like an interesting group.

Finally started reading the book. So far so good especially after getting past the long introduction.

I've read through Chapter III. I like the chapter headings, especially the latest "What the Bedbugs Must Listen To," where Robert and Arvid are making plans for getting to the New World.

Kathy wrote: "I've read through Chapter III. I like the chapter headings, ..."

So do I. They pretty much sum up the chapters in one sentence.

Finished up part 1.
While on a 10hr flight from western USA back to Europe, I was reading about the decision and preparations of Karl Oskar and his family for leaving the old world for the new and thinking to myself how fortunate I was.

Travelling has certainly gotten safer and faster than in those times. But I think that the feelings we have on moving to a new land may not have changed that much since those days.

My parents and I emigrated to Canada when I was six years old, way back when. Most of my mother's family had already emigrated to Canada, but all my dad's family stayed in Germany. It took me a while to get adjusted, but I did like ice cream the first time I tried it.
My mother's family had to leave Transylvania towards the end of the second world war because the Russians were coming east into Romania, and the community was German speaking. So for them it was a much bigger change than for my dad.

And it is much easier to go back for visits than before airplanes. If you left your country, it was probably forever.

My sister in laws mother was put in an internment camp at the end of the war, she was from Czechoslovakia and German speaking. My SIL father was a British soldier part of a group that liberated the camp. He married her and brought her and her mother back to the UK. That was a nice ending to a horrendous experience. Many others were not as lucky. Sadly though she had to put up with a lot of hostility because of being German. She died just recently and was a really lovely woman.

I am a little behind because of a flu virus but I have just got to the end of part 1. I love the book. It is well written and there is so much in it; history, social commentary, comedy and tragedy. I am not surprised that it was voted # 1 book of the century by the Swedish people. I have already picked up book 2 in the series.

I like the chapter headings too 😊

I'm half way through and am enjoying all the details of preparations for the trip to America. Some of the things they think about America are very humorous. I wonder who wrote that book about America that Robert is reading. Misinformation!

In school, when we were taught American history, we read about immigration to the US but not so much in detail as to the reasons why (or at least I don't remember), so this book was an eyeopener for me.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed, if that's the right word, reading all the details he wrote of life in Sweden at that time and the family's preparation to emigrate. Also laughed at some of the things Robert was reading in regards to life in America.
When I was about 5yrs old, my family emigrated from Japan to the US. I don't remember much of this except that it was a big undertaking and also to travel back to visit my grandparents. When I was almost 30, I immigrated to Europe and remember how excited yet apprehensive I was to start a new life on another continent. A new land, a new language, a new culture. But I also knew that it would not be the last time I would see family and friends which in the time of Karl Oskar and family this was probably the case. Also that my journey took 7-8 hrs and not 2-3 months.

As for the ship's voyage, through his description, I felt as if I was making the journey with them.
Last summer I spent a week on a Dutch 2mast clipper (b1885) and again in Sept on another (b1914). I was thankful that we had our own sleeping cabin which was quite small but clean, with bunkbeds and a sink so we didn't have to share. I just could not imagine how it must have been for those who were making the voyage 50years earlier. It would have been claustrophobic I think.
And I could understand the captain's love for the sea and the distinction he made between those who were of the land and those who were of the sea. Which are you?

After reading the first of this series, I'm looking forward to reading the rest. I feel that I've gotten to know the characters and am emotionally vested in them. To see what happens to them after stepping off the ship.
Will America meet their expectations?

Tracey the Bookworm wrote: "I am a little behind because of a flu virus but I have just got to the end of part 1. I love the book. It is well written and there is so much in it; history, social commentary, comedy and tragedy...."

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Tracey the Bookworm wrote: "My sister in laws mother was put in an internment camp at the end of the war, she was from Czechoslovakia and German speaking. My SIL father was a British soldier part of a group that liberated the..."


Definitely a happy ending in such a different and horrendous time. Glad to hear that she was a lovely person despite having to put up with such difficulties in regards to her ethnicity.

Mikiko wrote: "In school, when we were taught American history, we read about immigration to the US but not so much in detail as to the reasons why (or at least I don't remember), so this book was an eyeopener fo..."

Thanks for sharing your experiences with emigration, Mikiko. It's very interesting to me, as I've lived within a 200 mile radius of my birthplace my whole life.

I haven't got to the journey across the ocean yet, but am looking forward to it. I love being near bodies of water, not sure if I'm a sea person though.

Mikiko wrote: "When I was almost 30, I immigrated to Europe and remember how excited yet apprehensive I was to start a new life on another continent. A new land, a new language, a new culture...."

You made this journey on your own? Wow very impressive.

I have lived within central Ohio all my life. Traveled yes but pick up and move without family would be too scary for me!

Tracey the Bookworm wrote: "My sister in laws mother was put in an internment camp at the end of the war, she was from Czechoslovakia and German speaking. My SIL father was a British soldier part of a group that liberated the..."

Thank you for sharing Tracey.

Tracey the Bookworm wrote: "What I have read so far I am enjoying and am intent on reading the other 3 books. If anyone else is let me know."

me too but not until after the holidays.

@Lesle,

Actually, I married a Dutch guy and then moved.
From age 5 to 11, we would move every 18 months (father was military) so my mother would only unpack the essentials for daily life then after we 'finally' settled down, she would eventually unpack all the boxes.
The moving wasn't the most exciting part, it was all the 'new' things. And I still love travelling.

I am still going with it and hope to keep going with the rest of the series. I will pop back and post a general impressions review after each one.

Mikiko wrote: "@Lesle,

Actually, I married a Dutch guy and then moved.
From age 5 to 11, we would move every 18 months (father was military) so my mother would only unpack the essentials for daily life then aft..."

That makes sense.

Chapter XV: A Cargo of Dreams - The author writes about each emigrant's thoughts and dreams as they are sailing to America. Each person expresses how they feel about the journey in the first person. I liked the author's choice in doing this. We learn a little more about each character.