Hemsöborna följer fastlänningen Carlsson som kommer till Hemsö för att hjälpa till med änkan Flods lantbruk. Det skär sig snabbt mellan Carlsson och Flods son Gusten, som tycker att Carlsson är högfärdig. Carlsson får dock ordning på lantbruket och han får idén att hyra ut ett av husen till en professorsfamilj under sommaren, vilket ger hushållet extrapengar.

Carlsson förälskar sig i Ida, en av pigorna från Stockholm, men sin uppvaktning har han inget för, och nästa sommar gifter sig Carlsson med madam Flod. Den äkta sängen har dock inte mycket att erbjuda och Flod förstår snart att Carlsson är närgången mot pigorna. Hon smyger efter Carlsson en vinternatt och drar på sig lunginflammation. Under julen dör hon och när kistan ska föras till kyrkan går isen upp, kistan sjunker och Carlsson förmodas drunkna. (1887)

“In my own life, my great literary experience was Strindberg. There are works of his which can still make my hair stand on end – The People of Hemsö, for example.” - Ingmar Bergman

Wonderful characters, evocative, detailed writing, and a slice of life in the 19th century Stockholm archipelago make this a lovely read. Ludvig Rasmussen called it the “Great Swedish Novel, just as Madame Bovary is the Great French Novel and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the Great American Novel,” and it does seem to capture a certain spirit while telling its tale. The writing is focused and comes across as very authentic, both in the knowledge Strindberg had picked up from his own time out on the islands, and also in its characters, who are balanced. One example at that are its pokes at religion via the character of the minister, but yet having the man speak a few words of wisdom. Strindberg is known for his highly misogynistic views, but mercifully none of that is here. There are many fantastic scenes but the ending chapter out on the ice is in particular memorable. This would be a great book to read while traveling in Sweden.

Just this quote, on desire:
“Out in the meadows and among the hillocks, however, couple after couple strolled through the dewy grass by the faint twinkling light of the starry sky and, to the song of the crickets among the scented hay, sought to quench the fires kindled by the heat of the cottage, the spirit of the barley and the rhythmic pulse of the music.” ( )

Humbug. ( )

"He himself could never be a farmer. Or could he?",, 25 October 2015

This review is from: The People of Hemso (Series B) (Paperback)
Set in the outer skerries off Sweden's south coast, this is the story of Carlsson who comes to work on a failing farm. Owned by Madam Flod, a widow, whose son is more interested in going off fishing, Carlsson is soon able to make himself indispensable, and start working his way up the career ladder...
The descriptions of the scenery are superb, from the beauties of Midsummer to the wintry icefields; and Strindberg brings his characters to life, with all their longings and aspirations.
Highly enjoyable read. ( )

Fantastisk prosa uppläst med oerhörd inlevelse. ( )