Den allvarsamma leken in Never too Late to Read Classics

Jul 12, 2022 Chrissie rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2022-read, relationships, love, sweden, swedish-narration, hf, classics, library

I know I have enjoyed this book a lot, so I know I want to give it four stars. Putting my finger on why exactly I have enjoyed it so much has not been easy. I will explain.

The prose, written in Swedish is beautiful. There is a quietness conveyed. Words are sometimes repeated. You hear their melody. I would classify sections of the writing as prose poetry. We're meant to listen to the rhythm of the words. We are meant to think carefully about the message being conveyed. A word in one language and I know I have enjoyed this book a lot, so I know I want to give it four stars. Putting my finger on why exactly I have enjoyed it so much has not been easy. I will explain.

The prose, written in Swedish is beautiful. There is a quietness conveyed. Words are sometimes repeated. You hear their melody. I would classify sections of the writing as prose poetry. We're meant to listen to the rhythm of the words. We are meant to think carefully about the message being conveyed. A word in one language and in another may correspond to each other, but often they have at the same time different connotations. One must know how each word is to be used. The author’s Swedish words are filled with connotations, and they create an atmosphere, they add a magic to the reading experience. Söderberg is a master of prose.

The second reason why I like the book so much is that it speaks of places I know very well, places within a few minutes’ walk form where I live now or have lived before. The setting is Stockholm at the turn of the 20th century, but much still remains the same. The parks, the streets, the town squares, cemeteries, churches and theaters ae still all in the same places and are little changed. Buildings, winding alleyways and promontories are spoken of, and I see them. Actually, much is not even described. This is for me not necessary since I see them in my mind’s eye. I can envision them in every season. Stockholm is a beautiful old city. Memories of things done in the different places flood back while reading this book.

Now, let’s consider the plot, the story, what happens. A woman and a man meet when they are young. They are attracted to each other but end up each married to another. Then they meet again years later, and the attraction flares up again. How will this end? Must you have a sweet, happy ending? You might then want to read something else, but this all depends on the point of view you hold. Are you satisfied with a realistic ending? I am. I think the book draws characters in a convincing manner.

Krister Hendriksson has narrated this for Sveriges Radio. The narration is outstanding. When he whispers or lowers his voice in a confidential tone, you still hear exactly what is being said. The reading captures perfectly the atmosphere prevailing when the words are spoken. With the clearing of a throat an amusing message can be conveyed. Communication is delivered not merely through words; sounds work equally well given such a talented narrator as Hendriksson. The narration is in Swedish. If you understand Swedish, don’t hesitate a second before grabbing the audio version of the book. The narration is definitely worth the highest rating possible, so five stars. The speed of the narration is slow—we are meant to listen carefully to every word.

I think to really enjoy this book one should read it in Swedish if possible. I don’t think it is an easy book to translate.

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*Den allvarsamma leken 4 stars
*Doktor Glas TBR again (3 stars translated version)
*Gertrud TBR ...more

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