The Emigrants Audiobook By Vilhelm Moberg, Gustaf Lannestock - translator, Roger McKnight - introduction cover art

The Emigrants

Emigrant Novels Series, Book 1

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The Emigrants

By: Vilhelm Moberg, Gustaf Lannestock - translator, Roger McKnight - introduction
Narrated by: Ann Marie Arvdal Richardson
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Considered one of Sweden's greatest 20th century writers, Vilhelm Moberg created Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson to portray the joys and tragedies of daily life for early Swedish pioneers in America. His consistently faithful depiction of these humble people's lives is a major strength of the Emigrant Novels.

Moberg's extensive research in the papers of Swedish emigrants in archival collections, including the Minnesota Historical Society, enabled him to incorporate many details of pioneer life. First published between 1949 and 1959 in Swedish, these four books were considered a single work by Moberg, who intended that they be read as documentary novels. These editions contain introductions written by Roger McKnight, Gustavus Adolphus College.

Book 1 introduces Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson, their three young children, and 11 others who make up a resolute party of Swedes fleeing the poverty, religious persecution, and social oppression of Småland in 1850.

©1949 Vilhelm Moberg; Translation copyright 1951 by Gustaf Lannestock; New material copyright 1995 by the Minnesota Historical Society (P)2021 Tantor Historical Fiction Swedish Historical Fiction
Historical Depth • Engaging Characters • Perfect Voice • Witty Humor • Emotional Storytelling • Realistic Portrayal
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Interesting book full of details about the way of life of country people in Sweden in 1850, with well defined characters that soon become familiar and captivate the readers, who get curious to follow their adventures as emigrants. The reader is excellent, with a pleasant voice and expression, and a cadence suitable to the style of story.

Great human interest novel

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This story was interesting to me since I have ancestors that came from Sweden. Although they came a bit later. The story added depth to my perceptions about communications in that time period, education levels, and the church in Sweden essentially being part of the local government. Neat piece, it does take some patience to stay with it since it sounds so dry.

Great story

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I first watched the movies from the 70s and really enjoyed them. I enjoyed this book a lot wish the others were available on audible.

great tale

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--One of my sisters has been living in Sweden for 40 years. Years ago, she and her children gave me the 4 books in this series. It took me a while to read them and thereby appreciate the gift that they had given me. I have enjoyed this audio version of the first book and hope that Audible will publish the other three books soon.
--The reader has a soft modest voice that threatened to be boring at first. Then I realized that she was pronouncing the Swedish names and terms faithfully. With that I came to appreciate her voice to the point of bonding with it by the end of this first book.
--The prose is modest in tone. And the story builds slowly. Maybe I should say that the story builds a shovel full at a time. Soon there is a world there. By the end I am both eager and afraid to follow these characters into America. I was surprised and delighted when, halfway into the story, sexuality and even bawdiness begin enriching the tale.
--I can't help but wonder how much talent, love and work went into this deceptively modest epic.

The story works its way slowly into your heart.

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This is one of the best books I’ve read in years! I could hardly put it down. Please put the other 3 books in this series on Audible!!

Excellent book!

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My own ancestors having emigrated from Sweden, I have wanted to read this series for years. The movie depiction had rendered it so dark that it never made it to the top of my reading list. Audiobook format was the perfect solution, especially as accompaniment to a solo cross-country road trip. While there are depictions of the trials and tribulations of emigrant life, this story was not dark and depressing like the movie.

Realistic History in Story Form

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I have read The Emigrants 4-5 times. Because it is that good a book.
But this is the first time I have listened to the story.
This was a great experience. Ms Ann Marie Arvdal Richardson has the perfect voice. Highly recommended audiobook.

Wonderful narration

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Had to buy the rest on Kindle because there is no audible version. Couldn’t put this down!

Absolutely Amazing!

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This novel gives some idea of the challenges and trials of Swedish Emigrants in the 19th century. The book has been written with wit and dry humor. The reading performance is excellent.

What was it like to be an Emigrant?

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as a person of Scandinavian descent, I was particularly taken with a novel. it was well written and taught me so much about the situation of those who immigrated from Sweden to the US in the 19th century. the book is amusing and the characters are well drawn. the history I learned about the oppressive and authoritarian lifestyle of farmers and peasants in 1850 Sweden gave me a far deeper understanding of why one and eight chose to immigrate and the attractions that the US held for those who came. I did think the male author emphasized certain sexual issues beyond his understanding.

All we didn't know about where so many of us came from!

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