Astrid and Veronika
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
8 journalers for this copy...
2005. Penguin Books paperback 2007 246 p.
Veronika, a young writer from New Zealand, rents a house in a small village in the midst of a harsh Swedish winter. She has come here alone hoping to come to terms with a recent tragedy while finishing her latest novel. Her arrival is observed by Astrid, her elderly, reclusive neighbour who harbours a dark secret from her past. Astrid offers Veronika companionship in her grief, and the two embark on an unusual and unexpected friendship. As the seasons change around them, Astrid and Veronika slowly reveal their stories to one another, and what happens between them over the course of a year will change both of their lives forever.
A beautiful story about the friendship between two women. Each of them has her lost love, as well as her guilt. Each of them has met with much death and sorrow.
Perhaps the author has loaded her debut novel with even too much tragedy in her intention to create a touching story. Anyway, her persons arouse much pondering. Did Astrid, in her shame, purposely sentence herself to prison-like loneliness? When one lives a lot of his/her time alone and with scanty communication, what will become of him/her? What happened to Astrid in the end? Wasn’t Veronika going to visit her at all any more?
The author, like Veronika, is originally Swedish and living in NZ. (It was cosy to meet Swedishes like lingon and gravlax among the English text.) She writes in English instead of her mother tongue (this book is translated into Swedish, but by someone else), but instead quotes her own translations of Swedish poetry.
-ruzena
Kirjaviesti Suomessa -varaus.
Veronika, a young writer from New Zealand, rents a house in a small village in the midst of a harsh Swedish winter. She has come here alone hoping to come to terms with a recent tragedy while finishing her latest novel. Her arrival is observed by Astrid, her elderly, reclusive neighbour who harbours a dark secret from her past. Astrid offers Veronika companionship in her grief, and the two embark on an unusual and unexpected friendship. As the seasons change around them, Astrid and Veronika slowly reveal their stories to one another, and what happens between them over the course of a year will change both of their lives forever.
A beautiful story about the friendship between two women. Each of them has her lost love, as well as her guilt. Each of them has met with much death and sorrow.
Perhaps the author has loaded her debut novel with even too much tragedy in her intention to create a touching story. Anyway, her persons arouse much pondering. Did Astrid, in her shame, purposely sentence herself to prison-like loneliness? When one lives a lot of his/her time alone and with scanty communication, what will become of him/her? What happened to Astrid in the end? Wasn’t Veronika going to visit her at all any more?
The author, like Veronika, is originally Swedish and living in NZ. (It was cosy to meet Swedishes like lingon and gravlax among the English text.) She writes in English instead of her mother tongue (this book is translated into Swedish, but by someone else), but instead quotes her own translations of Swedish poetry.
-ruzena
Kirjaviesti Suomessa -varaus.
Journal Entry 2 by 
ruzena
at Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Sunday, July 19, 2009
ruzena at Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Sunday, July 19, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (7/20/2009 UTC) at Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Postia krossari Piikulle!
Postia krossari Piikulle!
Journal Entry 3 by 
Piiku
from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Piiku from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The book is here, thank you ruzena. Must say that the wild strawberries on the cover look delicious!
Journal Entry 4 by Piiku from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, August 16, 2009
Piiku from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, August 16, 2009
A beautiful story about a friendship of two very different (..and yet so similar..) ladies. I could really see and smell the Swedish countryside and forests when reading this one.
This book travels along as a wishlist surprise.
This book travels along as a wishlist surprise.
Journal Entry 5 by Piiku from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, August 16, 2009
Piiku from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Sunday, August 16, 2009
Journal Entry 6 by lukutuoli from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Tuesday, August 18, 2009
lukutuoli from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Tuesday, August 18, 2009
OMG... what a surprise!! It was only three days ago, when I added this book on my wishlist after having read an article about it in a Finnish magazine - and today the book is waiting in my mailbox, ready to be read! You are an amazing spy, Piiku, thanks :D Thanks for registering the book to ruzena as well.
Journal Entry 7 by lukutuoli from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Saturday, October 3, 2009
lukutuoli from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Saturday, October 3, 2009
I just loved this story, and learned to love these two ladies as well. The basic tone of this book was melancholic, but it was beautifully written and a pleasure to read. Unfortunately the amount of tragedies in the lives of Astrid and Veronika decreased the book's credibility.
Thanks for sharing, ruzena and Piiku, and thanks to Piiku for translating "Saffron Milkcap" - I was just going to look for a dictionary, when I saw your journal entry :D
Thanks for sharing, ruzena and Piiku, and thanks to Piiku for translating "Saffron Milkcap" - I was just going to look for a dictionary, when I saw your journal entry :D
Picked up the book at the meetup this evening. I, too, have read about this book and was thinking whether I should read it or not. So it was a nice surprise to find it in the meeting :-)
I agree with the previous readers in many respects. It was a beautiful story of friendship, you really were able to smell and feel the nature and there was perhaps a little bit too much tragedy in the lives of the two extraordinary women to make it a truelly great story. In short, I really liked to book.
Journal Entry 10 by 
Bookgeo
from Pirkkala, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Thursday, January 14, 2010
Bookgeo from Pirkkala, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Thursday, January 14, 2010
Em64 gave this book to me in our local BC meeting. Many thanks, I have wished to read this after having seen so many positive comments about this book. I will read this and pass it on to other bookcrossers soon.
EDIT 11.3.2010 Myrtillus has this book on her wishlist in Finnish. I asked her if she would be interested in reading this in English.
EDIT 11.3.2010 Myrtillus has this book on her wishlist in Finnish. I asked her if she would be interested in reading this in English.
Really a precious book, very beautiful and touching story. Both fragile and strong at the same time. Pure, raw feelings, nothing described unnaturally. Compassion between the two ladies was very powerful. Also the rhythm in their activities was somehow soothing.
The book made to reflect on my own loss, the loss of my mother and our complicated relationship. The story was very moving for me and the ending brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this, this book will stay on my mind for a long time.
I will send the book forward to Pori tomorrow.
The book made to reflect on my own loss, the loss of my mother and our complicated relationship. The story was very moving for me and the ending brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this, this book will stay on my mind for a long time.
I will send the book forward to Pori tomorrow.
Journal Entry 12 by Bookgeo at To Fulfill A Wish, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, March 14, 2010
Bookgeo at To Fulfill A Wish, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, March 14, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (3/15/2010 UTC) at To Fulfill A Wish, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES: I am sending this book to myrtillus who has it on her wishlist. Enjoy and greetings from Tampere!
2010 Keep Them Moving # 11
PRKL-haaste # 11
Thank you for the book on my wishlist Bookgeo! I'll put it in my huge tbr-mountain, but wish I could read asap.
I liked very much this beautiful and sentimental story about a tender friendship between two women, young and old. This novel is almost like a poem or a song though the revealing secrets in the story aren't beautiful at all.
The book is on it's way to Tmarju.
Thank you for mailing this to me, Myrtillus!
Actually I picked this up from the Finnish "sikasäkki 2014" (~"pack of piglets" 2014).
I was positively surprised to see what I got.
Actually I picked this up from the Finnish "sikasäkki 2014" (~"pack of piglets" 2014).
I was positively surprised to see what I got.
I was checking my bookshelf and found this book. And I recognized it: I have read it already in Finnish. I liked it a lot, but I don't think I'm gonna read it again in English.
Thank you, Tmarju!
What a beautiful story. I really enjoyed reading it.
Journal Entry 20 by Hammu at Kouvolan pääkirjasto in Kouvola, Kymenlaakso / Kymmenedalen Finland on Monday, June 17, 2019
Released 4 yrs ago (6/17/2019 UTC) at Kouvolan pääkirjasto in Kouvola, Kymenlaakso / Kymmenedalen Finland
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Enjoy!
