Hjalmar Söderberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hjalmar Söderberg
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Söderberg in 1907
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| Born | Hjalmar Emil Fredrik Söderberg 2 July 1869 Stockholm, Sweden |
| Died | 14 October 1941 (aged 72) Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Period | 1888–1941 |
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Hjalmar Emil Fredrik Söderberg (born July 2, 1869 – died October 14, 1941) was a famous Swedish writer. He wrote novels, short stories, plays, and worked as a journalist.
His stories often feature characters who feel a bit sad or lonely. They also give a great look at what Stockholm, Sweden, was like during his time. Many people consider Söderberg one of the most important writers in Swedish literature. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages.
Contents
About Hjalmar Söderberg
His Life and Career
Hjalmar Söderberg was born in Stockholm. He started his writing career at a Swedish newspaper called Svenska Dagbladet when he was 20 years old.
Six years later, his first novel, Förvillelser (which means "Delusions"), was published in 1895. This book was about a young man exploring the city. It showed Söderberg's style of writing, which was often thoughtful and a little serious.
Famous Books and Stories
After Förvillelser, he released Historietter (1898), a collection of twenty short stories. His next big book was Martin Bircks Ungdom (Martin Birck's Youth, 1901). This novel also painted a clear picture of the city and followed a young poet's journey.
Many people think his best work is Doktor Glas (Doctor Glas, 1905). It's a gripping story that still uses his calm but emotional writing style. Den allvarsamma leken (The Serious Game, 1912) was his last traditional novel.
Söderberg wrote many short stories for magazines and newspapers. These were later put into collections like Främlingarna ("The Strangers", 1903) and Det mörknar öfver vägen ("It Is Darkening Over the Road", 1907).
Plays and Later Works
He was also a playwright. His most famous play is Gertrud (1906). It's about a woman named Gertrud who chooses to live alone, hoping for a perfect love. He also wrote Aftonstjärnan ("The Evening Star", 1912) and Ödestimmen ("The Hour of Destiny", 1922).
In his later years, Söderberg focused on journalism and studying religion. He wrote books about Jesus, including Jesus Barabbas (1928). He also wrote a collection of poems and other writings.
Söderberg was a skilled translator. He translated works by famous writers like Anatole France and Guy de Maupassant into Swedish. He was also a strong critic of Nazism. He often wrote about it in a newspaper called Göteborgs Handels- och Sjöfartstidning. He passed away in Denmark and is buried in Copenhagen.
His Family
Hjalmar Söderberg was married to Märta Abenius from 1899 to 1917. They had three children: Dora, Tom, and Mikael. Later, he married Emelie Voss in Denmark in 1917. They had one child, Betty.
What He Wrote About
Söderberg's characters often feel a sense of loneliness. They tend to observe events from a distance. Feelings of sadness and looking back at the past are common in his stories.
A key idea in his writing is Determinism. This means the belief that everything that happens is already decided and cannot be changed. This idea is very clear in his novels, especially in Doktor Glas and The Serious Game. The motto for The Serious Game is "You do not choose your destiny," which sums up much of Söderberg's work.
His Lasting Impact
Hjalmar Söderberg is still considered one of the most important writers in Swedish literature. His books are still widely read today and are often printed in new editions. His works have been translated into more than twenty languages, showing his global reach.
His novel Doktor Glas was re-released in English with an introduction by the famous author Margaret Atwood. This helped him become more popular in English-speaking countries.
Famous Words
Here is a well-known quote from his book Doctor Glas:
- "One wants to be loved, in lack thereof admired, in lack thereof feared, in lack thereof loathed and despised. One wants to instill some sort of emotion in people. The soul trembles before emptiness and desires contact at any price."
List of Works
- Förvillelser (1895) – "Delusions"
- Historietter (1898) – "Short Stories"
- Martin Bircks ungdom (1901) – "Martin Birck's Youth"
- Främlingarne (1903) – "The Strangers"
- Doktor Glas (1905) – "Doctor Glas"
- Gertrud (1906) (play in three acts)
- Det mörknar över vägen (1907) – "It Is Darkening Over The Road"
- Valda sidor (1908) – "Taken Sides"
- Hjärtats oro (1909) – "Worry of the Heart"
- Den allvarsamma leken (1912) – "The Serious Game"
- Aftonstjärnan (1912) – "The Evening Star" (play in one act)
- Den talangfulla draken (1913) – "The Talented Dragon"
- Jahves eld (1918) – "The Fire of Jahve"
- Ödestimmen (1922) – "The Hour of Destiny" (play in three acts)
- Jesus Barabbas. Ur löjtnant Jägerstams memoarer (1928)
- Resan till Rom (1929) – "Trip to Rome"
- Den förvandlade Messias (1932) – "The Changed/Transformed Messiah"
Works in English
- Modern Swedish masterpieces, (1923) translated by Charles Wharton Stork.
- Martin Birck's Youth, (1930) translated by Charles Wharton Stork.
- Selected Short Stories, (1935) translated by Charles Wharton Stork.
- Doctor Glas, (1963) translated by Paul Britten Austin. In 2002, a newer edition was published by Anchor Books with an introduction by Canadian author Margaret Atwood.
- Short Stories, (1987) translated by Carl Lofmark.
- The Serious Game, (2001) translated by Eva Claeson.
- Martin Birck's Youth, (2004) translated by Tom Ellett.
- Diversions, (2014) translated by David Barrett.
See also
In Spanish: Hjalmar Söderberg para niños
