Samuel August from Sevedstorp and Hanna i Hult facts for kids

Samuel August from Sevedstorp and Hanna i Hult is a special book by Astrid Lindgren. It tells the true love story of her own parents, Samuel August Erikson and Hanna Jonsson. It's a heartwarming tale about how they met and fell in love in Sweden.

Their Amazing Love Story

The story begins when Samuel August is thirteen years old. He meets Hanna, who is nine, and is immediately smitten. Soon after, Samuel August leaves school. He doesn't see Hanna for a long time.

When he turns eighteen, Samuel August works as a farmhand. One day, he gets the chance to rent a vicarage called Näs near Vimmerby. He becomes the new tenant there. Even then, he rarely sees Hanna.

Years pass, and Samuel August is now 25. He spots Hanna at a festival. Many other men are interested in her, and Samuel August feels shy. He doesn't think Hanna would ever choose him.

Later, at a wedding, Hanna realizes that Samuel August likes her. She bravely invites him to go for a walk with her. Hanna even promises to sew his initials onto his hat!

After their walk, Samuel August doesn't see Hanna for a few months. So, he decides to write her a letter. Hanna writes back, and they start exchanging letters.

One day, Samuel August unexpectedly meets Hanna in Vimmerby. They share tea together. He then asks Hanna if they could live together. Hanna says they can't decide that alone. But she gives Samuel August his very first kiss!

Hanna thinks about it for a while. Finally, they get married on June 30, 1905. Two weeks later, Samuel August brings his new wife to Näs. They live happily there together for 56 more years. Samuel August loved Hanna so much that he told her every single day.

About the Book

This book shares the beautiful love story of Astrid Lindgren's parents. It was first published in Sweden in 1975. The Swedish title is Samuel August från Sevedstorp och Hanna i Hult.

An audiobook version was also released. Astrid Lindgren herself read the story for the audiobook. The book has been translated into many different languages.

In 2007, parts of the book were translated into English. These were published in a magazine called Swedish Book Review. One essay, I remember... (Minnes...), was translated by Patricia Crampton. Another, Short Talk with a Prospective Children’s Writer, was translated by Roger G. Tanner.

In 1999, people in Sweden voted this story as the "love story of the century."

Besides the main love story, the Swedish book also includes other essays. For example, Det började i Kristins kök tells how Astrid Lindgren's neighbor, Kristin, helped her love reading. Kristin read the first books to Astrid. Another essay, Minnes.... (Let us remember), is about Astrid's own childhood memories. It was inspired by a poem.

In 2015, one essay from the book was released on its own. This was Luise Justine Mejer : en kärlekshistoria från 1700-talets Tyskland. It's about a German book with love letters from the 1700s. Astrid Lindgren was very touched by this story.

Different Editions

Here are some of the ways this book has been published:

• Samuel August från Sevedstorp och Hanna i Hult (1975), This is the original Swedish book.
• Das entschwundene Land (1977), This is the German version.
• Samuel August from Sevedstorp and Hanna from Hult (2007), You can find this English version in the Swedish Book Review magazine.
• I remember... (1988), This English essay was in the journal Signal: Approaches to Children's Books.
• I remember... (2002), Another English version of this essay was in the Swedish Book Review.
• Short Talk with a Prospective Children’s Writer (1973), This English essay was in The Horn Book Magazine.

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