Invandrarna

“She had emigrated and now she lived so far away that only her thoughts could carry her back.”

I am loving this series of novels detailing the immigrant experience of Swedish settlers coming into Minnesota during the 1850s. It's obvious the author did extensive historical research to capture the lived experience of this family, and he was skilled in writing to connect the reader with the emotional aspect of the characters. The differences between how men and women tended to adapt to their new home in America is well-drawn, and there are lots of opportunities to compare what the emigrant/immigrant experience was like then with the way it might be now for others.

The writing feels more authentic and lyrical with it being translated from Swedish and I think it really added to my enjoyment of the novel. Book #3 is on the fast-track to my currently-reading pile.