Simon's Family

by Marianne Fredriksson

Book Overview

The author of the #1 international bestseller Hannah's Daughters presents a haunting novel that traces the extraordinary relationship between a mother and son--a powerful story of survival and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345434595
• ISBN13: 9780345434593
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 347 Pages
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Simon's Family: A Novel of Mothers and Sons

The sender was prompt. I haven't seen the copy of the book myself since it was a present to someone not near where I live, but I gather it was fine.

A Masterpiece in down to earth wisdom

This book ranks among the 10 best titles I've ever read. Not particularly because of the narrative which is dang good, but Marianne Frederiksson has a very gentle way of addressing some of the most important aspects of life in a very gentle way. Family relationships, births, deaths, friendship and overarching question of the maning of life. This is done in a very gentle way as the story unreveals, and after a while i found myself equipped with quite a few thoughts which proved very enlightening to my own life. In the strong description of the lifes of the characters, you can't escape the feeling that life is all about love. Giving words to that feeling is not an easy task, but Marianne Frederiksson certainly achieves excactly that. This book made me realize something that I'd long forgotten about, but nevertheless carried along all the way. At the bottom line life is beautyfull and important. Money can't buy you love. Well in this case it can.

Powerful

I just finished Simon's Family this afternoon. It was a very moving and powerful book for me. It was so intense in parts that I had to put it aside a couple times to let myself really take in what I had experienced from it. Thank you Marianne Fredriksson, I loved this book even more than Hanna's Daughters. Several parts of it actually took my breath away. Highly recommended.

Magic, Myth, and Reality

Simon's Family is a story from Sweden, full of magic, myth, and reality. The majestic landscape of towering forests, ancient oaks, and roaring sea sets the stage for a story of family that encompasses not only blood ties but those of race, nationality, and religion. The call of ancient religions weaves its tale throughout the story as the idea of archetypal myth influences present day lives through dream and imagination. The story begins in the 1920's and travels through the horrors of World War II and on into the post war world. The effects of the Holocaust are a theme that runs through the book along with the tolerance practiced by many Swedes. Politics is also a theme that is handled well and is not overbearing. The ideas of fairness and responsibility are influences on the characters's lives that give the book additional depth. The close and inevitable ties that exist between a mother and child are examined in depth with Karin, the loving and kind mother who overcomes her own sorrows to become a mother to several children who become her own. Several of the characters are scared by destructive relationships with parents, and they must overcome these memories in order to become whole in their adult lives. The special relationship that can exist between a mother and son is also well examined with love and perception, and we are left with an overall feeling of wholeness. All in all, this is a lovely book, one filled with myth and magic, but also a perception of the reality of life that is alive and glowing.

Marianne's books will touch your heart and soul.

I'm happy to see that Simon's Family now is translated into English. You will not regret that you read this book! It's as story about survival and transcendence, sacrifice and forgiveness. How to heal, find out who you are.... Marianne's books will touch your heart and soul. Enjoy :-)