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Hjalmar Söderberg

August 04, 2023

Hjalmar Emil Fredrik Söderberg (2 July 1869 – 14 October 1941) was a Swedish novelist, short story writer, playwright and journalist. His works often deal with melancholy and lovelorn characters, and offer a rich portrayal of contemporary Stockholm through the eyes of the flaneur. Söderberg is regarded as one of the greatest writers in Swedish literature. His works are translated to more than twenty languages.

Hjalmar Söderberg
Söderberg in 1907
BornHjalmar Emil Fredrik Söderberg
(1869-07-02)2 July 1869
Stockholm, Sweden–Norway
Died14 October 1941(1941-10-14) (aged 72)
Copenhagen, Denmark
NationalitySwedish
Period1888–1941
Notable works
Spouse
Children
Statue of Hjalmar Söderberg in front of the National Library of Sweden in Humlegården, Stockholm.

Biography

Born in Stockholm, Söderberg began his literary course at the Swedish news daily Svenska Dagbladet, age 20. Six years later his first novel was released, Förvillelser (Delusions, 1895), written from the viewpoint of a young dandy aimlessly idling in the capital, recklessly squandering money and love. The somber yet reflective and insightful story would prove typical of much of Söderberg's output. Subsequent to the release of Historietter (1898), a collection of twenty short stories, his next major work – Martin Bircks Ungdom (Martin Birck's Youth, 1901) – was released. Much like Förvillelser in terms of its vivid environmental depiction and acute perception, it follows the development of a young amateur poet. Söderberg's next novel, by some considered his masterpiece, was Doktor Glas (Doctor Glas, 1905). In a frightful tale of vengeance and passion, Söderberg stays true to his detached yet emotionally poignant writing style. The love story Den allvarsamma leken (The Serious Game, 1912) was Söderberg's last conventional novel.

A prolific short story writer, Söderberg published numerous stories in magazines and newspapers that was later collected in short story collections. Following his most famous book of short stories Historietter, these include Främlingarna ("The Strangers", 1903), Det mörknar öfver vägen ("It Is Darkening Over the Road", 1907) and Den talangfulla draken ("The Talented Dragon", 1913).[1]

Söderberg was also a playwright, best known for Gertrud (1906) about the woman Gertrud who abstain the mediocre love from her husband and two lovers and choose to live in loneliness in waiting for the perfect love that may not be. He also wrote the plays Aftonstjärnan ("The Evening Star", 1912) and Ödestimmen ("The Hour of Destiny", 1922).[1]

In his later years, Söderberg turned to journalism and theological studies. His books about Jesus, the novel Jesus Barabbas (1928) and the scientific study Den förvandlade Messias (1932, "The Transformed Messiah"), were highly controversial at the time. In the books Söderberg claimed that Jesus and Barabbas were in fact the same person, and that Jesus was never crucified.[2] His later books also included a collection of poems (Vers och varia, 1921) and a collection of various prose (Resan till Rom, 1929). Söderberg was also an acclaimed translator, translating works by Anatole France, Guy de Maupassant, Charles Baudelaire and Heinrich Heine to Swedish.[2]

He was a fierce critic of Nazism, and wrote often on the subject in the revered Resistance paper Göteborgs Handels- och Sjöfartstidning. He died in Denmark and is buried on Vestre Kirkegård in Copenhagen.

Söderberg was married to Märta Abenius (1871–1932) from 1899 to 1917. They had three children: actress Dora Söderberg-Carlsten (1899–1990), Tom Söderberg (1900–1991), and Mikael Söderberg (1903–1931). From 1917 he was married in Denmark to Emelie Voss (1876–1957), with whom he had one child: actress Betty Søderberg (1910–1993).

Söderberg had a stormy on/off relationship with Maria von Platen (1871–1959) for a number of years; this relationship which is said to have influenced him in his writing, especially his 1906 play Gertrud, and the character of Lydia in The Serious Game.

Themes

The characters in Söderberg's stories always appear to suffer from an incurable loneliness, standing on the side of the events observing themselves and their environment. Feelings of melancholy and nostalgia are prominent. Determinism is a recurring theme in Söderberg's writing. It is a prominent theme in all of his novels, particularly in Doktor Glas and The Serious Game. The latter book has the motto "You do not choose your destiny", which could be the motto of Söderberg's entire authorship.[3]

Legacy

Hjalmar Söderberg is regarded as one of the greatest writers in Swedish literature. His works are still widely read and are frequently published in new editions. His works are translated to more than twenty languages.[2]

A recent reissue of Paul Britten Austin's translation of Doktor Glas into English, as Doctor Glas, and with a perceptive introduction by Margaret Atwood, has meant a rise in his popularity in the Anglo-Saxon literary world.

Quotations

  • "I believe in the lust of the flesh and the incurable isolation of the soul." (From Doctor Glas, later used in Gertrud)
  • "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." (From Doctor Glas)

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, the latest 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.

References

  1. ^ a b Lotta Lotass. "Hjalmar Söderberg". Litteraturbanken.
  2. ^ a b c Bure Holmbäck Hjalmar Söderberg Söderbergsällskapet (in Swedish)
  3. ^ Lotta Lotass. "Hjalmar Söderberg (1869-1941)" (in Swedish). Litteraturbanken.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hjalmar Söderberg.
  • short story by Hjalmar Söderberg
  • Introduction to Doctor Glas by Margaret Atwood
Books

August 04, 2023
hjalmar, söderberg, hjalmar, emil, fredrik, söderberg, july, 1869, october, 1941, swedish, novelist, short, story, writer, playwright, journalist, works, often, deal, with, melancholy, lovelorn, characters, offer, rich, portrayal, contemporary, stockholm, thro. Hjalmar Emil Fredrik Soderberg 2 July 1869 14 October 1941 was a Swedish novelist short story writer playwright and journalist His works often deal with melancholy and lovelorn characters and offer a rich portrayal of contemporary Stockholm through the eyes of the flaneur Soderberg is regarded as one of the greatest writers in Swedish literature His works are translated to more than twenty languages Hjalmar SoderbergSoderberg in 1907BornHjalmar Emil Fredrik Soderberg 1869 07 02 2 July 1869Stockholm Sweden NorwayDied14 October 1941 1941 10 14 aged 72 Copenhagen DenmarkNationalitySwedishPeriod1888 1941Notable worksHistorietter Martin Birck s Youth Doctor Glas Gertrud Hjartats oro The Serious Game OdestimmenSpouseMarta Abenius 1899 1917 Emilie Voss 1917 1941 ChildrenDora Tom Mikael BettyStatue of Hjalmar Soderberg in front of the National Library of Sweden in Humlegarden Stockholm Contents 1 Biography 2 Themes 3 Legacy 4 Quotations 5 List of works 6 Works in English 7 References 8 External linksBiography EditBorn in Stockholm Soderberg began his literary course at the Swedish news daily Svenska Dagbladet age 20 Six years later his first novel was released Forvillelser Delusions 1895 written from the viewpoint of a young dandy aimlessly idling in the capital recklessly squandering money and love The somber yet reflective and insightful story would prove typical of much of Soderberg s output Subsequent to the release of Historietter 1898 a collection of twenty short stories his next major work Martin Bircks Ungdom Martin Birck s Youth 1901 was released Much like Forvillelser in terms of its vivid environmental depiction and acute perception it follows the development of a young amateur poet Soderberg s next novel by some considered his masterpiece was Doktor Glas Doctor Glas 1905 In a frightful tale of vengeance and passion Soderberg stays true to his detached yet emotionally poignant writing style The love story Den allvarsamma leken The Serious Game 1912 was Soderberg s last conventional novel A prolific short story writer Soderberg published numerous stories in magazines and newspapers that was later collected in short story collections Following his most famous book of short stories Historietter these include Framlingarna The Strangers 1903 Det morknar ofver vagen It Is Darkening Over the Road 1907 and Den talangfulla draken The Talented Dragon 1913 1 Soderberg was also a playwright best known for Gertrud 1906 about the woman Gertrud who abstain the mediocre love from her husband and two lovers and choose to live in loneliness in waiting for the perfect love that may not be He also wrote the plays Aftonstjarnan The Evening Star 1912 and Odestimmen The Hour of Destiny 1922 1 In his later years Soderberg turned to journalism and theological studies His books about Jesus the novel Jesus Barabbas 1928 and the scientific study Den forvandlade Messias 1932 The Transformed Messiah were highly controversial at the time In the books Soderberg claimed that Jesus and Barabbas were in fact the same person and that Jesus was never crucified 2 His later books also included a collection of poems Vers och varia 1921 and a collection of various prose Resan till Rom 1929 Soderberg was also an acclaimed translator translating works by Anatole France Guy de Maupassant Charles Baudelaire and Heinrich Heine to Swedish 2 He was a fierce critic of Nazism and wrote often on the subject in the revered Resistance paper Goteborgs Handels och Sjofartstidning He died in Denmark and is buried on Vestre Kirkegard in Copenhagen Soderberg was married to Marta Abenius 1871 1932 from 1899 to 1917 They had three children actress Dora Soderberg Carlsten 1899 1990 Tom Soderberg 1900 1991 and Mikael Soderberg 1903 1931 From 1917 he was married in Denmark to Emelie Voss 1876 1957 with whom he had one child actress Betty Soderberg 1910 1993 Soderberg had a stormy on off relationship with Maria von Platen 1871 1959 for a number of years this relationship which is said to have influenced him in his writing especially his 1906 play Gertrud and the character of Lydia in The Serious Game Themes EditThe characters in Soderberg s stories always appear to suffer from an incurable loneliness standing on the side of the events observing themselves and their environment Feelings of melancholy and nostalgia are prominent Determinism is a recurring theme in Soderberg s writing It is a prominent theme in all of his novels particularly in Doktor Glas and The Serious Game The latter book has the motto You do not choose your destiny which could be the motto of Soderberg s entire authorship 3 Legacy EditHjalmar Soderberg is regarded as one of the greatest writers in Swedish literature His works are still widely read and are frequently published in new editions His works are translated to more than twenty languages 2 A recent reissue of Paul Britten Austin s translation of Doktor Glas into English as Doctor Glas and with a perceptive introduction by Margaret Atwood has meant a rise in his popularity in the Anglo Saxon literary world Quotations Edit I believe in the lust of the flesh and the incurable isolation of the soul From Doctor Glas later used in Gertrud 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 From Doctor Glas List of works EditForvillelser 1895 Delusions Historietter 1898 Short Stories Martin Bircks ungdom 1901 Martin Birck s Youth Framlingarne 1903 The Strangers Doktor Glas 1905 Doctor Glas Gertrud 1906 play in three acts Det morknar over vagen 1907 It Is Darkening Over The Road Valda sidor 1908 Taken Sides Hjartats oro 1909 Worry of the Heart Den allvarsamma leken 1912 The Serious Game Aftonstjarnan 1912 The Evening Star play in one act Den talangfulla draken 1913 The Talented Dragon Jahves eld 1918 The Fire of Jahve Odestimmen 1922 The Hour of Destiny play in three acts Jesus Barabbas Ur lojtnant Jagerstams memoarer 1928 Resan till Rom 1929 Trip to Rome Den forvandlade Messias 1932 The Changed Transformed Messiah Works in English EditModern 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 the latest 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 References Edit a b Lotta Lotass Hjalmar Soderberg Litteraturbanken a b c Bure Holmback Hjalmar Soderberg Soderbergsallskapet in Swedish Lotta Lotass Hjalmar Soderberg 1869 1941 in Swedish Litteraturbanken External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hjalmar Soderberg Spleen short story by Hjalmar Soderberg Introduction to Doctor Glas by Margaret AtwoodBooksHjalmar Soderberg at Project Runeberg Works by Hjalmar Soderberg at Project Gutenberg Works by or about Hjalmar Soderberg at Internet Archive Historietter at Swedish Wikisource Short Stories Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hjalmar Soderberg amp oldid 1167210949, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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