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When I had finished the previous book, a book translated from Swedish, J handed me this book, another book from Sweden. I was not familiar with the author until I saw she had written Pippi Longstocking - and of course I had heard of Pipi, even though I had never read any of her adventures.

I had a great time with this book. Not only was it translated literature, but also kid lit, which I adore. The author made you really love the world in which Ronia is growing up - you could practically hear the river, and smell the scents of the forest. Ronia is a wonderful character, full of life and exuberance, and her adventures in the forest just sparkle. Her budding relationship with Birk feels very real, I think because the author did not opt to make it simple. It's complicated, as is Ronia's relationship to her family.

The characters in the book are not afraid to feel: the author gives them leave to gnash their teeth and throw things in anger, to wail and weep in sorrow, and leap and laugh with joy. And I think I liked that most of all.