A funny novel with a Hyde side

Kymmendö today

August Strindberg (who died in 1912) is the most succesful Swedish writer ever. His novels and theaterplays have been translated to many different languages. This particular novel, first published in 1887, has even been translated to the artificial language Esperanto!

In Sweden, "The people of Hemsö" ("Hemsöborna" in Swedish) is still immensely popular. I think most Swedes have read it. It's readily available in public libraries all over Sweden.

August Strindberg was something of a rebel most of his life. He was drawn to unconventional, anti-establishment ideas such as Nietzscheanism and Theosophy. Very late in life, he proclaimed himself a "Christian socialist" and expressed support for the labor movement. By contrast, the novel "Hemsöborna" is Strindberg's most conventional and non-political work. Perhaps this explains its enduring popularity. Strindberg even made a point of the novel's non-political character in a letter to his publisher. Many believe that Strindberg wrote "Hemsöborna" mostly because he needed cash. If so, it proved to be a lucky strike.

"Hemsöborna" is a combination of novel and ethnography. The characters and the plot are based on real people and real events. Strindberg had spent considerable time at Kymmendö, an island in the Stockholm Archipelago. He knew everything about "the village gossip". Later, he turned it into a novel. The people at Kymmendö (called Hemsö in the novel) were so upset about it, that they stopped Strindberg from ever returning to the island. Everybody else got a good laugh reading "Hemsöborna", with its intimate descriptions of bickering farmers and fishermen, extra-marital affairs and one particularly down-and-out priest.

I've never read the English translation, but in contrast to Strindberg's other works, "Hemsöborna" must be relatively easy to translate. It may be of some interest to Swedish-Americans who want to know how at least some Swedish farmers lived during the 19th century.

At the same time, I suspect that even this non-political novel has some kind of hidden message. Behind the humorous facade, life at Hemsö turns out to be dog-eat-dog. If you're stupid, you're eaten. If you fall, you're eaten even faster. The main characters are Madam Flood, her son Gusten and a stranger from the mainland named Carlsson. Gusten is portrayed as stupid and backward. Instead of taking care of Madam Flood's farm, which he will one day inherit, he spends most of his time fishing for subsistence and hunting for fun. Meanwhile, the farm deteriorates and the cows starve. Into this mess comes Carlsson, an expert farmer from the mainland, hired by Madam Flood. Through hard work and intelligence, Carlsson puts the farm back in order. He then marries Madam Flood and convinces her to disinherit Gusten. But when Carlsson is unfaithful with one of the maids, Madam Flood gives the farm back to Gusten, and then promptly dies. Carlsson is suddenly left destitute. On the way to Madam Flood's funeral, a terrible blizzard rocks the Archipelago. Gusten, the born hunter and fisherman, survives while poor Carlsson gets lost and dies. In the end, neither hard work, wits or even rank dishonesty pays. Who wins is decided by pure co-incidence. Thus, "Hemsobörna" could be read as a "Darwinist" novel.

Somehow, there is a Hyde side lurking here.