Scandinavia: More Recommended Reading and Viewing
Non-Fiction
For a solid grasp on Scandinavia's past, try A History of Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland (Derry), or Scandinavia Since 1500 (Nordstrom). The history of the Swedish people from feudalism to democracy is recorded in Sweden: The Nation's History (Scott). The Vikings (Else Roesdhal) offers a Scandinavian perspective on this complex Nordic society.
For insight into Hans Christian Anderson, try his autobiography, The Fairy Tale of My Life, and Jens Andersen's biography Hans Christian Anderson: A New Life. Scandinavian Folk and Fairy Tales (Boos) is a good compilation. Peter Tveskov combines historical fact with childhood memories of Denmark under German occupation during World War II in Conquered, Not Defeated. Norwegian biologist Thor Heyerdahl records his historic 1947 journey from Peru to Polynesia on a balsa-wood raft in Kon-Tiki.
Fiction
Read a collection of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tales: The Little Mermaid, The Little Match Girl, The Princess and the Pea, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, and many more. Also beloved by children of all ages are the Pippi Longstocking books by Sweden's Astrid Lindgren.
Swede Selma Lagerlöf was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature (w. 1909) for her fantastical children's novel, The Wonderful Adventures of Nils. Nobel Prize winners by Norwegians include Knut Hamsum's influential Growth of the Soil (w. 1920) and Sigrid Undset's epic Kristin Lavransdatter (w. 1928).
Music and Silence by Rose Tremain captures 17th-century Denmark through the eyes of a lute-player at court. The Emigrants is the first of Vilhelm Moberg's four-volume epic about Swedish immigrants settling the American frontier. The multi-generational saga Hanna's Daughters by Marianne Fredriksson traces a Swedish family from the 1870s through World War II. Norwegian playright Henrik Ibsen's controversial plays explore the role of women in the 19th century (try A Doll's House or Hedda Gabler). A 19th-century Frenchwoman takes refuge in Denmark in Babette's Feast by Karen Blixen.
Gripping intrigue and social commentary combine in the literary thriller Smilla's Sense of Snow by Dane Peter Høeg. Also try Faceless Killers, the first of several Kurt Wallender mysteries by Swedish crime-writer Henning Mankell. Sophie's World, by Norwegan Jostein Gaarder, is a metaphysical mystery wrapped up in the history of philosophy.
Films with a Nordic Accent
Watch any of Oscar-winning Swedish director Ingmar Bergman's films, especially The Seventh Seal (1957, a knight questions the meaning of life), Smiles of a Summer Night (1955, turn-of-the-century frolic), and Fanny & Alexander (1983, children overcome father's death).
Song of Norway (1970) is a musical based on the life of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Bergman alums Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann star in The Emigrants and The New Land (1971, 1972) based on the Moberg novels. The bittersweet My Life as a Dog (1985) shows Sweden in the 1950s, while the "original foodie movie," Babette's Feast (1988), is set in rural 19th-century Denmark (and based on the book by Karen Blixen cited above). Pelle the Conqueror (1988) examines Swedish immigration to Denmark in the 19th century, and Kristin Lavransdatter (1995) is a much-condensed version of the epic novel. The midnight sun plays a role in the Norwegian thriller Insomnia (1997). A young Finnish boy is evacuated to Sweden during World War II in Mother of Mine (2005).
Julia Ormond had the title role in the dramatic film adaptation of Smilla's Sense of Snow (1997). For lighter fare, try comedies such as Italian for Beginners (2000, Danish thirtysomethings learn Italian), Together (2000, life in a 1970s Stockholm commune), Elling (2001, oddballs make it on their own), and Dalecarlians (2005, big city sister returns to rural hometown). The quirky Cool & Crazy (2001) is an uplifting documentary about a Norwegian mens' choir, while As It Is in Heaven (2004) recounts a Swedish conductor's search for happiness.
For lots more information, check out our best-selling Rick Steves' Scandinavia guidebook — or join us on one of our free-spirited tours in Europe.