Hanna's Daughters
Fredriksson, MarianneIn modern-day Stockholm, Anna discovers a sepia photograph of her grandmother as a young woman, quite unlike the cold, forbidding person she thinks she knows. Curiosity leads Anna to discover the realities of past generations. Translated from Swedish.
Comments from Groups
We had a great discussion around this book. So many issues: history, the status of women, independence/dependence, old ways and new, Swedish ways and history - all relating to NZ. A highly recommended book. Perhaps slow to start but becomes compelling. Christchurch 203 We liked this book. It told us a lot about the lives of women in twentieth century Sweden. There were similarities and differences to life in New Zealand at the same time. The characters were very believable with faults and strengths. Lower Hutt 004 An interesting discussion with very varied opinions. Most found the plot confusing with its back and forth scenarios and the similarity of the characters' names. Others enjoyed the philosophies and the descriptions of the countryside, but found the darkness of Hanna's life particularly bleak. Nelson 019 Everyone enjoyed the characters in the novel - they were well developed. We thought that maybe some of the flow of the book was lost in translation; the story also had a tendency to jump between characters. Overall, the book was well enjoyed. Piopio 001 We had possibly one of the best ever discussions, and it went on and on....about women oppressed in society; and the awfulness and lasting effects of rape on the individual, her family , descendants and community....Auckland 016 Several members commented that they found it 'hard going' at times and had to persevere to finish it. Others enjoyed it very much. A few found the similarity of the main characters' names confusing. None of us knew anything about early Scandinavian history, so found this aspect interesting. Gisborne 008 As always, a lively discussion. Members were interested in the comparison of life in Sweden for poorer people with the lives of pioneer women in New Zealand. We found the multiplicity of characters confusing at times, and also some passages - perhaps due to the translation. A book revealing of womens' lives at that time. Christchurch 009
Pages
360
360
Year
1998
1998
Reviews
04-09-2022
We thought it was a pleasant enough read, and interesting time and place settings. However, we did not think it was particularly well written, and thought the author was trying too hard to make it deep and meaningful.
30-08-2021
The group enjoyed this book, and discussion involved the different relationships, personalities and changes in lifestyles through time. Some people found it a fairly easy read, and others found it a little more challenging in terms of the detail in the book...
30-08-2021
Hanna's Daughters was a great success with our book club. We enjoyed reading about Hanna's struggle, however we were not that taken with Anna. We didn't think it was a feminist novel.
30-08-2021
We found this an interesting book, but rather gloomy.
30-08-2021
Opinions varied. Interesting insight into Swedish life in the past. Several members enjoyed the book very much.
30-08-2021
This was a confusing book, most found it awkward to read - getting Hanna, Johanna and Anna muddled up. We did not think it was an epic romance. The good or interesting aspect was the learning about the famines and the conflicts between Norway and Sweden.
30-08-2021
All agreed it was an interesting and worthwhile book to read. Lots of discussion about women's issues through the generations. All were pleased to have read this book.
30-08-2021
A hard book to read - confusing sorting out characters, but we all enjoyed reading about Norway and Sweden and learnt a lot.
30-08-2021
Everyone enjoyed this, and we had a lively discussion of life as depicted by the book, how it has changed and how it mirrored life in NZ during the same time period,
30-08-2021
We all enjoyed this book. We found some strange translation terms and words, but on the whole it gave us great insight to the women's lives and their families.
30-08-2021
The members of the group enjoyed the book, and found the discussion interesting.
30-08-2021
A complex read. Enjoyable - historical background, culture, war. Hard difficult lives.
30-08-2021
Our group felt it was too long and the women were too full of angst. So many characters made the book confusing. On the other hand it was an interesting social history. Most of us knew nothing about Sweden and Norway in that earlier period. A map could have been helpful.
30-08-2021
Interesting discussion about the differences in lives and men of the 3 generations of women. Some felt a little was lost in the translation at times.
30-08-2021
We all loved it. Such a great insight to the lives of women, and how things have changed so much over 3 generations.
30-08-2021
A challenging read. Interesting characters and vividly drawn landscapes.