This is my favorite book of all time. ( )

Ronia, the Robber's Daughter is a charming little tale about the titular Ronia and her escapades with Birk, the son of her father's archnemesis. The two live in a forest setting that is reminiscent of Robin Hood and classic Medieval stories. The book is filled with lovely little descriptions, such as this one: "You could see for miles across the green woods, but now there was much yellow and red among the green, and soon the whole riverside was flaming gold and red." The language is simple but well-chosen, and the characters are as developed as one can expect in a book designed for young readers. Ronia's father, in particular, is well-drawn.

This is a very easy and quick read and would make an excellent bedtime/read-aloud book for elementary school-aged children. ( )

Today I treated myself to a reread of an old childhood favorite, Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren. I just love this book. It's set in a fantasy world with harpies and rumphobs and gray dwarfs. It reminds me a bit of another little gem of a fantasy, The Farthest-Away Mountain by Lynne Reid Banks. Ronia is the daughter of a robber chieftain, Matt, and they live in the forest in Matt's robber stronghold with Ronia's mother Lovis and a ragtag band of robbers. Early on, Ronia learns to hate their rival Borka's robber band, until one day when she reluctantly saves the life of Borka's son, Birk. The two children adopt one another as brother and sister, but their friendship is threatened by the hatred between the two bands.

I really enjoy how Lindgren describes Ronia's consciousness and thought processes — she really understands how children's minds work. The characters are wonderful, with such strong personalities written in so few words (a nod is certainly due to Lindgren's translator, Patricia Crampton — great job!). It's a lovely little story with not a word out of place. Highly, highly recommended. ( )

Plot: A beautiful collection of smaller and larger adventures, connected loosely by a general plotline. The build-up from scene to scene is wonderfully done, and the final resolution is both a very open end and a closure at the same time.

Characters: Lovingly drawn central characters, who come alive from their first appearance on. It's easy to identify with them and to care about what happens, and they feel amazingly real. Side characters are done well and are deftly sketched, and even the ones with only brief mentions remain memorable.

Style: The story weaves legends, myth and magic with reality, in a way that still doesn't feel otherworldly. Descriptions are short but poignant, dialogues are very well done.

Plus: It's a beautiful tale to read, with a number of touching moments. This edition also has illustrations.

Minus: Nothing, really. This is as close to perfect as it could have been.

Summary: A beautiful children's tale which isn't just for children, and which doesn't lose anything in a re-read after a decade or two. ( )

This is one of those books that is absolutely timeless and never loses its appeal; not only that, but it stands up to repeat reading and always feels like visiting an old friend.

The characters are wonderful, the plot is perfect and Lindgren's storytelling style is absolutely wonderful to read - you can read it yourself or enjoy reading it to someone else (or having it read to you!) equally well.

Folklore is blended seamlessly with an enchanting tale of a growing friendship between two children from two families who have long been enemies, and how they beat the odds (and their fiery tempers) in an almost Romeo and Juliet fashion, but, seeing as how this is aimed at children, without much of the tragedy of Shakespeare’s classic play.

It’s a bold, bright, colourful story that will appeal to all readers, both young and old. ( )