Of Swedish Ways

by Lilly Lorenzen, Dick Sutphen (Illustrator)

Here is a book filled with the sights and sounds of a people steeped in a background of fine old traditions. It is a charming account of Swedish customs that goes beyond their democratic monarchy, their progressive social-welfare programs, their avant-garde movies, and their excellence of design.For Swedish-Americans this book will have special meaning: the joy of reminiscing about those traditions (some possibly forgotten) that enriched and helped shape their lives. For their children it is a journey to a world they may not know of first hand. And for the tourist it affords a unique behind-the-scenes look not to be found in travel books, and is certain to enhance the pleasure of their visit.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1978

Reviews

[Reiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hard for me to tell if I was simply fascinated by the book's subject matter (myself being partially of Swedish decent) or if the book was truly well written. Either way, I loved how many different cultural topics were included. The chapters described everything from holidays, art and crafts, every day life, food and religion. By the end of the book the author's vivid passion for her homeland had thoroughly enticed me to consider visiting the country, should any opportunity come my way.

[Hannah Garden]

What a fun little book! Kim found it in donations and I took it home. Learned some interesting things about the folks I come from, including the fascinating tidbit that the Swedes are very witchy about Easter--like halloweenishly witchy, according to this book. Really love that, and really loved how much Swedish language was in this as well, coz I am studying it and it is so so so so fun to have opportunities to speak new sentences.

[BookSweetie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a marvelous find for folks who may be curious about Swedish cultural traditions and heritage from a resource first published in 1964. This is not the resource for current information on 21st century Sweden, but this book does provide background context for Swedish culture and heritage.

I myself first stumbled on the 1964 hardcover publication almost exactly fifty years later at a library, and while I am not myself Swedish by heritage, the book was informative if "quaint" in feel, and yet quite pleasurable to read.

The author, the late Lilly Lorenzen (note the double L spelling of the author's first name Lilly, which is visible on the front cover) was an instructor of Swedish at the University of Minnesota and is today memorialized by the Lilly Lorenzen Scholarship administered through the American Swedish Institute, where she shared her enthusiasm for the Swedish language and culture for many years.

As a Swedish language instructor, she interspersed Swedish words, phrases, poems, and the like throughout the text, often with translations for the assumed majority of her readers who would not be fluent in Swedish. The book also contains whimsical black and white drawings.

The Table of Contents include the following headings:

A Map of Sweden
A Salute
Hembygd
The Old Country
Freedom within the Law
The Swedish National Anthem
The Swedish Flag
The Swedish Coat of Arms
Respect for Learning
Going to Church
Wedding and Bridal Customs
When Death Comes
A Swede is a Swede is a...
There is a Musical Strain
A Title is Vital
A Sip or Two
From Stove to Table
Handicraft is Traditional
Myths and Legends
Out of Deep Wells
Nursery Rhymes and Ditties
Lucia and Christmas Traditions
A New Year
Easter Customs
Walpurgis Night
Midsummer Festivities
When in Sweden Visiting
Traffic from Left to Right
Translation of Proverbs
Translation and Answers to Riddles
Acknowledgements
Bibliography

[Tara Syverson Wroblewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy was copyright in 1976, first publishing was in 1964
Page 163: In the Devil's Bible which can be seen at the Royal Library in Stockholm, which is almost a yard in height, has been considered one of the world's seven wonders. The library gives this account:
The Codex Gigas (giant book) or Devil's Bible contains the Old and New Testaments in pre-Vulgate Latin translations. The manuscript was written in the early 13th Century in the Benedictine Monastery of Podlazic in Bohemia, the vellum used having been prepared from the skins of 160 asses. According to legend the scribe was a monk who had been confined to his cell for some breach of monsastic discipline and who, by the way of penance, finished the manuscript in one single night with the help of the devil whom he had summoned to help him. In 1594 the manuscript was aquired by the Impreial Treasury in Prague. When the Swedish Army conquered the city in 1648 it was brough to Sweden and presented to the Royal Library the followin year.
Page 168:
The magic power of Tomten who lived under the farm house and watched out for danger of fire and other hazards, and guarded man and beast. All year long he was busy tending sick cattle and notifying the farmer when danger was afoot with a nudge. He was the last one to retire at night to make sure that all doors were locked and that the lamps and candles were turned out. When city people build a small cottage for the Summer, they are prone to call it Tomtebo or Tomteborg, making factious remards about having invited Tometen to dwell on their property so that all will go well. And tometen is easy to have, all he asks is a plate of risgrynsgrot (rice pudding) on Christmas Eve.

[K Steward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually finished on January 3rd but want to add this book to last year's reading.

Enjoyed the book but it is a bit dated, having been written in the 1960's. Still, the 1st time I went to Sweden was in 1965 (Christmas - 2 weeks with family during the year I studied in Bordeaux, France).

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting dive into my heritage and explained the ways I was brought up by my Swedish relatives. Being 100% of Swedish decent is rare in the US, so this was an enlightening read.

[Barbara]

"Father's Day
June 19, 1977

Dear Don,
Our dream of going to Sweden is finally about to come true... may this book make us more aware and appreciative of the marvelous experience we are going to have with Peter and Gun-Britt this summer

Much love,
Barbara"

[Jamie Etwas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinated by my hard-to-get-to-know Grandfather and our Swedish ancestry, I picked up this book from my father's shelf to help round out some of the conversations I had managed to have with Papa before his passing. I don't know, because of the associated sentimentality, if this book is well written but it does appear to be providing well informed synopsis of the heart and customs.

[Kevin Buckley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is divided into categories for easy reference. Well written for what it is. But too outdated to know how seriously to take some things now.