This Freedom

by Fredrika Bremer

This is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the original versions are generally quite old, there may occasionally be certain imperfections within these reproductions. We're happy to make these classics available again for future generations to enjoy!

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

Fredrika Bremer was a Swedish 19th century writer and one of the earliest and perhaps most influential women rights activist in the country.

Born into a wealthy family in the Swedish speaking parts of Finland Bremer recieved a thorough education including a Tour d'Europe.

In 1828 she she started to publish her series Teckningar utur hvardagslifvet (Drawings from the everyday life), in which her story Familjen H... (The Family H...) was included. The work drew influences from the English 'novel of letters', as well as the utilitism of Jeremy Bentham and the works of Freidrich Schiller. The work was widely acclaimed and she continued her writings by publishing Grannerna (The Neighbours) and Hemmet (The Home).

Inspired by Alexis de Tocquevilles she travelled to the United States by herself and stayed for over a year. Bremer was dissapointed by the experience since she could not condone with policies such as slavery. She was however somewhat influencal in the US at the time, having many of her works translated by Mary Howitt, and she was mentioned in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

Her most important work would be Hertha. The book caused such a major discussion about the role of women in society that the Swedish parliment decided to grant unmarried women over 25 years of age legal majority. It also lead to the foundation of all women higher education schools.

Reviews

[L.]

The book follows English girl Rosalie Aubyn from childhood on up. Rosalie doesn't want to grow up just to get married and pop out some kids. She dreams of breaking the glass ceiling and having a successful career in business. Normally I would have been cheering her on in her quest to live life the way she wants. I didn't really have a problem with Rosalie. It was everyone else in this book that seemed to be on suicide watch (with one managing to succeed.) The further I went into the story, the harder it became to read. It just felt like such a weight, a weight I am now pushing off of me.

[Johnny Bennett]

This is the most okay book in recent history. Not sure exactly what the point is. Usually books this boring have a clear moral to it.

The only thing offensive about this book is that is somehow managed to get in the top ten best seller list in the 1920s.

[Annabelle]

Fantastic read!! Will definitely search for the film.