Gustaf Fröding, by many considered to be the "national poet" of Sweden, has long been regarded as virtually untranslatable. Many of his musical qualities, as well as his esquisite treatment of the Swedish language, must remain a closed book to those who do not know that language. But other qualities in this major European poet can be made available in translation — his love of the natural beauty of the landscape, his genuine liking for the common people of Sweden, his wry sense of humour, his satire of the petty bourgeois society of his time, his humble self-irony, and deep compassion with the unfortunate of this world.
In his introduction to this selection of Gustaf Fröding's poetry the distinguished Swedish critic Helmer Lång gives us a moving account of the tragic life of the poet
In spite of the formidable difficulties, the translators Henrik Aspán and Martin Allwood have given us access to important work by this turn-of-the-century poet, who certainly merits our attention.
Copyright © Henrik Aspán 2002.