 First edition | |
| Author | Astrid Lindgren |
|---|---|
| Original title | Ronja rövardotter |
| Illustrator | Ilon Wikland |
| Language | Swedish |
| Publisher | Rabén & Sjögren |
Publication date | 1981 |
| Publication place | Sweden |
| Pages | 235 pp |
| ISBN | 91-29-54877-2 |
| OCLC | 9462379 |
| LC Class | MLCS 82/9917 |
Ronia, the Robber's Daughter (Swedish:Ronja rövardotter) is a children'sfantasy book by theSwedish authorAstrid Lindgren, first published in 1981.
The book has been translated into at least 39 languages. It was adapted asa film in 1984, a Danish and a German musical, theJapanese anime, and alive-action television adaptation.
Ronia is a girl growing up among a clan of robbers living in a castle in the woodlands ofearly-MedievalScandinavia. As the only child of Matt, the chief, she is expected to become the leader of the clan someday. Their castle, Matt's Fort, is split into two parts by alightning bolt on the day of Ronia's birth. Ronia grows up with Matt's clan of robbers as her only company, until a rival robber group led by Borka moves into the other half of the castle, exacerbating the longstanding rivalry between the two bands.
One day, Ronia sees Birk Borkason, the only son of Borka, idling by the chasm. He is the only other child she has ever met, and so she is sorry that he is a Borka. He engages her in a game of jumping across, which does not end until Birk almost falls down. Ronia saves him, and they eventually become friends.
The following winter is long and cold and although Matt's robbers are well fed, their counterparts are suffering on the other side of the chasm. Ronia brings food to Birk through a secret passageway. They grow very close but both know that they cannot tell their families. Later that year, Birk is captured by Ronia's father. Ronia gives herself to the Borkas so she must be exchanged, but as a result, her father disowns her and refuses to acknowledge her as his daughter. Birk and Ronia run away to the woods, where they live in a cave and experience several harrowing adventures with the wood's indigenous wildlife, includingtrolls, forestgnomes, andharpies. Ultimately their families repent of their feuding, and everyone is reunited, but the story concludes with both Ronia and Birk deciding that the robber's life is not for them.
In 1983,Trina Schart Hyman illustrated a cover for the book, which is published byPuffin Books.[1]
In 1984, the book was made into a Swedishfantasy film. It was directed by the Swedish film directorTage Danielsson and adapted for screenplay by Astrid Lindgren herself. It was a major success, becoming the highest-grossing film in Sweden,[2] and winning a Silver Bear at the 1985Berlin International Film Festival.[citation needed] More than 1.5 million people attended its screenings in Sweden.[citation needed]
In 1991 the book was made into a Danish musical calledRonja Røverdatter. The musical is written by Danish composerSebastian.[3]
In 1994 the book was made into a German musical calledRonja Räubertochter. The musical is written by Axel Bergstedt in theGerman language, and hasorchestra,band and more than one hundred people on thestage.[4][5]
A production in theBalver Höhle was performed in 1993 and 2004 and inOberkirch in 2006.
A production ofRonja the Robber's Daughter interpreted by Ronny Danielsson performed at Stadsteatern Stockholm Sweden 2014, 2016, and 2018.[citation needed]
A stage play based on the novel was written by Allison Gregory.[6]
A live-action television adaptation of the novel premiered in March 2024.Hans Rosenfeldt wrote the script while Lisa James Larsson directed the series. The series was produced by Filmlance Productions, the company behind Swedish TV productions such asBeck,Bron, andCaliphate.[7][8][9]
ACGI television series from Japan debuted in October 2014.[10] TitledSanzoku no Musume Ronia, the show was produced byDwango,NHK, NHK Enterprises and animated byPolygon Pictures with cooperation fromStudio Ghibli. The show was directed byGoro Miyazaki and scripted by Hiroyuki Kawasaki.[11]
Ronia, the Robber's Daughter has been translated into 39 languages.[12] The two English versions translate the Swedish names differently. The Swedish word "rövare" is more akin to the English word reaver, rather than robber (rånare).[13]
| Swedish, 1981 Rabén & Sjögren Ronja Rövardotter | English, 1983 Methuen The Robber's Daughter | English, 1985 Puffin Ronia, the Robber's Daughter |
|---|---|---|
| Ronja | Kirsty | Ronia |
| Mattis | Matt | Matt |
| Lovis | Lena | Lovis |
| Borka | Ranulf | Borka |
| Undis | Hanna | Undis |
| Birk | Burl | Birk |
| Skalle-Per | Skinny-Pete | Noddle-Pete |
| Tjegge | Shaggy | Shaggy |
| Pelje | Proudfoot | Pelle |
| Fjosok | Fulke | Foolok |
| Jutis | Jolly | Jutto |
| Joen | Jip | Jep |
| Knotas | Knott | Knott |
| Turre | Tapper | Tapper |
| Tjorm | Tobbit | Torm |
| Sturkas | Bumper | Bumper |
| Lill-Klippen | Snip | Little Snip |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
