Within treasure trove of World Literature, Eyvind Johnson was a Swedish novelist and short story writer, known for his lyrical prose and social criticism, as well as groundbreaking contributions to modern Swedish literature. He shared the 1974 Nobel Prize in Literature with Harry Martinson.
Short Biography
Eyvind Johnson was born on July 29, 1900, in Svartbjörnsbyn, a remote village in northern Sweden.
He was christened Olof Edvin Verner Jonsson but later adopted the pen name Eyvind Johnson.
He left school at the age of thirteen and held various manual labor jobs, including working in a mine and as a lumberjack.
He moved to Stockholm in the early 1920s, where he became associated with a group of avant-garde writers known as the "Stockholm School".
His debut novel, "Timans och dödens boning" (The Land of Mist and the Dwelling of Death), was published in 1924.
His early novels didn't garner widespread attention, but his critical success came with "Comment on a Falling Star" in 1929, critiquing capitalist society.
His breakthrough came with the publication of "Romanticism" in 1931, a semi-autobiographical novel that explored the struggles of a young writer coming of age in rural Sweden.
In the face of rising totalitarianism in the 1930s, Johnson vehemently opposed fascism and Nazism.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he produced a series of novels and short stories that established him as one of Sweden's foremost literary voices.
Notable works from this period include "The Days of His Grace" (1940), an epic novel that follows the life of a Finnish immigrant in Sweden, and "The Return of the Prodigal Son" (1940), a psychological exploration of familial relationships and personal identity.
His marriage to translator Cilla Johnson in 1940 marked a new chapter, as they traveled extensively, inspiring his historical novels.
During World War II, he edited the magazine Håndslag and penned the Krilon trilogy, allegorical novels condemning Nazi oppression.
In 1946, Johnson published "Return to Ithaca," one of his most famous works, based on the story of Odysseus.
He received the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 1962. Throughout his career, he championed fellow writers, nominating Giorgos Seferis for the Nobel Prize in Literature, which Seferis won in 1963.
In 1974, Eyvind Johnson and fellow Swedish writer Harry Martinson were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for their narrative artistry in service of freedom.
Eyvind Johnson died on August 25, 1976, in Stockholm, Sweden. His literary legacy is significant in Swedish literature and beyond.
His Best Two Works
Eyvind Johnson's literary legacy is marked by several influential works, but two of his best-known and most impactful are "The Novel about Olof" (Romanen om Olof) and "Return to Ithaca" (Strändernas svall).
The Novel about Olof (Romanen om Olof)
Published between 1934 and 1937, "The Novel about Olof" is a series of four autobiographical novels: "Här har du ditt liv!" (Here Is Your Life!), "Se dig inte om!" (Don't Look Back!), "Slutspel i ungdomen" (Finale in Youth), and "Natten är här" (The Night Has Come).
The series is a coming-of-age story that follows the protagonist, Olof, as he grows up in the rural northern parts of Sweden.
Johnson blends realism with fairy tales and employs modernist techniques such as inner monologue and shifting points of view.
This innovative narrative style captures the complexity of Olof’s inner life and the harsh realities of his external world.
The series provides a vivid depiction of the socio-economic struggles in early 20th-century Sweden, exploring themes of poverty, labor, and the quest for personal and social identity.
Return to Ithaca (Strändernas svall)
Published in 1946, "Return to Ithaca" is a retelling of the story of Odysseus from Greek mythology, focusing on his return to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
Johnson reimagines the ancient tale with a modernist sensibility, emphasizing the psychological and existential dimensions of Odysseus's journey.
The novel explores themes of homecoming, identity, and the enduring human struggle to find meaning and belonging in a turbulent world.
Through the lens of myth, Johnson critiques the destructiveness of war and the challenges of rebuilding one’s life in its aftermath.
"Return to Ithaca" is celebrated for its lyrical prose and its profound philosophical reflections on the human condition.
Through these novels, Johnson not only advanced modernist literature in Sweden but also offered enduring insights into the human experience.
His
Contributions
Eyvind Johnson made significant contributions to literature, particularly in Swedish modernist fiction.
His works often depicted the struggles of the working class and critiqued societal and political issues, reflecting his own experiences of poverty and labor.
He was a vocal opponent of fascism, with his Krilon trilogy criticizing Nazi oppression and Swedish neutrality during World War II.
Johnson blended mythological and historical narratives with contemporary themes, as seen in works like "Return to Ithaca," which reimagined the story of Odysseus.
His autobiographical series, "The Novel about Olof," provided a deeply personal yet universally relatable exploration of youth and identity.
As a member of the Swedish Academy, he influenced Swedish literary culture and supported other writers, such as nominating Giorgos Seferis for the Nobel Prize.
Criticisms
His use of complex modernist techniques, such as stream of consciousness and non-linear narratives, made his works challenging for some readers, who found them overly intellectual and inaccessible.
His strong political views, particularly his outspoken opposition to fascism, Nazism, and Sweden's neutrality during World War II, were polarizing and sometimes overshadowed his literary achievements.
The joint awarding of the Nobel Prize in Literature to Johnson and Harry Martinson in 1974 sparked controversy, with some believing that other candidates were more deserving and that the decision was influenced by nationalistic pride.
Additionally, his association with intellectual circles and the Swedish Academy led to perceptions of elitism, potentially alienating some readers.
Conclusion
Eyvind Johnson was a pioneering Swedish modernist author whose innovative narrative techniques and strong political stances shaped 20th-century literature. Despite facing criticisms for complexity and elitism, his works remain influential, celebrated for their profound exploration of human experience and social issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are 1974 Nobel winner Eyvind Johnson's most notable works?
Swedish novelist and short story writer Eyvind Johnson is best known for "The Novel about Olof" (Romanen om Olof), a semi-autobiographical series comprising four novels: "Här har du ditt liv!" (Here Is Your Life!), "Se dig inte om!" (Don't Look Back!), "Slutspel i ungdomen" (Finale in Youth), and "Natten är här" (The Night Has Come). These works explore the protagonist Olof's coming-of-age in the rural north of Sweden. Another of Johnson’s significant works is "Return to Ithaca" (Strändernas svall), a modernist reinterpretation of the story of Odysseus's return after the Trojan War, reflecting on themes of war, identity, and the quest for peace.
Why did Eyvind Johnson receive the 1974 Nobel Prize in Literature?
Swedish novelist and short story writer Eyvind Johnson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1974, which he shared with fellow Swedish author Harry Martinson. The Nobel Committee recognized Johnson for his narrative artistry, which was described as far-seeing in lands and ages, and for his commitment to freedom through his literature. His ability to weave intricate, historically and mythologically rich stories with modernist techniques was particularly highlighted as part of his contribution to world literature.
What controversy surrounded Eyvind Johnson's 1974 Nobel Prize award?
Swedish novelist and short story writer Eyvind Johnson's Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded jointly with Harry Martinson in 1974, sparked controversy. Some critics argued that other candidates were more deserving of the prestigious award, questioning the decision's fairness and suggesting potential biases within the Swedish Academy. Additionally, there were accusations that the selection may have been influenced by nationalistic sentiments rather than purely literary merit. This controversy underscored debates surrounding the transparency and objectivity of Nobel Prize selections, raising questions about the criteria used to determine literary excellence.
What criticisms did Eyvind Johnson face?
Swedish
novelist and short story writer Eyvind Johnson faced criticism for his use of
complex modernist techniques, making his works less accessible. His strong
political views, particularly against fascism and Nazism, polarized readers and
sometimes overshadowed his literary achievements. Early novels received mixed
reviews for being unpolished. The 1974 Nobel Prize, shared with Harry
Martinson, was controversial, with some believing other candidates were more
deserving. Additionally, his association with intellectual circles led to
perceptions of elitism, potentially alienating some readers.
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