Understanding Nordic Literature

Nordic literature or Scandinavian literature refers to oral and written works that were produced in Nordic countries of Northern Europe and North Atlantic region. This branch of literature is traditionally composed of works in modern Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Danish, and Faroese languages. All these languages are members of the North Germanic group of languages. There are similarities between the literatures in these languages; however, there are also differences due to national, geographic and historical distinctions. Furthermore, the texts written in the Swedish language within Finland are studied within Finnish literature. Some of the prominent writers in Nordic literature are Henrik Ibsen, Frans Eemil Sillanpää, Selma Lagerlöf, Karl Adolph Gjellerup, Verner von Heidenstam, Knut Hamsun, Sigrid Undset and Erik Axel Karlfeldt. Some of the diverse topics covered in this book address the varied genres that fall under Nordic literature. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this body of literature as well as for experts.