Reviews with content warning for Violence - Ronja Røverdatter

I love Lindgren's movies and realized I never read one of her books before. That's why I picked this up from the local library.
It's actually really close to the movie but there are a few details that I found enriching.
Unfortunately, this book made me realize how toxic the relationship especially between Ronja and Matthis is. It got better towards the end, but still. Ronja is expected to emotionally care for Matthis, even though it should be the other way around.
I expected the sexism, gender norms and stuff, nostalgia helps me ignore it in the movies. But I think it's important to know what you're reading before you do, to determine whether you're fine with it by seing it in the historical context.

Edit: Bumping up the rating because I realized it was Ronjas toxic father who changed his ways and fixed their broken relationship, which is pretty forward thinking. Yes, her Mom told her something like "he' suffering, come home" but she didn't until he apologized.

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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exactly_here's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I read this book to my 8-year-old son for the second time and we both loved it a lot. We read the German translation. The setting is so inspiring – not only for children. Ronja is the daughter of the chief of a group of bandits who live in an old castle in the middle of the woods. When she gets to know the son of a rivaling group of bandits the story develops around their conflict and their growing friendship.

What I love most about this book are the interesting relationships between the characters:

Ronja and her mother Lovis who have a beautiful and strong bond full of trust and respect for each other.

In contrast to this relationship Ronjas father Mattis is often barely in control of his feelings and always expresses himself in extreme ways – no matter if he feels joy, rage, grief or sorrow. Ronja loves him for it and seems to copy some of his traits but ultimately learns to find balance and also to act in a healthy way in relationships.

Ronjas relationship to Birk develops in an enemy to best friends arc. What I really like about their story is that they have to go through several conflicts even after becoming friends. How they hurt each other, fight and mend their relationship and ask for forgiveness is beautiful to read.

And apart from the relationships between Ronja and other characters I like the dynamic between Mattis and his oldest friend Peer the most. Maybe because of his age Peer is the most relaxed and humorous person ever and is in clear contrast to many of Mattis outbursts.

I also enjoyed the setting with beautiful descriptions of the woods and seasons and how Ronja enjoys to be a part of nature on her adventures. Also, the book features a lot of mystical creatures who are the reason for several dangerous, dramatic and also beautiful episodes in the book.

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