Elisabeth Åsbrink

Made in Sweden taught me that hate is not good. Appreciate instead. Do not follow the crowd. Blaze your own trail instead and follow your own values and convictions and not the values and convictions of those around you. Stand up for yourself and what you believe in in order to get what you want out of life. No one can change your life but you. People can give advice but the ultimate decision is up to you so choose your experiences and govern yourself wisely.

Govern yourself as a tree that flourishes with time

In nature's grand tapestry, there stands tall

A timeless marvel, noble and enthralled

A tree, whose presence in the world sublime

Embodies wisdom, growth, and strength through time.

Oh, govern yourself as a tree, dear soul

A beacon of resilience, you shall behold

Rooted in the earth, anchored deep and true

Unyielding 'gainst life's storms and trials that ensue.

In youth, you sapling, timid and serene

Gleaming leaves poised for journeys unforeseen

With each passing season, may you embrace

The winds of change, and let thy spirit chase.

As spring awakens, with its gentle breeze

Unfurl your tender buds, with grace and ease

Let sunlight's warmth caress your eager limbs

As whispers of new beginnings stir within.

Then summer dances, vibrant and aglow

Your foliage lush, a verdant taste of woe

Stretch out your branches, in a joyful dance

And bask in life's abundant, golden chance.

Autumn's arrival, with its fiery hues

A symphony of colors, a grateful muse

Let go, oh tree, of what no longer serves

And celebrate the gifts, life generously preserves.

And when comes winter, naked and serene

Embrace the stillness, let your past convene

For in this dormancy, strength is renewed

A reflection of the journey you've pursued.

So, govern yourself as a tree, dear heart

With resilience and wisdom as your art

Through seasons passing, let your spirit soar

And flourish with grace, forevermore.… (meer)

1947, momento storico in cui il mondo si lecca le ferite della guerra da poco conclusa, disegnando un futuro più che mai incerto fatto di guerra fredda e di nuovi fascismi, della nascita dello stato di Israele e di quella del fondamentalismo islamico. E, come tessuto che tiene insieme a tutto questo, l'autrice inserisce le gesta di Simone De Beauvoir, George Orwell, Primo Levi, Thelonous Monk, Billy Holiday. E, al centro del libro, suo padre. Libro ibrido fra saggistica e narrativa che riesce a essere emozionante. Apprezzabile sia per stile e struttura, spezzettata e insieme coesa, che per l'indubbio valore di memoria.

«La vita spirituale dell'Europa può svilupparsi solo se gli europei supereranno i limiti e l'egoismo dello stato nazionale. Spetta a tutti i popoli del continente, soprattutto a quello tedesco, prepararsi per lo sviluppo dell'Europa che ci troviamo davanti [...]. I problemi economici, i problemi di comunicazione in tutti gli stati europei, i progetti di un'unione doganale, l'idea di una moneta comune europea - tutto punta nella stessa direzione».
Documento dell'Europa-Bund - 1947… (meer)

Elisabeth Åsbrink har i Orden som formade Sverige försökt sig på något svårt: att diskutera vad som kan ha format ett land, varför i hela friden de där konstiga svenskarna är som de är. Hon tar sitt ursprung i ord och fraser, och skriver därefter om diverse ämnen. Jämlikhet. Lort. Fred. Rasism. Ensamhet. Sommar.

Varje kapitel är kort, ett par sidor bara. Ibland räcker detta gott, ibland blir det väldigt ytligt. Det är sällan torrt, men Åsbrink låter också egna åsikter skina igenom: definitivt en bit åt vänster. Svensk självgodhet punkteras med friskt humör: slavhandel, rasbiologi, homofobi. Det är också delar av svenska historian.

På grund av upplägget är boken snarast underhållande. Systematik är det inte tal om. Ej heller tydliga teser. Källförteckningen är rudimentär och duger knappast för vidare studier om något ämne berör. Läsning bör i alla fall ge åtminstone några oväntade uppgifter, några områden att studera vidare.… (meer)