Book briefs: 'Pippi' author's WWII diaries published for the first time
Welcome to your weekly roundup of book news and literary highlights from The Thread.
This week, the author of "On Writing Well" leaves a remarkable legacy and a new view of World War II emerges from the diaries of Astrid Lindgren.
"Pippi Longstocking" author's World War II diaries published for the first time
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Astrid Lindgren is best known for creating that spunky, red-headed sprite Pippi Longstocking, who has charmed children for half a century. Before she brought Pippi to life on the page, however, Lindgren devoted her writing efforts to chronicling everyday life during World War II.
The Swedish author's diaries date from September 1939 until the end of the war in 1945 — in all, she filled 17 volumes with her handwritten observations about the crisis in Europe and raising two children in the shadow of the war.
When peace came, the first Pippi book was published and the diaries were set aside. Lindgren wrote nine Pippi books in all, which have been translated into 70 different languages and spawned multiple TV and movie adaptations.
After Lindgren died in 2002 at the age of 94, her family decided to share the beloved author's war diaries. Her granddaughter spent several years paring down the massive tome, and the final result was just published in Swedish. According to The Guardian, the Scandinavian press has hailed the diaries as an "unparalleled war narrative" and a "shocking history lesson."
There is no English publication date yet, but given the continued enthusiasm for Pippi, it likely won't be long before a translation is released.
Author of "On Writing Well" dies at 92
A well-thumbed copy of "On Writing Well" is part of the college student uniform. It's been the constant companion of aspiring writers for more than 30 years. On May 12, the author of the frequently referenced text, William Zinsser, passed away at 92.
Zinsser's time teaching at Yale inspired "On Writing Well," which was first published in 1968. More than 1.5 million copies are now in print, and it's considered a classic on the craft of writing, alongside "The Elements of Style," by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White.
"On Writing Well" was updated over the years as typewriters gave way to Microsoft Word, but Zinsser's sense of humor and style remained. A classic Zinsser zinger from the book:
"There's not much to be said about the period except that most writers don't reach it soon enough."
Bestselling fantasy series gets its own cookbook
Diana Gabaldon's time-travelling fantasy series has readers in a frenzy over everything Scottish — but do they really want to cook haggis?
The "Outlander" books tell the story of a 20th century nurse who is transported to 18th century Scotland, where she meets a handsome warrior from the Highlands. The books were recently adapted into a television show, which has recruited even more rabid fans.
One particularly fervent fan started a blog with recipes inspired by the books. Theresa Carle-Sanders' concoctions include "Jocasta's 'Auld Country' Scottish Bannock" and "Homemade Salt for the Sin-Eater." Mmm, fiction.
With Gabaldon's blessing, the recipes will be published in the "Outlander Kitchen" cookbook, due next summer.