7.6 /10 1 Votes
Original title Pelle Erobreren Originally published 1904 Country Denmark | 3.8/5 Goodreads Language Danish | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Adaptations Pelle the Conqueror (1987) Similar Works by Martin Andersen Nexø, Classical Studies books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pelle the Conqueror (Danish: Pelle Erobreren) is a Danish novel written by Martin Andersen Nexø. The book was published in four volumes, beginning with Boyhood in 1906, Apprenticeship in 1907, The Great Struggle in 1909 and concluding with Daybreak in 1910.
Contents
The novel follows the character Pelle Karlsson, who immigrates to Denmark from Sweden in 1877 at age eight. At 18, he moves from Bornholm to Copenhagen, and becomes a leader in the labour movement in Denmark, motivated by poor working conditions.
Analysis
Nexø based the novel on many of the experiences in his own life. While written as a biography of a fictional character, Pelle the Conqueror reports on widespread economic and historic social matters.
The novel was translated into English by Jesse Muir and Bernard Miall in 1913-1916. Despite this, it is not a popular novel in the English-speaking world. Pelle the Conqueror has been compared to Les Misérables.
Film adaptation
In 1987, a Danish-Swedish film adaptation directed by Bille August was released. August chose to adapt the novel because it is considered essential reading in Denmark. It starred Pelle Hvenegaard as the young Pelle and Max von Sydow, and won the Palme d'Or at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival, the 1988 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and numerous other awards.