Karlsson from the roof

Karlsson from the roof on Djurgården , Stockholm

Karlsson vom Dach is a children's book fictional character by the Swede Astrid Lindgren , who appeared as a film in the literal translation Karlsson on the Roof .

Karlsson lives alone in a house on the roof. His little house is usually hidden by a chimney. It has a propeller attached to its back that allows it to fly. Sometimes it stutters and Karlsson has to go to the workshop.

Karlsson is friends with the shy boy Eric, although this relationship is more often geared towards Karlsson's sole benefit. In return, the fat prankster helps make Eric more courageous and confident.

Character image

Even if the character is often compared to Pippi Longstocking at first glance , there are important differences between the two characters: Pippi is selfless, compassionate, adventurous and helpful, Karlsson is mostly selfish, egoistic, greedy, greedy, opinionated, cunning and unreliable - Among other things, he once pretends to have a fever and Eric has to give him a medicine that supposedly doesn't work, and although they have bet on a chocolate bar, Karlsson demands the chocolate bar - albeit not maliciously. In addition, Karlsson is no longer a child, but in his own words a “man in the very best of years”, although he is no bigger than a child (and mostly behaves like that). His brand motto is: “It doesn't bother a great spirit.” Mostly when he has broken something or he is planning something dangerous. He even uses it in very delicate situations:

• Karlsson: "The way to my house will be very easy as long as I don't get engine damage."
  • Eric: "But if you get one, we'll crash, won't we?"
    • Karlsson: "Of course, but that doesn't bother any great spirit."
• Karlsson plays with Eric's steam engine. When it explodes and burns the bookshelf, all he says is: "That doesn't bother any great spirit."

History of origin

Karlsson was created from Lindgren's character Mr. Lilienstengel (in the original: Mr. Liljonkvast) from the book In the Land of Twilight . Originally, Mr. Lilienstengel was a short, flying, friendly old man and a fantasy friend of Lindgren's daughter Karin. He visited her in her room in the evening. Lindgren's daughter explained that Mr. Lilienstengel could not be seen by anyone else as he flew away and hid as soon as someone entered the room. However, at the time of the story in the Land of Twilight , Mr. Lilienstengel is kinder and less selfish, opinionated, or selfish. It doesn't have a propeller either. According to Astrid Lindgren, Mr. Lilienstengel only changed into Karlsson later.

Novels

The following three Karlsson books have been published:

• Lillebror and Karlsson vom Dach (Swedish: Lillebror och Karlsson på taket. 1955): The story begins with Karlsson becoming friends with seven-year-old Svante Svantesson, known as Lillebror (Swedish for "little brother"). Together they fly through the Stockholm district of Vasastan, watch the neighbors and play tricks on them; so are two somewhat clumsy burglars. The Lillebrors family, which in addition to their parents also include 15-year-old Birger and 14-year-old Betty, initially believe that the stories about Karlsson are Eric's fantasies that he made up because he did not get the dog he longed for. Only at the end of the first book did the family and friends of Lillebror make the acquaintance of Karlsson. The parents insist that Karlsson's existence must be kept a secret, otherwise the press would besiege the house.

• Karlsson flies again (Swedish: Karlsson på taket flyger igen. 1962): In the second book, Karlsson and Lillebror are alone with the housekeeper Fräulein Bock, who Karlsson calls "Hausbock". She is the preferred target for Karlsson's pranks. However, she does not recognize his peculiarity, but thinks he is a naughty schoolmate of Eric's. Her propeller doesn't impress her either - she thinks he's a child's toy.

• The best Karlsson in the world (Swedish: Karlsson på taket smyger igen. 1968): In the third book, Karlsson is discovered by strangers and a newspaper offers a reward for whoever catches him. The burglars from the first book also want this reward. So now Eric lives in fear, while Karlsson remains carefree. At the end, Karlsson walks to the newspaper office himself and collects the reward.

As in numerous other books by Astrid Lindgren, the images in the Karlsson books are by the Estonian-Swedish illustrator Ilon Wikland . The books were translated into German by Thyra Dohrenburg . The German versions were first published by Oetinger Verlag very soon after the Swedish original was published. The books were later published by Kinderbuchverlag Berlin, among others .

Films, audio books and radio plays

• In 1968 the cartoon Malysch i Karlsson (The Little One and Karlsson) was released in the USSR . Karlsson was voiced by Vasily Liwanow , and Eric by the actress Klara Rumjanowa .
• In 1970 followed the continuation Karlsson wernulsja (Karlsson returned). In addition to the actors mentioned above, Faina Ranewskaja spoke the character of Fröken Bock.
• In 1974, the Karlsson books were initially filmed as a feature film Karlsson on the Roof with Mats Wikström (Karlsson) and Lars Söderdahl (Lillebror) by Universum Film GmbH (director: Olle Hellbom , music: Georg Riedel). This version later appeared as a four-part television series.
• In 1992, Deutsche Grammophon launched an audio book that Astrid Lindgren had read personally.
• In 2002 a cartoon Karlsson vom Dach was released (director: Vibeke Idsøe ) (German premiere: February 20, 2003)
• There is a radio play adaptation by WDR from 1972. Other radio plays have been published by Karussell and Fontana Records .
• There is the animated series Karlsson from the roof. The German first broadcast was in 2004 on Ki.Ka

Others

Karlsson is particularly popular in Russia and other CIS countries .

Following Karlsson of the formerly world-famous was Rally Car Driver Erik Carlsson with the nickname assigned "Carlsson på taket" because the former Saab - Auto athletes often their racing or rally cars "on the roof laid."

Remarks

1. ↑ I Skymningslandet .
2. ^ Karlsson på taket .
3. ↑ Astrid Lindgren - a new look: children's culture, illustration. .
4. ↑ 2006 published in two versions as DVD by the Friedrich Oetinger publishing group , once in one continuous part, once in four parts
5. ↑ also from Universe; published as DVD in two parts, bilingual options (German, Swedish), Studio100 Media