Mio, My Son (New York Review Children's Collection)

As a boy I had studiously avoided Lindgren's more famous creation Pippi Longstocking, partly because it was about a GIRL ("The horror! The horror!"), but also because it struck me at the time as just too silly. "Mio, My Son" is neither, but I had never heard of it before stumbling upon it in the list of chapter books reprinted by Purple House Press, which specializes in reprinting OOP children's classics. Since they had started by reprinting no less than FIVE of my favorite books from my childhood, all long out of print until they came along, I was inclined to trust their judgment sight unseen. "Mio, My Son" at least, did not disappoint.Perhaps because it began as a short story of Andy and the genie, which Lindgren later expanded into the current novel, "Mio, My Son" starts rather slowly. I know that I began to wonder when "something" was going to "happen" after Mio arrived in Farawayland, but be patient. Lindgren is slowly drawing you into her world, making you care for characters that shortly will be plunged into terrible danger in the rousing climax. The charming illustrations by Ilon Wikland nicely complement the story. After this I am looking forward to reading PHP's other Astrid Lindgren title  The Brothers Lionheart  with greater interest.Note: The publisher claims the reading level as 6-12; IMHO it's better classified towards the younger end of that scale, ESPECIALLY for boys. The Purple House reprint of  Mio, My Son  is worth picking up even if you own an older edition because of the smooth new English translation by Jill Morgan (the publisher herself?).

Most of Astrid Lindgren's books are instant classics and works of literary art.Mio, My Son is no exception.My three stars go not to the book itself, but to its American version.The translation lags, and the the publisher took some strange liberties with characters' names.For instance, Bosse became "Andy" (before he learns that his name is Mio, of course).Jum-Jum (Pronounced Yoom-Yoom) becomes Pompoo. Why?Same reason, I guess as why the Philosopher's Stone became the Sourcerer's Stone in the American version of the Harry Potter book.Now, the translation...As a child, I read the book in Russian.I don't speak Swedish, so I could not have ever read the original, but re-reading the book in Russian, and reading it again in English, I find this English translation dumbed down and awkward. I wish I could give examples, but you have to speak both languages to understand the difference.No, it's not that the Russian version made the book better. Astrid's writing is excellent as it is.I've read other Lindgren's books in Russian, translated by different authors, so I can confidently say that her writing is definitely poorly represented by the American publication of Mio, My Son (which, by the way, both in the original, and in most translations is titled Mio, My Mio).All that said, if you don't have a basis for comparison, you or your children will enjoy this book just the same.

I fell in love with story being a child. First I watched the movie which became my favorite. The book stole my heart. It is a very interesting story especially for boys!Along with this one I recommend The Neverending Story.

My ten-year old daughters enjoyed reading that book a lot.

I am a retired children's bookseller and I continue to buy and read children's literature. Lindgren is a fine author and this story effectively presents an appealing orphaned child who finds all that a boy would wish for in a magically discovered relationship with his heretofore unknown father king. His adventure, proving himself worthy of a great father's love and devotion, is the hero's journey of an unloved child who wins what his heart most needs. My reluctance to rate this book higher is that Lindgren's work is aging and I find the aperture of tone and time noticeable. I find it unlikely to connect with current young readers the way it would have several generations ago.

From E.A. Solinas' review: "It's never really dark or genuinely thrilling..."Absolutely no offense intended, but try saying that if you're an 8-year-old girl who loves horses and fairy tales! This book has haunted me for years. I checked it out time and time again from my school library, and tried to find it as an adult, but I couldn't remember the title, the main character's name OR the author. All I remembered was ..."a horse called Miramis"... but that was somehow enough to track it down on a lost books site.I remember the story as being mystical and full of entrancing descriptions. The story of a journey to destiny is timeless, and really captured me back then. I'm just thrilled to have found it again, and can't wait to get another copy.

Bought as a birthday gift for 10 year old girl. Lives in another state, We have been informed that she was very excited to receive this book and the other 3 there were part of this order. Astrid Lindgren is her favorite author. Book will go into her hope chest.

A well read and well loved book in Norway, I read it to my daughter in Norwegian 30 years ago. Now, my daughter is reading the English version to her kids. They are 4 years old and are loving the story.

Absolutely fantastic book. I adore it! Highly recommend to kids and adults alike. This story is a treasure.

a MUST in every home

Il prezzo è un po' alto, considerando che è un libro molto corto, perciò do 4 stelle.Il libro mi è arrivato in ottime condizioni senza danni e contiene delle illustrazioni belle.Il libro è in inglese ed è molto interessante.