The Journey of Ni

Author: (Swedish) Selma Lagerl?f, translated by Gao Ziyin and others
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-05-25
Features: The is the only children's novel to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature. It is also the most famous work by Swedish female writer Selma Lagerl?f and a renowned educational children's literary work that combines artistic, intellectual, and scientific elements. As a bestseller spanning over a century, The skillfully blends the beautiful natural scenery of the Nordic region with the cultivation of the human spirit, making it an unparalleled classic in the history of fairy tales. Nils is a lazy, disinterested boy who, due to failing to keep a promise to a fox spirit, is transformed into a tiny, thumb-sized human. After becoming a "tiny person," Nils can understand the language of birds and animals. A flock of geese flying north overhead, one of Nils's geese is tempted to follow them, and Nils grabs the goose's neck. However, he not only fails to hold the goose back but is instead carried into the sky by it. The leader of the flock is annoyed by Nils's arrogance and unwilling to take him along. But Nils saves a goose from a fox, and the leader is deeply moved, deciding to take him across Sweden and to their destination. During the days of flying over Sweden, Nils witnesses the fierce battles between animals, observes the annual crane dance performance, encounters many strange and wonderful events, sees an underwater castle, learns about his homeland's mountains and waters, and experiences numerous dangers firsthand. After living with the flock for several days, Nils forms a deep bond with the geese and understands the of being a good person. He decides to return home. By then, Nils has transformed into a hardworking, kind-hearted child who can make his parents proud.