Lidman, Sara (1923–2004)

Swedish novelist, dramatist and social commentator. Born Sara Adela Lidman in Missenträsk, Sweden, Dec 30, 1923; died June 17, 2004, in Umea, Sweden; dau. of Andreas Lidman and Jenny (Lundman) Lidman; educated at University of Uppsala.

Homebound because of a bout with TB in early teens, became a voracious reader and began to write, to allay the sense of isolation reinforced by the strict pietism of her Lutheran parents and neighbors; moved to Stockholm (1944); published 1st novel, Tjärdalen (The Tar Well or Tar-Boiler, 1953), a critical and popular success; wrote 3 more novels set in the isolated village world of Sweden's Norrland: Hjortronlandet (Cloudberry Land, 1955), which became a bestseller and was chosen as Sweden's best novel of the year, Regnspiran (The Rain Bird, 1958), and Bära mistel (Carrying the Mistletoe, 1960); after a trip to South Africa and a brush with the apartheid system (1960), wrote Jag och min son (I and My Son, 1961); lived in Kenya and Tanzania (1962–64), basis for novel, Med fem diamanter (With Five Diamonds, 1964); abandoning fiction, became a reporter; during Vietnam war, visited North Vietnam (1966) and wrote impressions in a series of articles for Swedish newspapers, which appeared in book form as Samtal i Hanoi (Conversations in Hanoi, 1966); published Gruva (The Mine, 1968), exploring the working and living conditions among Lapland's hardrock iron miners; resumed writing fiction (late 1970s); published 5-novel suite which returned to Sweden's far north: Din tjänare hör (Thy Obedient Servant, 1977), Vredens barn (Anger's Child, 1978), Nabot's sten (Naboth's Stone, 1981), Den underbare mannen (The Miracle Man, 1983), and Järnkronan (The Iron Crown, 1985); published Lifsens rot (The Root of Life) to critical acclaim (1996).

See also Women in World History.