Why I’ve Always Loved Pippi

/ Tracy Abell

kellyrfineman got me thinking about books I loved as a child.  She’s currently going through some old favorites, identifying those positive story elements that might shape and inform her own writing projects.  

As I read her posts, I wondered if I could remember why I connected with certain books.  Some of those books and the person I was as I read them, feel so long ago and far away.  Those connections feel faint.

Except for one character who stands out:  Pippi Longstocking.

And this excerpt from Pippi in the South Seas by Astrid Lindgren says it all:

The arithmetic lesson was interrupted by Captain Longstocking, who came to announce that he and the whole crew and all the Kurrekurredutts were going off to another island for a couple of days to hunt wild boar.  Captain Longstocking was in the mood for some fresh boar steak.  The Kurrekurredutt women were also to go along, to scare out the boar with wild cries.  That meant that the children would be staying behind alone on the island.

"I hope you won’t be sad because of this?" said Captain Longstocking.

"I’ll give you three guesses," said Pippi.  "The day I hear that some children are sad because they have to take care of themselves without grownups, that day I’ll learn the whole pluttification table backward, I’ll swear to that."

That pigtailed, free spirit made me laugh then, and she makes me laugh now.  All hail Pippi!

                      

16 thoughts on “Why I’ve Always Loved Pippi”

  1. Oooh, a snippet from one of my absolute favorite books of all time. In fact, I remember Pippi’s line after all these years. I really connected with it because….well.
    Thank you, thank you. I’m smiling again as I read it.

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  2. Oooh, a snippet from one of my absolute favorite books of all time. In fact, I remember Pippi’s line after all these years. I really connected with it because….well.

    Thank you, thank you. I’m smiling again as I read it.

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    • Astrid Lindgren was genius, I think. Such a rollicking, smart girl character for us to love. And so proud of her freckles (as opposed to poor Anne of Green Gables who worried about them so much!)

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  6. I know I read some Pippi, but I also know I didn’t re-read her enough to remember anything well. That said, if you’re of a mind to do so, I’d encourage you to think about a few other books you remember reading. I’ve found that seeing Little Men reminded me of it, but even more so I’ve remembered Little Women. And as I think of one book, others start to edge forward on the bookshelf in the back of my brain. And I’m finding myself reconnecting to my younger self as I think about the books as well. My guess is that your younger self is closer than you think!

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    • I bet you’re right about this, Kelly. If I start out “cold,” it feels as if nothing will come. But as I inch in closer, more will be revealed. I’m so glad you got me thinking about this. Thank you.

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  7. I know I read some Pippi, but I also know I didn’t re-read her enough to remember anything well. That said, if you’re of a mind to do so, I’d encourage you to think about a few other books you remember reading. I’ve found that seeing Little Men reminded me of it, but even more so I’ve remembered Little Women. And as I think of one book, others start to edge forward on the bookshelf in the back of my brain. And I’m finding myself reconnecting to my younger self as I think about the books as well. My guess is that your younger self is closer than you think!

    Like

  8. I LOVED Pippi!!! Why do I forget about her when I’m talking about my favorite books growing up? Weird. She’s definitely not the forgettable type. 🙂
    Thanks so much for reminding me why I loved her!

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  9. I LOVED Pippi!!! Why do I forget about her when I’m talking about my favorite books growing up? Weird. She’s definitely not the forgettable type. 🙂

    Thanks so much for reminding me why I loved her!

    Like

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