Hjalmar Bergman
Encyclopedia
Hjalmar Fredrik Elgérus Bergman (19 September 1883 in Örebro
, Sweden
– 1 January 1931 in Berlin
, Germany
) was a Swedish
writer and playwright.
The son of a banker in Örebro
, Bergman briefly studied philosophy at Uppsala University
but soon broke off his studies and took up the life of a free writer. He married Stina Lindberg, the daughter of actor and stage producer August Lindberg
. Up to his father's death in 1915 Bergman was heavily sponsored by the family patriarch; after the old man died from a stroke it turned out that the family business had become highly indebted and Bergman was forced to start making money out of his writing and court readers in a more outgoing and more entertaining manner. He rose to the challenge and in the following ten years reached the peak of his work.
Much of his output takes place in a small town in mid-Sweden, which is growing into a parallel universe in a Balzacian manner. The shameful secrets of a dozen of interwoven families gradually come out of the closet as the stories grow increasingly symbolic. A pessimistic outlook is always counter-balanced by a grotesque humour - indeed in a book like Markurells i Wadköping the latter almost succeeds in completely shading the former.
After an unsuccessful bout as a manuscript writer in Hollywood Bergman's alcoholism and narcotics abuse took over, from which he died prematurely; his final novel Clownen Jac mirrors his awareness of his drift into self-destruction as well as his belief in the honesty and purpose of artistic spectacle.
Örebro
-Sites of interest:Örebro's old town Wadköping is located on the banks of Svartån . It contains many 18th and 19th century wooden houses, along with museums and exhibitions....
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
– 1 January 1931 in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) was a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
writer and playwright.
The son of a banker in Örebro
Örebro
-Sites of interest:Örebro's old town Wadköping is located on the banks of Svartån . It contains many 18th and 19th century wooden houses, along with museums and exhibitions....
, Bergman briefly studied philosophy at Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
but soon broke off his studies and took up the life of a free writer. He married Stina Lindberg, the daughter of actor and stage producer August Lindberg
August Lindberg
August Lindberg was a Swedish trade union organizer. He belonged to the Swedish Saw Mill Industry Workers Union. Lindberg was the chairman of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation from 1936-1947.-References:...
. Up to his father's death in 1915 Bergman was heavily sponsored by the family patriarch; after the old man died from a stroke it turned out that the family business had become highly indebted and Bergman was forced to start making money out of his writing and court readers in a more outgoing and more entertaining manner. He rose to the challenge and in the following ten years reached the peak of his work.
Much of his output takes place in a small town in mid-Sweden, which is growing into a parallel universe in a Balzacian manner. The shameful secrets of a dozen of interwoven families gradually come out of the closet as the stories grow increasingly symbolic. A pessimistic outlook is always counter-balanced by a grotesque humour - indeed in a book like Markurells i Wadköping the latter almost succeeds in completely shading the former.
After an unsuccessful bout as a manuscript writer in Hollywood Bergman's alcoholism and narcotics abuse took over, from which he died prematurely; his final novel Clownen Jac mirrors his awareness of his drift into self-destruction as well as his belief in the honesty and purpose of artistic spectacle.
Works
- Maria, Jesu moder (1905)
- Amourer (1910)
- Hans Nåds testamente (1910, His Grace's Will or The Baron's Will, adapted into a filmHis Lordship's Last WillHis Lordship's Last Will is a 1919 Swedish silent drama film directed by Victor Sjöström.-Cast:* Karl Mantzius - His Lordship* Carl Browallius - Wickberg* Greta Almroth - Blenda* Tyra Dørum - Mrs. Enberg* Georg Blickingberg - Toni...
in 1919) - Marionettspel (1917) (Marionette Plays, includes Mr Sleeman Is Coming)
- En döds memoarer (1918, English translation Memoirs of a Dead Man, trans. Neil SmithNeil Smith-Sports:* Neil Smith , former football player in the National Football League* Neil Smith , English cricketer...
, 2007) - Markurells i Wadköping (1919, God's Orchid)
- Farmor och vår Herre (1921, Thy Rod and Thy Staff)
- Chefen Fru Ingeborg (1924)
- Clownen Jac (1930, Jac The Clown)