Rasmus and the Vagabond [Paperback]

Astrid Lindgren (Author), Gerry Bothmer (Translator)

Book Description

After running away from the orphanage, nine-year-old Rasmus finds the outside world cold and unfriendly until he meets "Paradise Oscar" who helps him find a new home.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Swedish (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014032304X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140323047
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,396,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) created the character of Pippi Longstocking to entertain her daughter. Lindgren was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her contribution to international children's literature.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book as a Kid, September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rasmus and the Vagabond (Paperback)

I must have read this book 100 times as a kid. I remember checking it out from my school library so many times that the librarian told me I should go out and buy a copy to have forever. I wish I would have taken her advice as it is now out of print. I recently found a copy at our public library and had the pleasure to read it aloud to my 7 and 9 year old boys. It was great to see them enjoy this tale as much as I had. I would read two chapters a night and every night it was the same old thing... "Just one more chapter Dad???" Reading about Rasmus and Oscar again after all of these years was like meeting up with old, long-lost friends.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Children's story, August 7, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Rasmus and the Vagabond (Hardcover)

Astrid Lindgren's book "Rasmus and the Vagabond is one of the strongest literary memories of my childhood. My family had a copy on our shelves for years until recently and I have been seeking a copy everywhere. Not just for nostalgia's sake, but out of a love for the writing. Rasmus is an orphan living a state home with a somewhat tyrrannical staff. He is made to pick nettles for the orphanage's chickens one day and finds a silver coin. This is a portentious event for Rasmus as he strikes out from the orphanage after resigning himself to never being taken in as an adoptee. On the road he finds himself lonely and sleeping in a hayloft with unknown companionship. The "Vagabond," discovers rasmus and treats him to a share of his breakfast and then a share of the wandering life of a vagabond as they run into adventure after adventure. Their discovery that they share a common stigma for run of the mill people for noone likes a hobo or an orphan. Out of this coincidence, grows a strong bond that ends in a scene of home that both wanderers not only need, but dream of. This is a book well written and exciting to the last with the elements of surprise, suspense, and comedy to capture the minds and spirits of adults and children alike

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, June 28, 2005

By 

Monty Teague (Lebanon, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rasmus and the Vagabond (Paperback)

I read this book several times when I was young. It brings together 2 people who society has forgotten. They both turn out to be great human beings. This book has adventure suspense and a great ending.