More on mining

Having read Kjartan Fløgstad´s book about mines (and suggested that we stop mining Svalbard altogether), I´ve had the pleasure to read the book "Siri fra Svalbard" by the Danish writer Estrid Ott, which offered a more romantic view on the subject.




Now, I would classify "Siri fra Svalbard" as a typical "pikebok", a book from the first part of last century which is suitably dramatic, funny and romantic for a girl the age between 12 and 18. I think Evy Bøgenæs (1906-1985) is a good representative for the Norwegian-style pikebok - books about ordinary girls around 16-17 years, who end up getting engaged to the galant/sporty/sensible/handsome/kind hero. Which invariably is the End of Story.

"Anne of Green Gables" by Canadian Lucy Maud Montgomery is another, well-known example - the books about her continue beyond marriage and even tell the story about her daughter (I seem to remember that those were the boring ones).

Siri, who lives in Longyearbyen sometime just before World War 2, is 14 years old and has no interest in boys. She is, however, very interested in mining and spends a lot of her time in mines with her father the mining-engineer. The book also offers descriptions on activities like hunting, driving dog sledges and being onboard an icebreaker. And meeting a herd of muskox (they were introduced by humans in 1929 and lasted until around 1960). But mining is what interest Siri the most, so much that she is determined to become a mine-worker herself. Not an easy choice for a girl in the 1930´s, but a brave one.

I see that I sound a bit ironic - that´s unfair, really, as the book is both engaging and sweet. It describes a child´s life on Svalbard rather romantically, but still it seems genuine. It´s interesting from a historic point too - for instance, her description of the "new" town that´s being built upvalley is interesting to read, as a lot of those buildings are almost gone today (but those that are left are still called "the new town"- Nybyen). Also, she explores a Swedish mining settlement, deserted because of a burning mine, that I suppose is Svea today.

This is not a book to get hold of through the usual channels, like shops - I borrowed this copy from the local, excellent library (it was recommended to me, otherwise I´m sure I´d never have discovered it). Pikebøker like these are seldom printed again, as they´re certainly not the fashion anymore.

I suspect this isn´t a big loss for humanity, but in sentimental moments I return to the old copies, and look up the favourite passages. I´m sure quite a few women out there know what I mean!