Title: Gösta Berling
Author: Selma Lagerlöf
First published January 1, 1891
385 pages, Paperback
ISBN: (ISBN10: 9026975430)
Rating: 3.67
Overview
Selma Lagerlöf’s unforgettable book, Gösta Berling, has been awarded the Nobel Prize and translated into over forty languages. In a captivating blend of fantasy and reality, the author depicts life in Sweden at the beginning of the 19th century.
The main character is the defrocked pastor Gösta Berling; a man full of paradoxes, addicted to alcohol, and loved by all women. Along with eleven joyful cavaliers, he experiences hilarious, touching, and tragic stories, making for an unforgettable journey.
About the Author
Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlöf was a Swedish author who made history in 1909 by becoming the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Nobel committee acknowledged her lofty idealism, vivid imagination, and spiritual perception that were evident in her writings.
Lagerlöf grew up in the forested countryside of Sweden where she was exposed to classic Swedish fairytales that later inspired her magic realist writings. Due to a faulty hip, she had trouble with her legs in her early years, and thus, she would spend much of her time reading books, including the Bible.
Before her writing career, Lagerlöf taught in the southern part of Sweden for ten years. She maintained correspondence with some of her female colleagues from her teaching days throughout her life.
Despite being a prolific writer, she never married and was likely a lesbian, though she never publicly admitted it. For many years, her constant companion was fellow writer Sophie Elkan, and they traveled together to Italy and the Middle East.
Lagerlöf’s visit to Palestine, where she encountered a Christian colony, inspired her to write Jerusalem, a story about Swedish farmers converting to evangelical Christianity and traveling to “The American Colony” in Jerusalem.
Lagerlöf was involved in women’s issues and politics. She helped Jewish writer Nelly Sachs come to Sweden and donated her Nobel medal to the Finnish war effort against the Soviet Union.
Her most famous work outside of Sweden is likely her children’s book.
Editoral Review
Selma Lagerlöf’s Gösta Berling is a fascinating work of literature that has captivated readers since its initial publication in 1891. Lagerlöf was the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909, and Gösta Berling is a powerful example of her innovative storytelling style.
This novel is a unique blend of fairytale elements and historical realism, which makes it stand out from other works of the same era. Gösta Berling takes place in a small town in Sweden and follows the story of Gösta, who has been dismissed from his position as a priest and is now living a life of debauchery.
He joins a group of other outcasts who have also been cast out by society, and together they live a life of hedonism and rebellion. The novel explores deep themes such as love, redemption, friendship, and the power of community.
One of the strengths of Gösta Berling is the vivid and complex characters that Lagerlöf has created. Gösta is a complex anti-hero who is at once charming and deeply flawed.
His gradual transformation over the course of the novel is a testament to Lagerlöf’s skill in creating rich, dynamic characters. The supporting characters are just as vivid, each with their own unique backgrounds and motivations that add depth and nuance to the story.
The setting of the novel, which takes place in rural Sweden during the 19th century, is also a standout element of this work. Lagerlöf’s descriptions of the landscapes and the people who inhabit them are beautifully rendered, creating a sense of place that is both dreamy and grounded in reality.
Despite its many strengths, there are some limitations to Gösta Berling which may be off-putting to some readers. The pacing can be slow at times, especially in the first half of the novel when Lagerlöf is introducing the many different characters and their backstories.
The novel can also be quite dark, with heavy themes that may not be suitable for all readers. Overall, Gösta Berling is a fascinating work of literature that is deserving of its status as a classic.
With its complex characters, beautiful setting, and innovative storytelling style, it is a novel that will captivate readers of all ages. If you are a fan of historical fiction, character-driven narratives, or stories that explore deep themes of redemption and community, then Gösta Berling is definitely worth checking out.
On a scale of 1-5, I would rate this novel a 4.5.
