Subject
Swedish fiction -- Translations into Dutch Books
Best books
Selma Lagerlöf
Ingrid
Ingrid by Selma Lagerlöf is a novel written in the late 19th century. Set in Sweden, it follows Gunnar Hede, a gifted violinist and heir desperate to save the Monnikshut estate, and Ingrid, a gentle orphan whose life intersects with his. Mixing folk-legend atmosphere with romance and moral struggle, it explores art, duty, love, and the pull of home. The opening follows Gunnar Hede in Uppsala as a blunt friend warns him that his family estate is failing and his violin obsession has stalled his studies. After a street performance reveals his power to move crowds, Gunnar resolves to earn money, later taking to the road as a peddler; a disastrous winter drive with hundreds of goats and a broken engagement unhinge him, and he becomes the half-mad wanderer people call “Geitebok.” The scene shifts to Roglanda, where the dreamy, put-upon Ingrid, adopted by a poor pastor’s family, falls gravely ill, lapses into a trance, and is buried as if dead. On a blazing Sunday, the wandering Hede avoids the church, plays his violin by a fresh grave, and—troubled by a sound—unscrews the coffin, reviving Ingrid. Terrified of being seen in her shroud, she persuades him to hide her in his pack and carry her to the parsonage, arriving as the household prepares for her funeral.
Selma Lagerlöf
Vonken
"Vonken" by Selma Lagerlöf is a collection of stories likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative unfolds through various characters and their experiences, reflecting themes of human nature, morality, and relationships. As the title suggests, the stories may examine moments of illumination or revelation in the lives of the protagonists, hinting at Lagerlöf's renowned ability to blend the magical with the moral. At the start of "Vonken," readers are introduced to Anders Öster, a grave digger in Svartsjö, who faces rejection when inviting townsfolk to his Christmas Eve celebration. As he returns home, his sense of indignation mounts. In a darkly comedic twist, he jokingly extends his invitation to a skull he discovers by the graveyard, setting off a chain of events that reveals deeper themes of humanity, despair, and the quest for connection. The opening establishes a tone of existential reflection, underlining how seemingly minor interactions can spark significant changes and insights within individuals.
Selma Lagerlöf
Gösta Berling
"Gösta Berling" by Selma Lagerlöf is a novel published in 1891. A defrocked Lutheran priest is rescued from death and joins a band of eccentric pensioners at a Swedish manor in 1820s Värmland. Together, they seize control of the estate and embark on wild adventures filled with wolves, snow, and supernatural elements. Through romance, scandal, and chaos, the charming poet Gösta Berling leads his fellow revelers toward redemption in this prose epic of Swedish country life.
Selma Lagerlöf
Oud en nieuw
"Oud en nieuw" by Selma Lagerlöf is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The work is characterized by a blend of realism and fantasy, exploring themes of human nature, morality, and the supernatural. Through its narratives, the collection offers poignant reflections on society, family, and the spirit of the Christmas season, inviting readers into a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. The opening of the collection presents a series of intriguing scenes that introduce the reader to various characters and their struggles. It starts with the tale of a robber's wife who attempts to beg for food with her children, leading them to an unexpected encounter with a monastic garden full of flowers. This meeting creates a contrast between the harshness of their life in the woods and the beauty and tranquility of the monastery, reflecting on themes of desperation, nature, and the longing for something more. The subsequent sections introduce various tales that further delve into the human condition, showcasing Lagerlöf's lyrical prose and ability to intertwine the mundane with magical elements, setting the tone for the stories that follow.
Selma Lagerlöf
De groote betoovering
De groote betoovering by Selma Lagerlöf is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set in 18th-century Värmland, it centers on a royal signet ring buried with General Bengt Löwensköld; when the ring is stolen, a chain of misfortune and obsession spreads through peasants and gentry alike, blurring superstition and justice. Early on we meet the Löwensköld family, the worried farmer Baard Baardson and his household, a sober-minded pastor, and a peaceable cavalry captain drawn into the ring’s ominous wake. The opening of the novel presents the general’s portrait and his cherished ring from King Charles XII, buried with him in the family crypt. When the vault lies open after a child’s burial, Baard and his wife slip in at night, pry open the coffin, and take the ring; their home burns that same night, and a series of calamities follows. Years later, destitute and dying, Baard summons the pastor, confesses the theft, and hands over the ring; his son Ingilbert then tries to seize it on a marsh path but is foiled when the pastor escapes. After the pastor informs the Ritmeester, a search party goes into the woods and instead finds Ingilbert dead—apparently terrified to death—while the ring has vanished; suspicion shifts to three farmers carrying the body, who are arrested when only an empty goatskin purse turns up.
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