The Saga of Gösta Berling

Brief Overview

«The Saga of Gösta Berling» is a novel by Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf, telling the story of a defrocked priest, Gösta Berling, who, after being expelled from the church, finds refuge at the Ekeby estate, managed by a strong and independent woman known as the Major's wife. Gösta becomes one of the cavaliers living at Ekeby and, along with other characters, experiences numerous adventures and trials. The novel explores themes of redemption, love, and human frailty, intertwining real events with elements of Swedish folklore and mythology. Through the fates of her characters, Lagerlöf reveals complex human relationships and moral dilemmas, creating a rich and layered depiction of 19th-century Swedish life.