The Saga of Gösta Berling

Interesting Facts

• «The Saga of Gösta Berling» was Selma Lagerlöf's first book and brought her widespread fame, laying the foundation for her future literary career.
• The novel was written during a period when Lagerlöf worked as a teacher and was initially conceived as a series of stories later combined into a single work.
• The story is set in Värmland, a region of Sweden that was native to Lagerlöf, and the book incorporates many local legends and folklore.
• The main character, Gösta Berling, is a pastor who was defrocked due to his behavior, and his adventures and internal struggles form the basis of the plot.
• The book explores themes of redemption, love, and human frailty, and its style combines realism with elements of magical realism and romanticism.
• «The Saga of Gösta Berling» has been adapted into several films and theatrical productions, including a 1924 silent film featuring Greta Garbo.