The Huldrefish by Jonas Lie (1883)
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman who becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and societal expectations in rural Norway during the late 19th century. She marries a man significantly older than her, but their union is marked by tension and unhappiness. The woman's desire for independence and autonomy is stifled by the societal norms that dictate her role as a wife and mother. As she navigates this challenging environment, she begins to develop feelings for another man, which further complicates her situation. The novel explores themes of love, duty, and the constraints placed on women during this time period. Through the protagonist's struggles, the author sheds light on the societal pressures that shape individual lives and the consequences of conforming to or rebelling against these expectations.
By Jonas Lie · First published 1883 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Magical Realism · 1,054 words
First lines
It was such an odd trout that Nona hauled in at the end of his fishing-line. Large and fat, red spotted and shiny, it sprawled and squirmed, with its dirty yellow belly above the water, to wriggle off the hook. And when he got it into the boat, and took it off the hook, he saw that it had only two small slits where the eyes should have been.
It must be a huldrefish, thought one of the boatmen, for rumour had it that that lake was one of those which had a double bottom.
What this Textopian page supports
The Huldrefish is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jonas Lie, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jonas Lie
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Magical Realism, Horror, Literary Fiction
- Length: 1,054 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Huldrefish by Jonas Lie
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Huldrefish?
- How does this short story by Jonas Lie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Toby by Mary E. Wilkins
- The Earth Draws by Jonas Lie
- Gabrielle De Bergerac by Henry James
- A Passionate Pilgrim by Henry James
- Minka by Paul Heyse
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative features fantastical elements such as a mythical fish and a subterranean world, characteristic of the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey through an unknown and mystical environment, embodying the adventure genre.
- Magical Realism — The blending of ordinary life with extraordinary elements, such as the huldrefish and surreal experiences, aligns with magical realism.
- Horror — The presence of monstrous creatures and a dark, eerie atmosphere contributes to a sense of horror.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Norwegian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Realism · Social Commentary · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Class Conflict · Morality · Ethics · Identity Crisis