The Story of Gösta Berling

The Story of Gösta Berling follows a disillusioned priest who, after falling from grace due to alcoholism, becomes a wanderer and finds refuge among eccentric pensioners at a grand estate in rural Sweden. As he navigates love, redemption, and societal expectations, Gösta grapples with personal and moral dilemmas, particularly in his relationships with the formidable major's wife and the beautiful Marianne Sinclair.

By Selma Lagerlof · First published 1891 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy · 38 chapters · 151,098 words

First lines

At last the minister stood in the pulpit. The heads of the congregation were lifted. Well, there he finally was. There would be no default this Sunday, as on the last and on many other Sundays before.

The minister was young, tall, slender, and strikingly handsome. With a helmet on his head, and girt with sword and shirt of mail, he could have been cut in marble and taken for an ideal of Grecian beauty.

What this Textopian page supports

The Story of Gösta Berling is listed on Textopian as a novel by Selma Lagerlof, dated 1891 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Selma Lagerlof
• Date: 1891 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
• Length: 151,098 words
• Structure: 38 chapters, 3,312 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Story of Gösta Berling by Selma Lagerlof
• 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 Story of Gösta Berling?
• How does this novel by Selma Lagerlof fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

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• The Flight Into Egypt by Selma Lagerlof
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• The Sacred Flame by Selma Lagerlof

Genres

• Literary Fiction — The novel explores complex characters and themes, focusing on personal and societal struggles.
• Historical Fiction — Set in 19th century Sweden, it reflects the historical context and cultural elements of the time.
• Fantasy — Incorporates elements of folklore and magical realism, blending the ordinary with the extraordinary.
• Romance — Features romantic relationships that are central to the character development and plot.

Tags

Historical Fiction · Swedish Literature · Romance · Coming-of-Age · Social Commentary · Nobility · Love Triangle · Family Drama · Moral Ambiguity · Cultural Heritage · National Identity · Class Struggle

Contents

• The Priest
• The Landscape
• Cousin Christopher
• The Beggar
• Christmas Eve
• The Paths of Life
• Christmas Day
• Penitence
• Gösta Berling, Poet
• The Iron from Ekeby
• La Cachucha
• Lilliecrona's Home
• The Ball at Ekeby
• The Witch of Dovre
• The Old Vehicles
• Midsummer
• The Great Bear in Gurlitta Cliff
• Madame Musica
• The Auction at Björne
• The Broby Clergyman
• The Young Countess
• Patron Julius
• Ghost-Stories
• The Plaster Saints
• Ebba Dohna's Story
• God's Wayfarer
• Mamselle Marie
• The Churchyard
• Old Songs
• Death, the Deliverer
• The Drought
• The Child's Mother
• Amor Vincit Omnia
• The Broom-Girl
• Kevenhüller
• Broby Fair
• The Forest Cottage
• Margareta Celsing

More by Selma Lagerlof

• The Spirit of Fasting and Petter Nord (1909)
• The Legend of the Bird's Nest (1906)
• The King's Grave (1907)
• The Outlaws (1912)
• The Legend of Reor (1906)
• Valdemar Atterdag (1914)
• Mamsell Fredrika (1904)
• The Romance of a Fisherman's Wife (1888)
• All works by Selma Lagerlof