A review by stierwood
The Saga of Gösta Berling by Selma Lagerlöf

adventurous hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Bought this one on a trip to Sweden in December and as vibes go, it didn't disappoint. It was idyllic and whimsical. A book that read like a victorian house, with long hallways that opened into doors inside whose rooms you found out a little more about the world that surrounds us and the people in it.

Gösta berling is nothing if not a pisces man. Which was both very endearing and often pissed me off.

My complaint is that there was no plot really, just vibes. And usually I like stuff like that but for a book called "the Saga of Gösta Berling, Gösta Berling 's role was surprisingly small. I wanted more of him, even if there weren't much plot! 

I loved the touches of magic-- it wasn't about magic, but here and there we were surprised with entirely fantastical characters (like Sintram and the wood nymph). 

I marked a few really powerful aphorisms. 

It definitely did read more like a collection of short stories surrounding one world and one cast of characters. Each one contained a message and much food for thought. 

I have soooo much cariño for Sweden bro 🇸🇪