A review by serendipitysbooks
The Story of Gosta Berling by Selma Lagerlöf

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 Selma Lagerlöf became the inaugural woman winner in 1909 for the “lofty idealism, vivid imagination and spiritual perception that characterise her writings”. The Story of Gosta Berling, her debut, follows the titular character, a drunken and defrocked priest. He is destitute and ready to die when he is taken in by the wealthy mistress of a manor house who also has 12 other cavaliers under her patronage. A deal with Sintram, an accomplice of the devil, allows Berling and the other cavaliers to takeover the estate. The story has adventure and plenty of humour, along with a strong sense of place, both physical and cultural. Folklore and magical realism are key features of the plot. The overarching character arc is one of redemption. I found the moralising and religious overtones a bit much for my personal taste, although they were not atypical for their time. Additionally I may have been in a rut analytically, instantly associating the 12 cavaliers with the 12 disciples; parallels with the Knights of the Round Table never entered my head until I saw it mentioned elsewhere. But the “Christ in reverse” take is pretty compelling - Berling starts off being found guilty and defrocked (crucified) and goes on to find happiness as a simple carpenter. Very glad to have read this even if it isn’t a personal favourite.