Anna Svärd (novel)
Anna Svärd is a 1928 novel by the Swedish writer Selma Lagerlöf. It is the last installment in Lagerlöf's Ring trilogy, where it follows The Löwensköld Ring and Charlotte Löwensköld.[1]
| Author | Selma Lagerlöf |
|---|---|
| Translator | Velma Swanston Howard |
| Country | Sweden |
| Language | Swedish |
| Publisher | Bonniers |
Publication date | 1928 |
Published in English | 1931 |
| Pages | 441 |
Anna Svärd was first translated into English by Velma Swanston Howard under the original title, and so published by Doubleday, Doran in 1931 as part of its edition of the trilogy under the title The Ring of the Löwenskölds (LCCN 31-985).
Many lives are interwoven in the book: Karl-Arthur himself, the preacher with his self-defeating ideals of self-denial and sacrifice, the practical valley girl Anna Svärd, who holds on to her own to the very end and does not want to share with anyone in heaven or on earth, Charlotte Schagerström who lives happily with her husband but still cannot forget Karl-Arthur, the obnoxious Thea Sundler, the "baron of jokes" Göran Löwensköld, a cavalier figure, and the entire Löwensköld family in Karlstad and at Hedeby Farm. The story also weaves in many episodes alongside the plot, fairy tales and folk tales, in Lagerlöf's characteristic narrative style.
Plot
Karl-Artur like most of the priests loves God deeply, but he doesn´t have much people skills. In this part of the series he gets involved with Anna Svärd, an indecisive sales agent. After breaking up abruptly with Charlotte, Karl's only intentions are to find a woman to help him pay his bill and forget about poverty for good. On the other hand, Anna is eager to marry anyone to have a better life. But the unimaginable occurs - Thea's return gives the story a grotesque spin.
See also
References
- "Selma Lagerlöf - Bibliography". nobelprize.org. Nobel Media. Retrieved 2012-04-16.