Liebesgeschichten • Selma Lagerlöf

This book of love stories by Selma Lagerlöf had been on my wish list for a long time, and it took me months before I finally ordered it. Then it took me just as long to actually read it. However, the reading experience was thoroughly enjoyable, and in hindsight, I wondered why I had waited so long. Whether this book is suitable for reading in a beach chair — you’ll find out in the next few paragraphs.

Eight love stories by Selma Lagerlöf are collected in this lovely little volume. All of them are set in rural Sweden, framed by beautifully described scenery. They tell of simple farm folk, wealthy landowners, and noble countesses. The first story, at around 70 pages, is the longest, but there are also very short tales that span only a few pages.

My favorite story was the first one, The Girl from the Marsh Croft, which tells of a simple girl living on a remote farm and the love story that unfolds around her. With The Young Countess and The Ball at Ekeby, Lagerlöf depicts two scenes from the rural nobility that are loosely connected. I also particularly enjoyed the last story, The Downy Girl, which leaves room for interpretation and is simply beautifully told. In between, there are several shorter stories, among which I found Reor’s Saga especially atmospheric — it could easily fit into a world like Tolkien’s.

Lagerlöf’s stories all move at a pleasant pace. She drives the plots forward, yet always takes time for details and descriptions of the landscape and nature. As a reader, you can easily picture the settings, feeling transported to a world that appears quite picturesque. For me, that’s an element I truly love in books. Soon, the short story effect kicked in again — it was simply fun to explore one story after another. While the stories aren’t sharply pointed or full of twists, they have a beautiful narrative arc and are entertaining throughout. They are well-rounded tales that are relaxing to read, though not so striking that they will stay in memory for a very long time.

Selma Lagerlöf was born in Sweden in 1858 and is best known today for her children’s book The Wonderful Adventures of Nils. She is one of Sweden’s most renowned authors and, in 1909, became the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. A major theme in her work is the way of life in 19th-century Värmland, which she sought to preserve through her stories. I haven’t read much by her yet, apart from the aforementioned Nils Holgersson story, which I own in an abridged but beautifully illustrated edition. After these lovely love stories, though, I definitely feel inspired to read more of her work.

The Nikol Verlag now offers numerous classics in clothbound editions with gold embossing. The books are truly beautifully designed. I already own several volumes from this series because they are very affordable and aesthetically pleasing. However, they come without any extra luxuries — no ribbon bookmark, and just an ordinary (though sturdy) glued binding. The translations are mostly older, and several of the stories can also be found online for free in identical text form. For me, it always depends on the author and the book whether I prefer a particularly fine edition or if a simpler one will do. With these classics from Nikol Verlag, you can’t go wrong — you’ll definitely have a charming book to display on your shelf.

Conclusion: Love Stories by Selma Lagerlöf is a collection of engaging and atmospheric tales. The brief yet evocative descriptions of nature and landscape enhance the stories beautifully. Readers shouldn’t expect high tension or punchlines, but the pace, style, and idyllic rural setting give these stories their own special charm. The affordable yet beautifully crafted and solid edition from Nikol Verlag is highly recommended. A perfect book for the beach chair or a day by the sea — to unwind and dream a little.

Book information: Liebesgeschichten • Selma Lagerlöf • Nikol Verlag • 208 pages • ISBN 9783868207064