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<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMy favorite story was the first one, The Girl from the Marsh Croft<\/em>, which tells of a simple girl living on a remote farm and the love story that unfolds around her. With The Young Countess<\/em> and The Ball at Ekeby<\/em>, Lagerl\u00f6f depicts two scenes from the rural nobility that are loosely connected. I also particularly enjoyed the last story, The Downy Girl<\/em>, which leaves room for interpretation and is simply beautifully told. In between, there are several shorter stories, among which I found Reor\u2019s Saga<\/em> especially atmospheric \u2014 it could easily fit into a world like Tolkien\u2019s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Lagerl\u00f6f\u2019s 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\u2019s an element I truly love in books. Soon, the short story effect kicked in again \u2014 it was simply fun to explore one story after another. While the stories aren\u2019t 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Selma Lagerl\u00f6f was born in Sweden in 1858 and is best known today for her children\u2019s book The Wonderful Adventures of Nils<\/em>. She is one of Sweden\u2019s 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 V\u00e4rmland, which she sought to preserve through her stories. I haven\u2019t read much by her yet, apart from the aforementioned Nils Holgersson<\/em> 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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 \u2014 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\u2019t go wrong \u2014 you\u2019ll definitely have a charming book to display on your shelf.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Conclusion:<\/strong> Love Stories<\/em> by Selma Lagerl\u00f6f is a collection of engaging and atmospheric tales. The brief yet evocative descriptions of nature and landscape enhance the stories beautifully. Readers shouldn\u2019t 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 \u2014 to unwind and dream a little.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Book information:<\/strong> Liebesgeschichten<\/em> \u2022 Selma Lagerl\u00f6f \u2022 Nikol Verlag \u2022 208 pages \u2022 ISBN 9783868207064<\/p>\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This book of love stories by Selma Lagerl\u00f6f 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 … <\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n