The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

Here is the tentative reading schedule for Gösta Berling's Saga by Selma Lagerlöf.

Please note that because most of us will be reading the book in translation, you will see the book under various titles (more on this in the comments). I've seen Gösta Berling's Saga, the Story of Gösta Berling, and Gösta Berling.

Also, the copy I'm reading has a weird chapter numbering system and I'm not sure if other editions are the same, so I've included the LAST line of each section (again, translations may vary, but you should be able to recognize it).

Week 1: January 14-21 Introduction I-II; Part I I-IV (“…strongest and weakest of men!”)

Week 2: January 21-28 Part I V-IX (“But under a load of hate I have but to die.”)

Week 3: January 28-February 4 Part I X-XIII (“She was a richly gifted person.”)

* break to catch up *

Week 4: February 11-18 Part II I-IX (“…he be despicable, contemptable, as he had been?”)

Week 5: February 18-25 Part II X-XVIII (“…thou art indeed eternal!”)

Week 6: February 25-March 3 Part II XIX-XXIII

The version I'm reading is The Story of Gosta Berling, translated by Pauline Bancroft Flach. This is the copy I found on Gutenberg. I couldn't find it by searching for "Gosta Berling" because of the umlaut (which I probably won't use going forward for convenience's sake), but I was able to find it under the author's name (which also has an umlaut, but it worked anyway).

Please feel free to share which copy you're reading and where you found it! This is still a month away, but I wanted to post this so people have time to find the book.

I might join if I have the time for it. Unfortunately, I cannot promise this at the moment. I do have the book in the Swedish original and would read it in Swedish then, though not being my native language either.
That might give the discussion an extra touch.

That would be interesting! I hope you'll be able to join us, but I understand if you can't.

I’m looking forward to this read. My edition is The Saga of Gösta Berling, Penguin Books, translated by Paul Noreen. It’s an Amazon ebook. Happy Holidays to all!

I will be reading the paperback edition of what Nancy is reading:
the Penguin translated by Paul Norlén purchased from Amazon. Some distinctions without a difference from Lori's translation:

- the beginning portion is titled Prologue rather than Introduction, but retains two divisions designated by Roman numerals and a title: I - The Minister and II - The Beggar;
- the book is not divided into any Parts;
- the book is divided into 36 continuously numbered chapters designated by Arabic numerals and a Title, such as Chapter 1 - The Landscape;
- Week 1 ends with "...strongest and weakest among people"
rather than w/ Lori's "strongest and weakest of men."
- Week 2 ends with "But I know I would die under hatred's burden"
rather than w/ Lori's “But under a load of hate I have but to die.”

Thanks for the information, Brian. It sounds like your version may actually have one fewer chapter than the one I'm reading, but I guess we'll figure that out when we get there.

My mistake Lori. There isn't a chapter list in the Table of Contents so I just looked through the book and I missed seeing the last Chapter break. There is a Chapter 36. I edited to correct my previous comment

Brian E wrote: "My mistake Lori. There isn't a chapter list in the Table of Contents so I just looked through the book and I missed seeing the last Chapter break. There is a Chapter 36. I edited to correct my prev..."

Great, thanks!

I’m reading the kindle version. I didn’t check the chapters but there wasn’t an intro

Deborah wrote: "I’m reading the kindle version. I didn’t check the chapters but there wasn’t an intro"

Yeah, I think there are going to be a few different numbering methods in the editions.

I'm waiting for my copy from the library. I will let you know about the edition when I get it as sometimes it is different than what is written on the database. Very curious about this book.

By the way, if y'all would like an extra week in the middle as a "break," let me know.

I think a break in the middle would be good.

Nancy wrote: "I think a break in the middle would be good."

Sure. We've actually reached a good point to take a break, so I've edited the reading schedule. The thread for Week 3 is up, but I'll post the thread for Week 4 next Sunday (Feb 11) instead of this coming Sunday.

I’d love a break as I am so far behind in both this and the Elliot

A break would be great as I am behind with both this book and Daniel Deronda. I had a lot at work during the last weeks and it is Gothenburg’s Film festival this week so I have focused more on films than books since last Friday. It will last until Sunday.

Hedi wrote: "A break would be great as I am behind with both this book and Daniel Deronda. I had a lot at work during the last weeks and it is Gothenburg’s Film festival this week so I have focused more on film..."

The film festival sounds fun!

Lori wrote: "Hedi wrote: "A break would be great as I am behind with both this book and Daniel Deronda. I had a lot at work during the last weeks and it is Gothenburg’s Film festival this week so I have focused..."

It is! I am mostly watching online though, as I do not have the time to go to the different cinemas all the time. I have just voted for some nominated movies which are in the international competition. And on Saturday I accompanied a friend to the world premier of a Swedish film in which she had a small role. But it was a really very low budget and very artistic movie like when you go to a museum for modern art. Afterwards I met the lead actor and actress and the directors (there were 2, one from Sweden and one from Finland), all very exciting.

Oh, and Ewan McGregor received the Honorary Dragon Award - in Gothenburg you get Dragons instead of Oscars or Golden Lions or Golden Bears ;-)