Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Pär Fabian Lagerkvist (23 May 1891 – 11 July 1974) was a Swedish author who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1951.

Lagerkvist wrote poems, plays, novels, stories, and essays of considerable expressive power and influence[citation needed] from his early 20s to his late 70s. One of his central themes was the fundamental question of good and evil, which he examined through such figures as Barabbas, the man who was freed instead of Jesus, and Ahasuerus, the Wandering Jew. As a moralist, he used religious motifs and figures from the Christian tradition without following the doctrines of the church.

His prose novella Bödeln ("The Hangman", 1933), later adapted for the stage (The Hangman, 1933; play, 1934), shows his growing concern with the totalitarianism and brutality that began to sweep across Europe in the years prior to World War II. Nazism was one of the main targets of the work and Der Stürmer responded with a very dismissive review. Criticism against Fascism is also present in the play Mannen utan själ (The Man Without a Soul, 1936).

Lagerkvist's 1944 novel Dvärgen (The Dwarf), a searching, ironic tale about evil, was the first to bring him positive international attention outside of the Nordic countries. The work was followed in 1949 by the unusual, lyrical play Låt människan leva (Let Man Live).

Barabbas (1950), which was immediately hailed as a literary masterpiece (by fellow Nobel laureate André Gide, among others) is probably Lagerkvist's most famous work. The novel is based on a Biblical story. A movie based upon the novel was filmed in 1961, with Anthony Quinn playing the title role.

Please join us in any of his works of Prose, Poetry or Theatre.

I will be reading Barabbas.

I read Barabbas last year in group, it’s a 5 star read , though it is biblical themed and new for me, it has humane approach which is one of the key features of great literature.

That's good to know, Nidhi.

I'm halfway through Barabbas. It's a moving story of the man who was chosen by the crowd to be freed from crucifixion instead of Jesus. I'm interested what the author will do with the rest of the story.

I am still looking for this one. I was hoping to find it, or other great finds at our new Bookstore downtown today when it opens at 10am.

I think I have one something by him in a combo book of Nobel Prize Library but I cannot find the book. I am just going to have to sit in front of the bookcases and scan for it!

Hope you find a book by Lagerkvist soon, Lesle.

I finished Barabbas in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. It was very moving. The portrayal of the life of a slave in the Roman Empire during the 1st century A.D. was eye-opening.

I've just finished Barabbas and agree with Kathy-it is a very moving story.

I felt like I was right there with Barabbas, Rosemarie.

The author was successful in showing us Barabbas' bewilderment, and the tragedy of his lonely life.

I read some works by Lagerkvist this year and would definitely recommend those. Herod and Mariamne and The Death of Ahasuerus Ahasverus död Signed / Ingraverat & Inscribed / Underskrivet to "Peace" are short but powerful stories about Biblical themes, about good and evil and about redemption. The Dwarf is a study of the pure evil. But if You want something very different and an insight in Lagerkvist's childhood You should search for Gäst hos verkligheten.

Thank you Inese for your recommendations!

Last minute notice, but I just caught this...
"The Sibyl" is a featured deal on chirpbooks thru this month... $2,99 for audio 😊 no subscriprion needed.

How did I miss this thread? I love Pär Lagerkvist. My favorite is Herod and Mariamne. But like much of Lagerkvist’s work, it’s out-of print.

Among his books that are in print is the short story collection The Marriage Feast which I highly recommend.