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Elsie cover

Elsie

By Alexander Lange Kielland
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About This Book

The narrative centers on a shrewd woman who runs a crowded boarding house called Noah’s Ark and cares for a foundling girl nicknamed Loppen. The housekeeper’s improvised medical practice and feud with the town physician shape local attitudes toward healing and class, while Loppen’s recovered eyesight, lighthearted laughter, and uncertain social position illuminate tensions of legitimacy, charity, and hypocrisy. Interactions among tenants, visitors, and authorities reveal contrasts between public respectability and private need, and highlight small acts of care that both ease suffering and expose societal judgment.

About the Author

Kielland, Alexander Lange portrait

Alexander Lange Kielland

Alexander Lange Kielland was a prominent Norwegian author and playwright, known for his contributions to the literary movement of realism in the late 19th century. His works often explore social issues and the complexities of human relationships, reflecting the changing dynamics of Norwegian society. Among his notable works is "Garman and Worse: A Norwegian Novel," which delves into the lives of a family in a small coastal town. Kielland's writing is characterized by its keen observations and rich character development, making him a significant figure in Norwegian literature. He also wrote extensively in various genres, including novels, short stories, and plays.

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