32 pages 1 hour read

Henrik Ibsen

Ghosts

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1881

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen chronicles a day in the life of Helen Alving as she prepares to open an orphanage in honor of her late husband. The play unfolds through the complicated dynamics with her son, Oswald, and unveils family secrets, including the true parentage of Regina, a young maid. The narrative grapples with complex social issues like sexually transmitted infections, incest, and euthanasia.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts is lauded for its daring exploration of societal taboos and complex character portrayals, starkly challenging 19th-century norms. While some praise its unflinching realism and psychological depth, others criticize its perceived moralizing tone and bleak narrative. Despite polarizing opinions, it remains a powerful commentary on inherited guilt and societal hypocrisy.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Ghosts?

Readers who appreciate societal critique and psychological depth in literature will enjoy Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts. Those moved by the moral complexities in A Doll's House or the dark familial explorations in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman will find similar themes and challenges in Ghosts, making it a compelling read for fans of intense drama.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Drama

Psychological Fiction

Scandinavian Literature

Period

Realism

Victorian Period

Topics

Health / Medicine

Religion / Spirituality

Finance / Money / Wealth

Themes

Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Relationships: Family