32 pages • 1 hour read
Ghosts
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Book Brief
48
Play • Fiction
Norway • 1880s
1881
Adult
18+ years
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.
Dark
Mysterious
Emotional
Unnerving
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
17,533 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
17,533 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
48
Play • Fiction
Norway • 1880s
1881
Adult
18+ years
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