The Emperor of Portugallia
Gelesen von Lars Rolander (1942-2016)
Selma Lagerlöf
(5 Sterne; 6 Bewertungen)
Selma Lagerlöf was born in Vaermland, Sweden, in 1858 and enjoyed a long and very successful career as a writer, receiving the Nobel-Prize in Literature in 1909. She died in Vaermland in 1940. The Emperor of Portugallia was first Published 1914 in Sweden, and 1916 in English, translated by Velma Swanston Howard. The Story i set in Vaermland around 1860 or 1870. In the centre is Jan of Ruffluck Croft. He loves his daughter more than anything, but when she moves to Stockholm and never sends a word home about her doings, he sinks into a dream-world where she is a noble Empress of Portugallia. And he believes himself to be Emperor too. His whole world and all his thoughts are dominated by the thoughts of her return and what will happen then. In the role of Emperor in the poor forest country where he lives he can question the social hierarchies around him, and dressed in his Royal regalia he sits in the frontbench in the Church, and he takes the place of honour at Parties etc. After 15 years his daughter returns home and is shocked to see what a mad clown her father has become and .... (Summary by Lars Rolander) (7 hr 10 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
The Emperor of Portugallia
TheBookworm
(5 Sterne)
The sparseness of the prose reflects the bleak Scandinavian setting in this gripping story of a life changed utterly by love. But that sounds depressing which, ultimately, this book is not. The author does a brilliant job of showing us the wisdom that sometimes resides in what the world calls delusion. All in all, one of the best books I've heard in a long time. Lars Rolander's slow pacing, mature voice, and interesting diction is a real treat and is perfectly suited to this piece. Tack sa mycket, Lars! More please. TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)