The Growth Of A Soul (1914)

The Growth of a Soul is a novel written by the renowned Swedish author August Strindberg and published in 1914. The book follows the life of a young man named Axel Borg, who is struggling to find his place in the world and to understand his own identity. The story is set in Stockholm, Sweden, during the late 19th century and early 20th century, and it explores themes such as love, family, religion, and the search for meaning in life.The novel is divided into three parts, each of which focuses on a different stage in Axel's life. In the first part, Axel is a young man who is studying to become a doctor. He is deeply in love with a young woman named Gerda, but their relationship is complicated by their different backgrounds and social status. Axel is also grappling with his own doubts and insecurities, and he begins to question his faith in God.In the second part of the book, Axel has become a successful doctor, but he is still struggling to find fulfillment in his life. He becomes involved with a married woman named Charlotte, and their affair leads him to question his own morality and values. Axel also begins to explore different philosophical and spiritual ideas, including the teachings of the Swedish mystic Emanuel Swedenborg.In the final part of the book, Axel has reached middle age and is facing a crisis of faith and identity. He returns to his hometown and reconnects with Gerda, who is now a widow. Together, they reflect on their lives and try to make sense of the world around them. The novel ends with Axel finding a sense of peace and acceptance, as he comes to understand the growth of his own soul.Overall, The Growth of a Soul is a complex and introspective novel that explores the human condition with depth and nuance. Strindberg's prose is elegant and poetic, and his characters are complex and multi-dimensional. The book is a classic of Swedish literature and a timeless exploration of the human experience.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.