Ibsen's Kingdom: The Man and His Works

Henrik Ibsen, a Norwegian playwright, achieved unparalleled success in the 19th century and remains one of the most important figures in modern drama. Evert Sprinchorn's biography, Ibsen's Kingdom, constructs his life through a biographical reading of his plays, presenting insightful analyses of his works and their place in 19th-century Europe. It is an exemplary biography of the "Norwegian sphinx" and will captivate anyone interested in the history of drama and modernism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 688 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

Henrik Ibsen, a towering figure in modern drama, is the subject of a comprehensive biography that delves into his life and work through a biographical lens. Evert Sprinchorn, a renowned scholar of Scandinavian literature, has undertaken an exhaustive examination of Ibsen's life and artistic achievements in his book, Ibsen's Kingdom. Joan Templeton, the author of Ibsen's Women, praises it as an exemplary biography, describing Ibsen as the "Norwegian sphinx." Choice magazine also hails it as an exemplary work, acknowledging Ibsen's unparalleled success and enduring influence in the world of theater.

Sprinchorn's biography spans Ibsen's entire life, from his early years in Norway to his international acclaim. It employs a biographical reading of Ibsen's plays to construct a rich and nuanced portrait of the artist. Through meticulous research and analysis, Sprinchorn sheds light on the social, political, and intellectual contexts that shaped Ibsen's works. He explores the themes and motifs that permeate his plays, such as gender roles, social inequality, and the search for identity.

One of the key strengths of Sprinchorn's biography is its ability to place Ibsen's plays within the broader context of nineteenth-century European culture. He demonstrates how Ibsen's works resonated with audiences across different countries and continents, and how they contributed to the development of modern drama. Sprinchorn also highlights Ibsen's influence on other artists and intellectuals, such as playwright George Bernard Shaw and novelist Virginia Woolf.

The book is filled with provocative and insightful analyses of Ibsen's plays. Sprinchorn delves into the artistic techniques and innovations that Ibsen employed, such as realism, symbolism, and psychological depth. He explores how Ibsen's plays challenged traditional theatrical conventions and pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in the world of theater.

Sprinchorn's biography is not only informative and useful but also captivating and thought-provoking. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of drama and the foundations of modernism. The book offers a fresh perspective on Ibsen's life and work, challenging readers to reevaluate his contributions to the world of theater and beyond.

In conclusion, Evert Sprinchorn's Ibsen's Kingdom is a groundbreaking biography that provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Henrik Ibsen's life and work. Through a biographical reading of his plays, Sprinchorn constructs a rich and nuanced portrait of the artist, placing him within the social, political, and intellectual contexts of nineteenth-century Europe. The book offers provocative and insightful analyses of Ibsen's plays, demonstrating their genius and their influential place in the history of drama and modernism. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of theater and the foundations of modernism.

Weight: 1126g
Dimension: 167 x 243 x 46 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300228663