
The story opens in a stark, mountainous region where steep peaks loom over a narrow, winding valley. A horse‑drawn carriage rattles along a rough road, its driver hidden beneath a raincoat and hat, while a young girl in a woolen wrap shouts the name “Magnhild” with urgent excitement. Their journey brings them past a quiet inlet that feels like an inland sea, surrounded by low, weather‑worn houses and fields of half‑grown crops.
Soon they reach the small settlement of Ören, where a newly built wooden church stands beside a bustling dock. A wedding is under way, with a curious mix of villagers gathered in simple white attire, watching the strangers with cautious eyes. Through whispered conversation the traveler learns of a tragic past that still haunts the community, hinting at deeper stories waiting to unfold.
Language
fi
Duration
~4 hours (238K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2016-06-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1832–1910
A towering figure in 19th-century Norwegian literature, he wrote poems, plays, novels, and stories that helped shape Norway’s cultural identity. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1903 and is also remembered for writing the lyrics to Norway’s national anthem.
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