Niels Lyhne by J. P. Jacobsen
Niels Lyhne, an aspiring poet, is torn between the romanticism and faith of the old tradition, and modern notions of realism and reason. His relationship with different women, including his young aunt Edele, a free spirit of Copenhagen, and Mrs. Boye, a passionate artist, only lead him to further disillusionment as he searches for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Published in 1880, Niels Lyhne, Jacobsen's second novel, was not as well received as his first, neither by reviewers nor the public. There wasn't a second printing until after his death in 1885.
Though overlooked in its own time, Niels Lyhne has since come to be recognized as a landmark of psychological realism and a major influence on writers such as Rainer Maria Rilke and James Joyce. Jacobsen's lyrical, introspective prose traces one man's quiet struggle with faith, love, and mortality, offering a portrait of doubt and longing that feels remarkably modern for a novel of its era.
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