I would add Schnitzler to these two as there is clearly another dimension to this story which seems influenced by depth psychology.ĭoctor Glas is written in form of a fictitious diary. That’s not surprising as some of the topics (abortion, euthanasia) still lead to heated discussions.ĭoctor Glas has been compared to Zola’s Thérèse Raquin and Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. It was considered to be very scandalous when it came out. Her novel led to the rediscovery of Söderberg’s controversial book. It has just been republished for the first time last year following the success of another Swedish writer, Kerstin Ekman, who wrote a book called T agebuch eines Mörders ( Diary of a murderer) in which she tells the fictitious story of how Doctor Glas told Söderberg about the planned murder.

I tend to read books from Scandinavia in German and Söderberg’s novel Doctor Glas wasn’t available in Germany anymore. I’m familiar with some names, like Strindberg, Lindgren, Lagerlöf, and Lars Gustafsson but I hadn’t heard of Söderberg. I haven’t read a lot of Swedish literature. I’m so glad I’ve discovered this book on Danielle’s blog ( here) not too long ago. Its concerns – sexual incompatibility, abortion, euthanasia – together with its psychological insights, make it a remarkably modern work. Originally published in 1905, Doctor Glas is a novel of extraordinary immediacy and frankness. The aftermath of his death and the doctor’s unforeseen reactions to it bring the story to a chilling, horrifying close.

But when the wife takes a lover, and Doctor Glas becomes emotionally attached to her, an intolerable situation develops. She consults Doctor Glas, who for the first time violates the ethics of his profession and uses a highly unorthodox method of helping her. Gregorius, an elderly and offensive pastor, has endangered her physical and mental health. The doctor, a troubled and compassionate man, relates the strange story of the Reverend Gregorius and his pretty wife.

The haunting tale of Doctor Glas takes place in Stockholm during the closing years of the 1800s.

Doctor Glas by Hjalmar Söderberg