This book traces the awakening that the protagonist Nora undergoes, as she experiences a crisis in her marital life. When her husband Torvald fails to meet the fantasy & expectations she had constructed about him & chooses to not fulfil his basic responsibilities as her husband, a major inner & outer shift takes place in her life. Nora‘s sudden change of heart can be jarring. But I feel each person reacts to relationship trauma in different ways.
Fantastic short story/play, set in a Norwegian town circa 1879. Old feminist literature, but still very relevant.
This quick moving play was fun on audio with an all-star casting featuring Calista Flockhart as Nora Helmer, a housewife in the late 1800's Norway when a woman was expected to look pretty and not worry her pretty little head with real decisions. Nora dared to take control of life where she could. As a former theater kid, I think Nora would be damn fun to play. Nora is fast-talking, charming, enjoys pretty things, but also makes some ⬇️
A social play focusing on a married couple in late 19th century Norway (contemporary when Ibsen wrote it). I enjoyed reading it. Didn‘t love the characters, especially Torvald at the end, but Nora‘s realisation about herself and their marriage was interesting and I liked the ending. I can see why it‘s performed so often.
7.5/10
My June #BookSpin read
Loved this. His commentary on 19th century marriage and it‘s treatment of women was fascinating. It makes me want to read more. Interesting though is it‘s ending that has Nora going back to her home as though it is still there and if it is, why could it not be sold before? It is odd to think that what was women‘s lack of choices - no economic independence - is not dealt with here realistically. Still, I loved this.
For those who don't know, this is actually a play. It centers around Nora and Torvald, a couple who are happy on the surface, but underneath carry secrets that could destroy their relationship. I thought it was pretty good; I just thought Nora's view of her marriage changed quite drastically very quickly. It was quite progressive for its time, though; at that time, you didn't often see unsatisfactory marriages or any mention of divorce. 🌟🌟🌟
woah....
i hadn‘t heard much about this book earlier, but its third act shook me to my core.
I‘m 1887 the play started riots because a woman had the audacity to discover her real self. Beautiful and classic.
Day 9: #FallingOutOfLove #FebruaryFeels
I named my daughter after Nora from A Doll‘s House because I wanted her to have the same strength to stand up for herself. Nora‘s overbearing and condescending husband Torvald had it coming.
I‘ve just re-read this, having read and seen it at the theatre around 20 years ago when I was at college. I definitely appreciate more of the themes and concepts now that I‘m older (and wiser?!🧐) I wish I could remember more of the analysis we did in lessons, but 20 years is quite a while!
The #GrandHotel in Oslo
The balcony in the middle of the picture is where the Nobel Peace Prize laureates stand to receive the greetings from the people outside.
The restaurant to the left of the picture, Grand Cafe, is where Henrik Ibsen dined two times a day. Other celebrities who has frequented this restaurant are Edvard Munch, Roald Amundsen, Knut Hamsun and Fridtjof Nansen.
#WanderingJune
A short play but one that really hits the mark. Ibsen makes some brilliant points on men and women in marriage (way back in 1879) and the need for men to stop judging women by masculine standards. A must read for anyone exploring feminism and masculinity.
For anyone who thinks that feminism hasn‘t been around for a while, this play was first published in 1879 and the dialogue between this wife and her husband is very telling. An excellent read so far.
It‘s that time again!!! The lovely folks at Pact coffee have sent me another bag of lovely coffee - this one from Brazil and said to bear hints of dark chocolate, blueberry and biscuit. Also, book 6 in my BTRBYD series is Henrik Ibsen‘s ‘A Doll‘s House‘.
Another classic play I finally got round to reading. (I like reading plays probably more than watching them. I'm weird that way.) I stopped counting the times I wanted to punch Nora's husband, Torwald.
"A woman cannot be herself in modern society with laws made by men and with prosecutors and judges who assess female conduct from a male standpoint." Ibsen
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Link to some background in the comments.
My first read for the Books and Chocolate (blog) Back to the Classics challenge - a play. I listened to the LA Theatre Works version of A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen, in English, about the limits for women in 1879, and a husband who can't see his wife as more than he's been taught women are. Premiered in Copenhagen in 1879.
4⭐ This play raises uncomfortable, especially for the late XIXth century, questions of love, dignity, relationships and personal freedom. It's a bit didactic, because main characters suddenly change there attitude dramatically, but the small volume of a #play couldn't do better. It is our #bookclub read for today, and I guess the discussion will be heated!🔥
#Norwegian
Teaching this today with sixth form. They need to compare it to poetry by Christina Rossetti. 😁
Group presentations in response to a critical stimulus ... I‘m excited to see what they can produce :)
Have an excellent day everyone!
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It really surprised me, it felt so contemporary!!!
Thanks again #SerialReader, i'm discovering some good classics!
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ALL THE STARS!!!
I actually finished this a few days ago but hadn‘t reviewed it because it‘s been stirring around in my brain.
The characters, the plot, the foreshadowing, the dramatic tension: PERFECTION.
I can‘t say more about it as the main character of Nora was so close, so personal, that I felt her story was happening to me.
A surprising addition to my interest in feminist literature, written by a man.
In 1879.
It‘s ALWAYS the Mother‘s fault.
#MisogynyMinute
"I believe that, before all else, I‘m a human being, no less than you."
Starting a new book on #serialreader. I'm falling way behind on my reading. 😑 It's been forever since I read a play, so hopefully this will get me going again. 🤓
Most of the dialogues felt stilted, not an enjoyable read but an interesting play - not feminist. It might have had some passively fleeting feminist scenes but mostly white feminism, if anything. I'd enjoy acting it out but it didn't for once stimulate my brain while reading instead it induced sleep. Our drama professor said "plays are to be acted not read" but Ibsen's dialogues were way too extended.
Seeing Laurie Metcalf & Chris Cooper in A Doll's House Part 2!
Riotgrams day 9: An author or character who shares my name. I'm taking some major liberties here, but this is my favorite title with my name in it. It's a Colombian movie loosely based on A Doll's House. #riotgrams @bookriot
Following up on my 2017 reading resolution to read more plays. My first Ibsen!
Solid 4/5⭐
The Guardian had this article. We read & watched A Doll's in high school. How that story stayed with me! WARNING: the article has spoilers. https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2017/jan/11/a-dolls-house-by-henrik-...
I really enjoyed reading this play. It was well-written, and the characters are so much deeper than they seem at first glance.
Our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I was papa's doll-child; and here the children have been my dolls.
My first Serial read which just so happens to be one of the plays I was planning to read this month! #theplaysthething
You have never loved me. You have only thought it pleasant to be in love with me.
I hate Torvald so much 😡
Trending today in Serial Reader: Arriving "like a bomb" in Victorian society, Ibsen‘s play portrays the hypocrisy of marriage and celebrates individuality over the prescribed roles society hands down. "A woman cannot be herself in modern society," said Ibsen, since it is "an exclusively male society, with laws made by men."