Ibsen's Selected Plays: A Norton Critical Edition

I have a deep love for Henrik Ibsen, and I was very excited to purchase this book. He is a master modern playwright. At present I have only read two plays of his, Hedda Gabler and A Doll's house, and they are remarkably complex psychological dramas. For example, in Hedda Gabler, a newlywed wife returns from her honeymoon and it is apparent she is unhappy. She attempts to ruin her friend's career for the benefit of her husband's career and then convinces said friend to commit suicide. At the same time she flirts and teases with the horrendous Judge Brack, although she wants no relationship with him. After her friend's suicide, his girlfriend and Hedda's husband want said friend's legacy to live on so they begin to work together ignoring Hedda. Hedda's husband tells Judge Brack to keep Hedda company, and he is more than happy to oblige (he hints at wanting a sexual relationship with Hedda). Hedda, her plans grown too big and out of control, kills herself to relieve the subjugation into which she is forced. Judge Brack says the famous last line of the play "God have mercy, People just don't act that way!" This play is a stark commentary on society and family values that are mere decorations and are not truly practiced. All of Henrik Ibsen's plays are brilliant works. Ibsen not only puts a mirror in front of society to force us to see the ugly truth, but he decorates that mirror and ends with an amazing jaw-dropping performance.I highly recommend this book for everyone.

You have here the essential Ibsen plays and some of the best criticism in one place; an invaluable resource, but more than that, a really enjoyable read.