The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 03 (of 11) by Henrik Ibsen

Featured

The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 03 (of 11) by Henrik Ibsen

(3 User reviews) 548

By Anastasia Liu Posted on Mar 30, 2026

In Category - Baking

Authors: Ibsen, Henrik, 1828-1906 Published By : Ibsen, Henrik, 1828-1906

Book Language: English

Hey, I just finished this volume of Ibsen's plays, and wow—it's like he's holding up a mirror to society and we're all still in the reflection. Forget dusty old dramas; these feel shockingly current. The big question running through this collection is: what happens when the truth comes out? Ibsen puts ordinary people in impossible situations where a hidden fact, a past mistake, or a buried dream threatens to blow their lives apart. It's not about kings and battles; it's about a husband discovering his wife's secret, a community turning on a doctor, and a man wrestling with the ghost of his own youthful ideals. The tension doesn't come from swordfights, but from conversations in parlors that crackle with unspoken tension. You keep reading because you have to know: will they choose honesty and freedom, or safety and lies? It's gripping, uncomfortable, and makes you think about the little compromises we all make. If you like stories that stick with you and make you question things, grab this.

File: The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 03 (of 11) by Henrik Ibsen

This third volume collects some of Henrik Ibsen's most famous 'problem plays' from his middle period. We get Pillars of Society, A Doll's House, and Ghosts. Each one is a tightly-wound spring of drama set in a seemingly respectable home.

The Story

In Pillars of Society, a wealthy shipowner's reputation is built on a lie that starts to crumble. A Doll's House follows Nora Helmer, a wife and mother who realizes her entire life has been a performance for her husband. When an old secret loan comes to light, her perfect domestic world shatters. Ghosts is even heavier. Mrs. Alving has spent her life hiding her late husband's depravity to protect her son's legacy, but the past—the 'ghosts' of title, duty, and disease—refuses to stay buried. Each plot is a slow-burn revelation where characters are trapped by social expectations and must decide whether to break free.

Why You Should Read It

Ibsen's genius is how he makes the personal feel monumental. Nora's slammed door at the end of A Doll's House isn't just a woman leaving her husband; it's a character claiming her right to be a person first. These plays made audiences furious in the 1870s and 1880s because they challenged everything—marriage, gender roles, disease, and hypocrisy. Reading them now, what strikes me is how the core conflicts haven't aged. We still struggle with authenticity versus social approval, the weight of family secrets, and the cost of living a lie to keep the peace. The characters aren't always likable, but they are painfully human and their dilemmas are real.

Final Verdict

This volume is perfect for anyone who loves character-driven stories where the real action is psychological. If you're a fan of modern family dramas on TV or in film, you'll find the blueprint right here. It's also a great pick for book clubs because there is so much to debate. Fair warning: Ghosts is particularly bleak. These aren't light reads, but they are powerful, quick reads that pack a punch. You'll come away from this book looking at your own relationships and society a little differently.