44 pages 1 hour read

Henrik Ibsen

Hedda Gabler

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1890

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Hedda Gabler tells the story of a woman in an unhappy marriage, her complex relationships with three different men, and her desire for control over her own life and over the destinies of others. Hedda Gabler’s death by suicide and the ambiguous death by suicide or accidental death of Ejlert Løvborg are prominent themes. The play also discusses alcohol addiction.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler is widely praised for its complex characterizations and sophisticated exploration of societal constraints. Critics highlight the depth and nuance of Hedda's character, although some find the play's pacing slow and the ending unsatisfactory. Overall, it's acclaimed for its psychological depth and enduring relevance.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Hedda Gabler?

Readers who appreciate complex character studies and psychological drama will enjoy Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler. Fans of classics like Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert and A Doll's House by Ibsen himself will find Hedda's manipulations and tragic flaws compelling and thought-provoking.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Drama

Scandinavian Literature

Education

Themes

Relationships: Marriage

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Identity: Femininity

Topics

Education

History: World