What starts as a darling story about a heartless man becoming a father to a girl and in the same breath gaining a heart, soon turns into a tragic tale about him going insane as his daughter leaves home for work. Insanity is mixed in with elements of the supernatural and it also acts as a historical document of Swedish society in the countryside. I simply loved it.

Bought the book at Mårbacka, Selma's childhood home, and I'm glad I chose this one because it was a great introduction to her work.