Frosten

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76006

Title

Frosten

Language

sv

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in 1860s Västerbotten, this novel follows Mats, a hardworking farmhand, and Anna-Greta, a young woman caught between duty and desire. When Mats's affection is rebuffed, he is forced to leave, only to return during a blizzard to find Anna-Greta frozen in the snow. Their reunion leads to a marriage of convenience with an older man, leaving Mats to depart forever. A poignant tale of rural hardship, unrequited love, and the harsh realities of peasant life.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the rugged landscape of 1860s Västernbotten, Astrid Värings *Frosten* chronicles the tragic romance between Mats, a diligent farmhand, and Anna-Greta, the daughter of his neighbor. Driven by a secret hope that his affection is reciprocated, Mats works tirelessly preparing for the summer tar-pitching season. However, social barriers and the influence of Anna-Greta's mother, Mor Brita, create an insurmountable distance between the young lovers. Rumors spread that Anna-Greta is courting a wandering peddler, causing Mats immense pain. He resolves to leave the farm, but a harsh winter traps the isolated community in snowdrifts. As Christmas approaches, Anna-Greta waits in vain for the peddler. Eventually, succumbing to the freezing elements outside her home, she collapses into the snow. Mats, having followed her, rescues her from the drifts. The experience shatters their innocence; Anna-Greta, now pregnant and ashamed, agrees to marry an older, wealthy man from the village to secure her future and protect Mats from scandal. Heartbroken but honorable, Mats accepts her decision, realizing their youthful love cannot survive the harsh demands of society and poverty. The narrative shifts to the wedding festivities, where Anna-Greta appears pale and distant, haunted by her past. Mats watches from afar, unable to attend the celebration. He finally bids farewell to his homeland, casting his wedding gift—a silver brooch—into the river, symbolizing the end of his dreams. The story concludes with a reflection on the cruelty of fate and the enduring sorrow of those left behind by the relentless march of time and social expectation. Through vivid descriptions of the tar-pitching work and the isolating winter, the novel highlights how economic necessity and rigid social hierarchies crush individual happiness and innocence.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76006.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg76006.epub

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Categories

• History
• Fiction