I tolfte timmen

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

77571

Title

I tolfte timmen

Language

sv

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In the twelfth hour of her life, Molly Molander, a woman of advanced age, confronts the complexities of aging, memory, and identity through intimate confessions. Blending psychological introspection with spiritual inquiry, this narrative explores the dissolution of a marriage, the haunting presence of past lovers, and the search for a new definition of love and faith. A poignant meditation on the human condition, it invites readers to witness the quiet unraveling of a soul seeking clarity amidst the fading light...

Summary up to 500 words

In Gertrud Almqvist's *I tolfte timmen* (The Twelfth Hour), the narrative unfolds through the intimate diary entries of Molly Molander, an elderly woman confronting the twilight of her existence. Living in a suffocatingly close quarters with her daughter Viveke, Molly feels her own soul overshadowed by her daughter's vibrant, unburdened spirit. Seeking solace, she turns to a doctor who employs psychoanalytic methods to strip away her defenses, revealing a self she had long hidden behind a facade of moral rigidity and control. Through this process, Molly learns that the lifting of this control is a form of liberation, allowing her to experience a strange, rhythmic acceptance of existence. Her memories drift between the present and the past, introducing significant figures from her life. Albert, her husband, whose artistic ambitions and eventual departure leave her grappling with the reality of their failed marriage, represents a struggle against the 'horror of old age.' Knut, a former lover whose reappearance stirs old feelings, challenges her perceptions of her own nature. Most prominently, there is Elis, a mysterious intellectual who challenges her worldview. Through conversations with Elis, Molly explores the nature of sin, redemption, and the Catholic faith, finding it both terrifying and liberating. She reflects on the difference between passionate love and a higher, spiritual love, influenced by figures like Teresa of Avila. As the narrative progresses, Molly receives letters from Albert and Viveke that signal a shift in her domestic reality. Albert announces his departure, framing it as a victory over the 'horror of old age' and a liberation for both, while Viveke expresses her own spiritual awakening, describing a new understanding of love that transcends passion. Left alone, Molly oscillates between despair and a strange, rhythmic acceptance of her place in the universe. She questions her sanity and the definition of a good life. The text culminates in a state of suspended animation where Molly accepts her solitude and the inevitable end, finding a strange peace in the rhythm of existence itself. The novel is a rich tapestry of memory, regret, and spiritual discovery, capturing the profound loneliness and resilience of a woman facing the end of her days.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg77571.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Lesbians