Ghosts: The Warriors at Helgeland, an Enemy of the People

by Henrik Ibsen

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Pomona Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Genres: Drama

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Henrik Johan Ibsen was a major Norwegian playwright largely responsible for the rise of modern realistic drama. He is often referred to as the "father of modern drama." Ibsen is held to be the greatest of Norwegian authors and one of the most important playwrights of all time, celebrated as a national symbol by Norwegians.

His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era, when Victorian values of family life and propriety largely held sway in Europe and any challenge to them was considered immoral and outrageous. Ibsen's work examined the realities that lay behind many facades, possessing a revelatory nature that was disquieting to many contemporaries.

Ibsen largely founded the modern stage by introducing a critical eye and free inquiry into the conditions of life and issues of morality. Victorian-era plays were expected to be moral dramas with noble protagonists pitted against darker forces; every drama was expected to result in a morally appropriate conclusion, meaning that goodness was to bring happiness, and immorality pain. Ibsen challenged this notion and the beliefs of his times and shattered the illusions of his audiences.

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warriors Of Helgeland - my favourite out of the three. Comedic in it's timing but powerful in Ornulfs grief.

"Well all my other sons are dead... At least I still have my fave son, right? "

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warriors at Helgeland: why do I love this play so much? Hjordis is a mess. Sigurd should have known it wasn’t going to work out when he pledged his love to her. Of course she was going to kill him. When someone tells you who they are, believe them! If someone is hateful, spiteful and vengeful, believe they’re going to treat you the same way even if they proclaim their undying love for you
! Seriously !