David Irvin’s recent book, The Plays of Henrik Ibsen, takes a chronological look at Norway’s celebrated dramatist from his early plays to When We Dead Awaken.
It is subtitled “a comprehensive guide” and is an accessible and entertaining look at how this shy and rather ordinary man still has cultural and political relevance today.
Although Irvin confirmed in our recent interview that he doesn’t read Ibsen in his original language, he shows a deep understanding of the dramatist’s themes and topics.
Particularly highlighting the strong female characters in Hedda Gabler, Ghosts, A Doll’s House and A Master Builder, Ibsen was a writer ahead of his 19th century limitations.
Originally he worked in the verse form before settling into the style for which he is revered today. He toyed with political differences and matters of freedom in Brand, Peer Gynt, An Enemy of the People, The Wild Duck and Rosmersholm.
Irvin’s is a personal take on the body of work – chatty, informative and occasionally irreverent. He highlights parallels with figures of our own time and draws attention to critical voices from Ibsen’s time, not always complimentary.
Copious quotations are presented in translation to give a feel of the plays themselves, offering a way in to those new to the work as well as those well-versed in Ibsen’s greatest plays.
Ibsen displayed rather progressive views for his time on marriage, humanity, and even religion. In this book, Irvin also introduces us to the man behind the craft – a man who views attraction, convention and philosophy with an often jaundiced, sometimes closely perceptive, eye.
There is nothing dry about The Plays of Henrik Ibsen, and although this not an academic level text, it nevertheless offers a wide-ranging understanding of “Norway’s Shakespeare” and why he is still consistently performed.
As an admirer of Ibsen’s work, I found Irvin’s book a great companion to the work and enjoyed gaining new insights into plays I knew well and those I have only just discovered (Lady Inger).
The Plays of Henrik Ibsen by David Irvin is available now.