Master Builder (Gosse & Archer Translation)

Halvard Solness is a master architect who has relentlessly climbed the ranks of his profession, often at the expense of those around him. Despite his ruthless pursuit of success, his conscience remains a heavy burden, haunted by guilt over his past decisions. Living in a state of torment, he grapples with fears of madness and the unsettling notion that he may have unwittingly allied himself with dark forces to achieve his status. His devoted wife and troubled mistress navigate their own struggles while trying to support him in his fragile condition. The arrival of the enigmatic Hilda Wangel, a young woman from Solnesss past who claims a unique bond with him, disrupts this already volatile environment. As one of Ibsens masterpieces from his later works, The Master Builder unfolds slowly, revealing profound layers of meaning and emotional intensity through seemingly mundane conversations. Summary by Expatriate