Unsichtbare Bande: Erzählungen

"Unsichtbare Bande: Erzählungen" by Selma Lagerlöf is a collection of stories written during the late 19th century. The narratives draw from various aspects of life and human emotions, including themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for identity, intertwined with the lives of small-town characters, such as the protagonist, Peter Nord, and his experiences as a young boy in a close-knit community. The opening of the collection introduces the town where Peter Nord lives, depicting its charm and the intimate connections among its inhabitants. We learn about Peter, a bright and cheerful boy working in a general store, whose playful and imaginative character endears him to the townsfolk. However, his life takes a turn when he discovers a fifty-crown banknote and contemplates revenge against his employer for a past grievance involving a dead mouse. This inner conflict sets the tone for Peter's character development and introduces the themes of innocence, guilt, and the pursuit of happiness that are likely to unfold throughout the stories.