Drömmar om rosor och eld

Drömmar om rosor och eld takes place in 1630s France during a period of witch trials and religious persecution. The story centers on a group of nuns in Loudun who become caught up in accusations of demonic possession and witchcraft. The narrative follows multiple characters including the priest Urbain Grandier, who finds himself at the center of the growing hysteria. Political intrigue and power struggles between church officials, local authorities, and Cardinal Richelieu's government shape the unfolding events. The novel reconstructs historical events while exploring human psychology and mass behavior during times of social crisis. Through its portrayal of witch trials and religious fervor, the book examines themes of truth, power, and the complex relationship between individual conscience and institutional authority.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Eyvind Johnson's overall work: Reviews for Eyvind Johnson's works are limited in English-language forums, with most discussion focusing on his Nobel Prize-winning work "Return to Ithaca" (Strändernas svall). Readers appreciate: - Complex narrative techniques that blend past and present - Historical depth and political commentary - Fresh perspective on classical themes (particularly in his Odyssey retelling) - Working-class perspective and authenticity in autobiographical works Common criticisms: - Dense, experimental writing style can be challenging to follow - Limited English translations make his work inaccessible - Some find his political themes too overt Goodreads ratings show: - "Return to Ithaca": 3.8/5 (fewer than 50 ratings) - "Molnen över Metapontion": 3.9/5 (under 30 ratings) - "Romanen om Olof": 4.1/5 (under 20 ratings) Swedish-language reviews on Bokus.com and Adlibris.com rate his works higher (4.2-4.5/5), with readers particularly praising his autobiographical series for its honest depiction of working-class life.

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🌹 Published in 1949, this historical novel deals with the witch trials that took place in Loudun, France in 1634, showing parallels between religious persecution and modern totalitarianism. 📚 Eyvind Johnson won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1974, sharing it with Harry Martinson, making this work part of a Nobel laureate's distinguished career. ⚔️ The book's central historical event, the Loudun possessions, also inspired Aldous Huxley's "The Devils of Loudun" and Ken Russell's controversial film "The Devils." 🏰 The story focuses on Father Urbain Grandier, a Catholic priest who was accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake after allegedly bewitching an entire convent of Ursuline nuns. 🎭 Johnson wrote this novel during the aftermath of World War II, using the historical witch trials as an allegory for the mechanisms of political oppression and mass hysteria he witnessed in his own time.