Selma Lagerlöf's writing is characterized by its lofty idealism, vivid imagination, and spiritual perception. Drawing deeply from classic Swedish folklore, she infused her magic realist narratives with these elements. Her stories often explore themes of faith, migration, and the lives of ordinary people. Lagerlöf was also a notable figure for her engagement with women's issues and political causes.
A collection of five short novels written between 1843 and 1848 for Christmas - "A Christmas Carol", "The Chimes", "The Cricket on the Hearth", "The Battle of Life" and "The Haunted Man". This edition is based on the 1868 edition, corrected by the author and with a chronology by Ruth Tillotson.