The serious game (Den allvarsama leken) - Hjalmar Söderberg

Art. no. 216584035 24 Apr 2025

Den allvarsamma leken (1912; The Serious Game) is a novel by Hjalmar Söderberg that depicts a passionate but complicated love story between Arvid Stjärnblom and Lydia Stille. Set at the turn of the 20th century, it explores themes of love, social conventions and personal freedom.

Arvid Stjärnblom, a young philosophy graduate, and Lydia Stille, a young woman from a family of artists, begin an intense romance in their youth. Due to Arvid's insecurity and lack of financial resources, their relationship is interrupted when Lydia marries an older, wealthier man. Ten years later, they reunite by chance and begin a secret relationship, which leads to an inner conflict in Arvid between his passion for Lydia and his responsibility to his family. The novel sheds light on the influence of social norms on individual choices and the personal sacrifices often required to follow one's heart.