The Emperor of Portugallia

The Emperor of Portugallia

Written by Nobel Laureate Selma Lagerlöf, The Emperor of Portugallia is a devastating novel often described as a "Swedish King Lear." Set in rural Värmland, the story follows Jan Andersson (also referred to as Jan of Itre), an aging peasant tenant farmer scraping by on the edge of poverty. His life changes with the birth of his daughter, Klara Gulla (whom he calls Glory Goldie Sunnycastle). When she turns seventeen, she leaves for Stockholm to find work. After her letters stop and rumors of her fate reach the village, Jan retreats into a protective madness to cope with his grief. He imagines his daughter has become the Empress of a distant kingdom called Portugallia, and he is the Emperor.

Originally published in 1914, the novel is a profound meditation on fatherhood, poverty, social judgment, and the line between madness and meaning. It explores themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit within a symbolic framework, showcasing the strange dignity of a father who chooses delusion over a broken heart.

Product Specifications

• Author: Selma Lagerlöf
• Translator: Peter Graves
• ISBN-13: 9781909408456
• Page Count: 230
• Published (This Edition): 2018 (Original work published in 1914)
• Series: B No. 76
• Format: Paperback

Key Features & Adaptations

• Literary Significance: An acclaimed, emotionally powerful novel by the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• Adaptations: Adapted for film and television three times: as The Tower of Lies (1925) starring Lon Chaney, a film version in 1944, and a Swedish television version in 1992.

Available Formats

• Paperback & Hardcover: Beautifully designed print editions presenting the complete, unabridged text made to last.
• Ebook: DRM-free EPUB compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers.
• Audiobook: Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged, available on all major audiobook platforms.

About the Author

Selma Lagerlöf (1858–1940) was a Swedish novelist and the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, receiving the award in 1909. She was also the first woman elected to the Swedish Academy, joining in 1914. Born on the Mårbacka estate in Värmland, she drew deeply on the landscapes, folklore, and peasant culture of her native region. Her major works include Gösta Berling's Saga (1891), Jerusalem (1901–1902), and The Wonderful Adventures of Nils (1906–1907).