The Girl from Morbacka. Notes of a Child

Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlöf (1858-1940) was a Swedish writer, author of "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils Holgersson with the Wild Geese" and "The Saga of Gösta Berling," the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature and elected as a member of the Swedish Academy.
Selma Lagerlöf was born and raised in Värmland, in the old estate of Morbacka, in one of the most picturesque corners of Sweden. Here she spent many happy and sorrowful days: childhood itself, surrounded by beloved and loving relatives, is a serene time, yet for several years young Selma was bedridden and then limped. It was here at the age of seven that she decided she would definitely become a writer. Later, her father died, and the estate was sold due to debts, but Selma remained devoted to her native home and land for life. Upon receiving the Nobel Prize, she bought back Morbacka, where she continued to live and work until her death.
"Notes of a Child" (1930) and "The Diary of Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlöf" (1932), included in this book, are two parts of a memoir trilogy that began with the novella "Morbacka" (1922). In her recollections, Lagerlöf recreates the atmosphere of childhood and the special world of Morbacka, which has always been so dear to her. Ancient legends add a unique color to the narrative, which is woven from kind, touching, and cheerful stories dedicated to the small but significant events in the life of a clever girl aged 10-14.
In these delicate observations lies an extraordinary strength of spirit and a rare ability to notice the good and interesting in the most insignificant events, to remain full of life and free. Morbacka is the source of Lagerlöf's literary gift, her personal "golden age."