The Master Builder and Other Plays

Nov 28, 2025 10:45 AM

Author:Henrik Ibsen

The four plays in this volume, written late in Ibsen's career as a dramatist, move away from his earlier preoccupation with people at odds with society to instead explore the inward struggle with their own thoughts, feelings and dreams. The Master Builder (1892) depicts a powerful man whose illusions collapse in the face of a young woman's courageous common sense. In Rosmersholm (1886), an idealist is forced to question his beliefs and confront terrible truths about the past, while Little Eyolf (1894) portrays a man's self-deception, which brings both tragic repercussions for his family and new hope for their future. And in John Gabriel Borkman (1896), a dying woman returns to reclaim the affections and loyalty of her nephew, resulting in a bitter struggle with her sister.

Reviews

Funny, tender and sharp, The Learning Curve is for anyone who has been inside a school - or, indeed, for anyone who has been in love

—— The Times

Book of the Month - The Learning Curve: A hilarious novel ... you can sit back and enjoy the ride with all the fab ups, heart-rending downs, cruel realities and (eventually) that wonderful heart-felt surety which every great romance should create

—— handbag.com

Chick-lit at its best

—— Eve

A captivating comedy

—— Red

Light-hearted fun

—— Heat

Witty modern romance

—— Woman's Own

This is a feel-good book you'll want to devour in one sitting

—— Closer

Witty, comforting and lively

—— Glasgow Evening Times

The Learning Curve teaches that you can reach for the stars and you're never too old to do it either

—— Bath Chronicle

'Witty and intelligent...just the thing for a lazy summer day'

—— Newsday

Genuine wit and charm

—— Image

Witty novel about life and love after divorce, Hollywood-style.

—— Daily Express

A bitchy and entertaining look at life in La-La Land

—— The Sun

A perfect poolside read

—— New Woman

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