Niels Lyhne

The novel explores the internal conflict of an aspiring poet named Niels, who grapples with the tension between idealism and the harsh realities of adult life. Themes of faith versus reason and romanticism versus realism permeate his journey, highlighting profound loneliness in a godless universe. As a cornerstone of the Naturalist movement, it significantly impacted notable authors such as Henrik Ibsen and Thomas Mann, securing Jens Peter Jacobsen's legacy in Danish literature.