The Pilot and His Wife

Jonas Lauritz Idemil Lie (1833 - 1908) was a Norwegian author considered to be one of the four greats of 19th century Norwegian literature. His works range from depictions of life at sea, the fishermen and the stormy Arctic Ocean to social misfortunes and the narrow existence endured by women. His first major work, Den Fremsynte (The Visionary or Pictures from Nordland) (1870), is a powerful tale of the sea and northern superstitions. Familjen paa Gilje (The Family at Gilje) (1883), is a striking document of the life of an officers family, and the few options given to the daughters of these families. His two collections of short stories called Trold (Trolls) (1891 - 92), are thrilling examples of the superstitions of the fishermen and coast commoners of northern Norway. Weird Tales from Northern Seas (1893) is a collection of some of his best stories (eight from Trolls) and draws on his knowledge of the folklore of the far North and Lapp magic.