Mysteries by Knut Hamsun. Short summary

5 seconds

A strange man, Johan Nielsen Nagel, arrives in a seaside town. He fell in love with Dagny Hjelan, but she was engaged. She upset his other marriage, and Nagel threw himself into the sea.

1 minute

Johan Nielsen Nagel appeared in a small seaside town with a violin case. He surprised the townspeople by spreading rumors and refuting them himself, as well as by helping the foolish Minutka.

Nagel arrived in town on the day of the announcement of the engagement of Dagny Hjelan, the pastor’s daughter. The next day the theologian Carlsen, who had committed suicide because of his unrequited love for Dagny, was buried.

Nagel had spent a lot of time with Dagny and had fallen in love with her. The girl felt a reciprocal sympathy, but could not refuse the engagement. Desperate, Nagel proposed to a poor woman, Martha Goode.

Dagny, learning of the marriage, convinces Martha to leave town. Nagel commits suicide by throwing himself into the sea.