The Wonderful Adventures of Nils
The Wonderful Adventures of Nils is a novel written by Selma Lagerlöf and published in two parts between 1906 and 1907.
Nils Holgersson is a young and quite mischievous boy, who mainly dedicated himself to eating and sleeping. His family owns a farm and he is dedicated to pestering the animals that live on it.
One day, while his parents are at church, Nils catches a goblin. This goblin makes him a proposal: he will give him a very large gold coin in exchange for his release.
However, the young Nils does not accept the proposal and the goblin gets angry and punishes Nils, turning him into a goblin and giving him the gift of being able to speak with animals.
But the animals, who have suffered Nils' pranks for many years, are eager to take revenge on him and he will have to flee...
The novel was commissioned by the National Association of Teachers who wanted a geography book for public schools.
This edition of the book The Wonderful Adventures of Nils is based on Velma Swanston Howard's translation.
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Public domain (US)·No sign-up·DRM-free·Real text, not scans
Copyright note. The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading The Wonderful Adventures of Nils in PDF or EPUB.
- Pages
- 429
- Reading time
- 13 hours 3 minutes
- Pace
- Intermediate
- First published
- 1906
- Language
- Swedish
- Downloads
- 2,418
120 years later, still timely
Why Read The Wonderful Adventures of Nils in 2026?
A mischievous boy shrinks, joins wild geese, and learns a country by flying over it. Geography becomes empathy.
Today's connection
Ideal for family reading. The novel blends folklore with map-sense and gentle environmental awareness—curiosity carried on the wind.
Learning the land
From counties to clouds.
Care for creatures
Nature as neighbor.
Traveling companions
Flock, friendship, and trust.
Share this book
About the author
Selma Lagerlöf
Kindness and wonder with backbone; landscape and conscience in luminous prose.
