The plot is strong and the writer shows himself a keen and careful observer of human nature.

Without imputing to him any attempt at imitating Ibsen, "The Slave for Life" certainly exhibits that pessimistic view of existence which is at once attractive to many and repulsive to not a few of Ibsen's readers.

"The Family of Gilge,"-- "Familjen paa Gilge"-- is of a somewhat similar character.

Ethical objections to these stories are, perhaps, superfluous; it must be admitted that both are popular and have added very considerably to Lie's fame.

They were followed by "A Whirlpool"-- "En Malstroem"-- 1886; "A Wedded Life"-- "En Samliv"-- 1887; "The Story of a Dressmaker"-- "Maisa Jons"-- 1888; and by "The Commodore's Daughters"-- "Kommandoerens Doettre"-- 1889, which has enjoyed the good fortune of being translated into English with an introduction by Mr.
Edmund Gosse, a most competent Scandinavian scholar.