Decorah-area readers will have a chance to discuss Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck from home this fall when Vesterheim brings its Bokprat literary series online Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. The free conversation is designed for readers interested in Scandinavian literature and does not require participants to travel to the museum.
The discussion is scheduled for 7 to 8:15 p.m. Central time. Although there is no charge to attend, advance registration through Vesterheim’s event page is required. The registration page will provide the information participants need to join the Zoom meeting, including access details for the 7 p.m. start.
How Decorah readers can join
Readers planning to participate should register before the event date. After registering, they can add the program to Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365 or Outlook Live.
Vesterheim advises registrants to return to the event page before the discussion begins for the latest Zoom information. The same page is intended to serve as both the registration location and the source for meeting details.
Because the program is remote, participants can take part from home rather than gathering at Vesterheim. The online format gives people in the Decorah area a way to join the literary conversation without attending an in-person museum event.
What the group will discuss
First published in 1884, The Wild Duck follows the Ekdal family after its fragile peace is disrupted by Gregers Werle, an idealist determined to expose concealed truths. The play also examines the relationship between an idealistic son and his corrupt merchant father, whose duplicity is revealed.
Werle’s attempt to rescue the people around him ultimately destroys those he hopes to help, pushing the family toward a deeper unraveling. The resulting drama considers deception, betrayal and disillusionment in modern life.
The work combines serious and comic elements, including comedy and satire. Vesterheim describes the play as realistic, while literary scholars have also connected it with symbolism. It is regarded as the first modern masterpiece in the tragicomedy genre, giving the Bokprat group several subjects to explore, including family conflict and the mixture of humor, satire and tragedy.
Part of Vesterheim’s recurring series
The October program is part of Vesterheim’s recurring Bokprat series, an online book group focused on Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. Its remote format allows local readers to discuss Scandinavian literature without attending an in-person gathering at the museum.
Vesterheim announced the program in August 2026. Anyone interested in participating should register through the museum’s event page and check it again before Wednesday, Oct. 28, for current Zoom access information.