Captain Mansana & Mother's Hands

''Captain Mansana & Mother's Hands'' is a late 19th-century fictional work by Norwegian author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. The book features two stories, with the first, ''Captain Mansana,'' focusing on Giuseppe Mansana, a complex figure caught in Italy's struggle for unity and freedom. It delves into themes of patriotism, familial connections, and the tension between personal ambition and collective ideals, as the narrator reflects on Mansana's legacy during a poignant funeral procession. Bjørnson is recognized as one of Norway's 'Great Four' writers, alongside Ibsen, Lie, and Kielland.