The background of this autobiographical work by August Strindberg (1849-1912) is his failed marriage to the Austrian Frieda Uhl. In 1893, he met the 20-year-old journalist and soon after married her. However, constant disputes strained their relationship, and they separated as early as 1894. Strindberg fell into a severe life crisis marked by delusions and depression, which he was only able to overcome through his work on this book.