# Henrik Rissler — Martin Birck’s Youth character guide

> Henrik Rissler in Martin Birck’s Youth by Hjalmar Söderberg.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Henrik, XII Henrik Rissler

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

Martin's sharper, better-connected friend down from Uppsala, writing a thesis on Romantic irony while his millionaire uncle funds the tour that will carry him away from Stockholm.

## Who they are

Henrik arrives at Martin's door with the sun in his eyes, changed and leaner, fresh from his preliminary degree and bound for a European tour paid for by a banker uncle. He teases Martin for talking in the style of the Eighties, yet the two settle into wine and talk of Nietzsche, books, and women as the sunbeam narrows. He matters as the friend who is moving while Martin stands still — a mirror of ambition and momentum that sharpens Martin's own inertia.

## Relationships

### [Martin Birck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/characters/martin_birck)

_friendship_

Henrik is a fellow intellectual and confidant, but their friendship is tinged with rivalry over ideas and recognition.

### [Martin Birck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/characters/martin_birck)

_friendship_

Henrik is a fellow intellectual and confidant, but their friendship is tinged with rivalry over ideas and recognition.

## In the story

### [Martin Birck's Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/chapters/martin-birck-s-youth)

Martin's close friend during his youth, with whom he shares intellectual and personal experiences.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/chapters/iv)

Martin's close friend, shares his thoughts on the possibility of living chastely and engages with Doctor Markel's questions.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/chapters/xi)

Visits Martin at the end of the chapter.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/chapters/xii)

Visits Martin after taking his preliminary degree; discusses his thesis and his engagement to Sigrid Tesch.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/chapters/xiv)

His earlier remark about time standing still is recalled by Martin.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/chapters/v)

Martin's boyhood friend, now married and leading a migratory life; Martin regrets they seldom meet.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/characters/henrik_rissler
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/martin_birck_s_youth_se/characters