My mom’s family is solid Norwegian – I am only second generation American on that side. So much of this book struck home with me. Those people can work, and so nonchalantly, too. Many don’t realize that until fairly recently, Norway was a very poor country, with steep rocky soil and a very short growing season. Most of the men were out on the sea for most of the year as fishermen or merchant seaman, while the women stayed home to tend their small farm. The winters were spent on all manner of handcraft, men and women alike. Where were you going to go?
So let’s say I recognize this mindset. This book, written in 1917, won a Nobel Prize for its unique, at the time, style. It tells the story of Isak, a taciturn man who journeys to the remote Norwegian back country for a likely plot of land. Finding one, he starts to clear it out for a bit of a farm, and constructs an earthen lean-to for a home. He has noticed plenty of fallen timber in the area, and comes up with the plan of chopping it up there, letting it dry in his shelter, and then gradually dragging it into the nearest village, a couple of days away, to sell for firewood. Gradually he builds a small wood dwelling, and then eventually a barn for a few animals and a small field of crops. Some Lapp folk pass through, and he asks them to put out the word that he could use a woman around the place. Soon one shows up, Inger. Inger has been an outcast most of her life due to being disfigured by a harelip, but she is strong and sturdy and suits Isak perfectly. From there on, life ensues, and not always as is expected.
Flowery speech isn’t their style. Here is their first conversation, soon after he gives word to the Lapp and she shows up.
She greets him and hastens to say, as if she were afraid of something. “I had an errand on the other side of the mountain, and so I took this trail.” – “I see,” the man said. He could barely understand her, and besides, turned her face away from him. “Yes,” she said. “And it’s a very long way.” – “Yes,” he replied. “Are you going over the mountain?” – “Yes.” – “What are you going there for?” – “I have folks there.” – “Oh, you have folks there. What’s your name?” – “Inger. And yours?” – “Isak.” – “Isak, I see. And you live here?” – “Yes, I live here, such as it is.” – “It’s not so bad at all!” she said by way of praise.
Hearts and flowers folks! Norge style.