229 Giants in the Earth, by O. E. Rolvaag (read 14 Jan 1946 - re-read 19 Aug 1969) My comment on this great book when I read it the first time was as follows: "It's 12:10 A.M. I stayed up till now to finish 'Giants in the Earth' by a Norwegian-American. It was a story of pioneers and like the usual pioneer story except that the emphasis was on people, not action. It had a legitimate European folk-story flavor." The book was much discussed by my brother and me and really had an impact on us. More than 23 years later I re-read it--and I so very seldom re-read books because there is so much I want to read--but this book was well worth re-reading. ( )

Although sometimes described as "Little House on the Prairie" for adults, I think this is a much richer and intriguing text than that. Unfortunately, some of the subtleties were undoubtedly lost when translated from the Norsk. Besides being an engrossing story, as a historical novel, it provides some very important insight into the culture and practices of the first two generations of Norwegian immigrants into America. My grandfather, who grew up in Wisconsin speaking Norwegian, could purportedly imitate different regional Norwegian dialects, even though his first and only visit to the country took place in his 60s. This book made it clear to me that such differences in origination were a big part of the American experience, and persisted for several generations. (The author was a professor at St Olaf when my Grandfather was a student.) ( )

I need to reread this after so many years... ( )

The classic story of a Norwegian pioneer family's struggles with the land and the elements of the Dakota Territory as they try to make a new life in America.
"A moving narrative of pioneer hardship and heroism.. . .The background of the boundless Dakota prairie, with its mysterious distances and its capacity for evil. is painted with alternating beauty and grimness."

The saga of Norwegian immigrants by O. E. Rolvaag entitled Giants in the Earth is truly a heroic epic of the settling of the upper plains. Rolvaag keeps his narrative focused on the family of Per Hansa with his long-suffering wife Beret and four children, And-Ongen, Store-Hans, Ole and Peder Victorious. The last of the children is born in their plains home while the others take part in the trek from Minnesota with which the novel begins. More than this family and their neighbors who form the new plains settlement, the earth itself is the main character of this story. From the opening moments the narrative is alive with the sounds and colors that surround the immigrant family and the impact of nature and the earth continue to influence their lives throughout the book.

Filled with the vicissitudes of a life on the frontier, the novel celebrates the life of the family and community as they overcome each of the challenges they face. Notable among the difficulties are the emotional problems of Beret as she comes to terms with her anxieties and fears in this rough community on the edge of civilization. Her story highlights the internal struggles of Per Hansa and his family and underlies the narrative of their interaction with the community at large. I have enjoyed this novel again and again ever since I read it as a teenager. Rereading it today I am somewhat reminded of The Good Earth by Pearl Buck which also depicts the influence of the earth on the life of a family. Giants in the Earth is a magnificent portrayal of pioneer human achievement. ( )