'Growth of the Soil' Summary

The novel opens with Isak, a young man who has recently married and is looking for a place to start a new life. He travels to the unsettled northern wilderness of Norway, where he is determined to clear a plot of land and build a farm. Isak is a hard worker, but he soon realizes that life in the wilderness is anything but easy. He must contend with harsh weather, wild animals, and the challenges of farming in a remote and unforgiving environment. Despite the hardships, Isak perseveres, and in time, he is able to establish a prosperous farm and raise a family. The novel follows Isak's journey for over two decades, and it offers a rich and detailed portrait of the life of a pioneer farmer in the Norwegian countryside. Growth of the Soil is a classic work of Norwegian literature, and it is considered one of Knut Hamsun's most important works.