O. E. Rølvaag's Giants in the Earth is an epic story of resilience. It follows Norwegian immigrants Per Hansa and Beret as they pursue dreams of homesteading on the untamed Dakota prairie, a land of stark beauty, endless seas of grass, and unforgiving winters, requiring relentless struggle to sustain a living from the earth. As they build their life together, their love is tested by isolation, hardship, and yearning for connection. Will their spirits—like the giants of old—be strong enough to unleash the land's potential without destroying their unique Norwegian way of life and build a legacy for future generations? Giants in the Earth explores themes of love, loss, faith, cultural identity, and the enduring human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. Rediscover this overlooked classic of American literature.

This reprinting of Giants in the Earth, featuring an updated introduction and revised annotations by Allan C. Carlson, offers the modern reader thoughtful insights into Rølvaag's beliefs and hopes about the immigrant experience in America—Norwegian or otherwise.
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A stirring tale of resilience unfolds as Norwegian immigrants Per and Beret brave the harsh Dakota prairie. Amid isolation and hardship, love confronts the test of cultural heritage and survival, challenging them to harness the land's potential without losing their identity.
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Product details

ISBN
9781941813553
Published
2024-09-19
Publisher
South Dakota State Historical Society
Weight
658 gr
Height
228 mm
Width
152 mm
Age
G, 01
Language
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Number of pages
456

Introduction by

Biographical note

Ole Edvart Rølvaag (1876–1931) embodies the American story of success. Immigrating to the United States from his native Norway at the age of twenty, he found his path in life through education. Once disparaged by his father as a hopeless student, he earned his bachelor's (1905) and master's (1910) degrees from St. Olaf College, where he later became head of the Norwegian Department. His education served to clarify his childhood experiences in Norway and shaped his views of the immigrant experience in America. Giants in the Earth comprises the most complete elaboration of Rølvaag's thoughts on cultural pluralism, especially the importance of language, churches, and literature in preserving and promoting Norwegian America.