Growth of the Soil Audiobook By Knut Hamsun, Sverre Lyngstad - translator, Brad Leithauser - introduction cover art

Growth of the Soil

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Growth of the Soil

By: Knut Hamsun, Sverre Lyngstad - translator, Brad Leithauser - introduction
Narrated by: BJ Harrison
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Growth of the Soil, Hamsun's Nobel Prize winning novel, is a classic of Scandinavian literature.

The farmer Isak scarcely acknowledges the values of modern living. Illiterate but capable of carrying out the business of running a farm, he has physical strength and works with his hands. Although initially amazed by Isak's prowess - his wife Inger, who came into contact with modern society when imprisoned for killing her infant due to its birth defect, return to the home much less impressed by the country life.

Isak's deeply held passion for the Norwegian countryside is contrasted against the cosmopolitan and intellectual traits expressed in his son Eleseus. Despite his superior mental faculties, Eleseus frequently spends his money carelessly on his travels, exasperating his parents with requests for financial support.

Growth of the Soil openly displays the conflicts between the old traditions of agrarian society, and the ever-mounting wonders and conveniences offered by modern society.

©2007 Sverre Lyngstad (P)2020 Tantor Classics
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Reader sounded like an AI voice when narrating, but did the voices of the characters well.

Not quite like any novel you’ve probably read or listened to before. Hamsun’s rejection of modernity and embrace of rural primitivism. Supposedly this was one Joseph Goebbels’s favorite books and he had it translated into German and issued to Nazi troops. Given that book is full of Norwegian hicks and infanticide, not sure why.

Norwegian New Realism

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I’m glad I read this book. The setting in the country of Northeast Norway was enjoyable.

A worthwhile read

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Loved it all. I listen to stories to go to sleep, but these books are NOT BORING. They take my mind away from thinking about troubles, to think about the people in the stories. So hearing nice stories like this one, and listening to good narration, is important to me.

Type of Story I Love

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Classic for a reason, timeless, and exactly what I needed. Most effective narration I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear. I’ll be listening to Growth of the Soil again.

Top of my all time favorites list

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A story of the first man to settle in an area and begin a farm and family. More people begin to move into the region, some to farm others to open businesses. Two generations later the area is still growing and thriving.

Story of a pioneer family

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