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

Growth of the Soil

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Growth of the Soil

By: Knut Hamsun, Sverre Lyngstad - translator, Brad Leithauser - introduction
Narrated by: BJ Harrison
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Growth of the Soil

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    25
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    25
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    21
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Norwegian New Realism

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A worthwhile read

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Type of Story I Love

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Top of my all time favorites list

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Story of a pioneer family

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!