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Red River of the North #1
An Untamed Land
She had promised herself that once they left the fjords of Norway, she would never look back.
The promise of free land lures Roald and Ingeborg Bjorklund from their beloved home high above the fjords of Norway, and after three long years of scrimping and saving to buy tickets for their passage to America, they finally arrive at the docks of New York City. This new land promises a rich heritage for their children, and here they hope to build a good life.
After a long journey by train and then by covered wagon, the Bjorklunds finally arrive in Dakota Territory, where they settle on the banks of the Red River of the North. But the virgin prairie refuses to yield its treasure without a struggle. Will Roald and Ingeborg be strong enough to overcome the hardships of that first winter?
Proud of their heritage and sustained by their faith, they came to tame a new land.
The promise of free land lures Roald and Ingeborg Bjorklund from their beloved home high above the fjords of Norway, and after three long years of scrimping and saving to buy tickets for their passage to America, they finally arrive at the docks of New York City. This new land promises a rich heritage for their children, and here they hope to build a good life.
After a long journey by train and then by covered wagon, the Bjorklunds finally arrive in Dakota Territory, where they settle on the banks of the Red River of the North. But the virgin prairie refuses to yield its treasure without a struggle. Will Roald and Ingeborg be strong enough to overcome the hardships of that first winter?
Proud of their heritage and sustained by their faith, they came to tame a new land.
349 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1995
689 people are currently reading
3929 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
161 books2,065 followersAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 416 reviews
April 30, 2018
I absolutely adore this book! So amazing! I love all the characters; they are so rich and deep. You connect instantly with each one. It is a bit tragic near the end, but ends well. This had crocodile tears running down my face at times. One of my favorite series. I would say appropriate for ages 13+, and it is more of a girls book.
February 4, 2008
A few weeks ago I was helping a customer find some Christian historical fiction (my favorites!--especially frontier and pioneer life). As we looked down the list of authors I noticed Snelling. I had not yet tried any by that author (probably because I associated her with the juvenile horse books).
I decided to try the Red River series and was very pleased with the quality of the writing. Note these characteristics of good historical fiction, which I found in The Untamed Land:
1. A strong sense of time (even to the date)
2. A strong sense of place (Red River of the North, and an area the author is familiar with)
3. Accurate details of daily life (extremely well researched, and the sources noted in the author's prologue).
4. Attention paid to the language of the era (Norwegian, with real words sprinkled throughout the conversion. Real-life communication difficulties described between Americans and Norwegian immigrants, Germans, and American Indians.)
5. Believable perceptions and emotional reactions for the era.
I look forward to reading more in the series!
I decided to try the Red River series and was very pleased with the quality of the writing. Note these characteristics of good historical fiction, which I found in The Untamed Land:
1. A strong sense of time (even to the date)
2. A strong sense of place (Red River of the North, and an area the author is familiar with)
3. Accurate details of daily life (extremely well researched, and the sources noted in the author's prologue).
4. Attention paid to the language of the era (Norwegian, with real words sprinkled throughout the conversion. Real-life communication difficulties described between Americans and Norwegian immigrants, Germans, and American Indians.)
5. Believable perceptions and emotional reactions for the era.
I look forward to reading more in the series!
April 11, 2012
I found out that Lauraine Snelling is related on my Husband's side of the family. Even traced the genealogy back to Norway and found Haaken & Ingeborg in our family tree. Sad story of the struggles facing those new to America from Norway. Strength, determination and a faith that was tested make this a powerful groundwork story for the many to follow in the series of this pioneer family.
January 29, 2020
I'm really picking a lot of duds lately. I really hated this book. It's a big mess of bland characters and the weirdest pacing that I have ever seen. I read this book because my family immigrated from Norway and I thought it might be interesting to learn more about what struggles they might have gone through and pick up on Norwegian culture. I was sorely disappointed. Apart from a smattering of Norwegian phrases that you could find in any travel dictionary and a few obscure mentions of lutefisk and lefse there is very little attention paid to the land that they left behind. Also the pacing of this story is just strange. They focus on unimportant details so often (I swear half the book is spent drinking coffee and feeding babies) and breeze by parts that deserve a bit more attention. The characters are soooo boring. All of them are strong God-fearing men and women who work hard and pray a lot. The only real interesting character is Roald and that was because I hated him and thought for half the book that he was supposed to be the villain. But no I'm supposed to LIKE him and I found him to be a jerk, thought Ingeborg was too wishy washy for her own good and was ready to throw the book across the room about a quarter of the way through. I was extremely disappointed and glad that it's over.
June 21, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, staying awake until 2 this morning to get it finished! Roald and Ingeborg Bjorklund traveled from Norway to America along with Roald's brother Carl and his wife Kaaren in 1880. After a long ship ride and then cross country journey, they settled on land in North Dakota for their homestead. Breaking the sod for planting and building a home took much hard work from these very strong and stubborn people. The hard ships and heartache's they experienced along the way are faced with faith in God and hope for the future.
My sister lives in North Dakota so as I was reading, I was picturing the land as it would have been in the late 1880's and can't even imagine the terrible blizzards they would have faced in the wintertime. Ingeborg was a very strong woman, stubborn at times with the wish to be more help on the homestead than just the woman that was needed to tend the children and the garden. I could really relate to her and all she felt. The end of the book had me in tears, which doesn't happen often but I am glad to know that I can visit Ingeborg again with the next book in this series.
My sister lives in North Dakota so as I was reading, I was picturing the land as it would have been in the late 1880's and can't even imagine the terrible blizzards they would have faced in the wintertime. Ingeborg was a very strong woman, stubborn at times with the wish to be more help on the homestead than just the woman that was needed to tend the children and the garden. I could really relate to her and all she felt. The end of the book had me in tears, which doesn't happen often but I am glad to know that I can visit Ingeborg again with the next book in this series.
June 3, 2009
******** CAUTION: REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS *********
I read this several years ago when it was the only book available in the series. Now I'm re-reading it with the other five books waiting to be read right behind it. Snelling has a wonderful way of describing the events with mostly historical accuracy; the boat ride from Norway to America, the immigration process during the late 19th century, the train from New York to the Dakota territory, and finally, the covered wagon journey to thier homestead. And thats just the first half of the book! She then gives beautiful desciptions of almost day to day accounts of thier lives, the hard work they endured, the sacrifices they made, and the adorable little things that happened during thier efforts to prove up thier homestead and make a new life in the new world.
I'll be honest, I adore Ingeborg and Kaaren, Carl, and the kids, but Roald is definitely not earning any brownine points with me. I wouldn't dare be married to a man like him! So when he passes away near the end of the book, I'm surprised but not really bothered! Ingeborg deserves better! However, when Kaaren loses Carl and both her little girls to influenza also near the end of the story, my heart just broke!! This is a real tear jerker at the end, but otherwise a very good read!!
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
I read this several years ago when it was the only book available in the series. Now I'm re-reading it with the other five books waiting to be read right behind it. Snelling has a wonderful way of describing the events with mostly historical accuracy; the boat ride from Norway to America, the immigration process during the late 19th century, the train from New York to the Dakota territory, and finally, the covered wagon journey to thier homestead. And thats just the first half of the book! She then gives beautiful desciptions of almost day to day accounts of thier lives, the hard work they endured, the sacrifices they made, and the adorable little things that happened during thier efforts to prove up thier homestead and make a new life in the new world.
I'll be honest, I adore Ingeborg and Kaaren, Carl, and the kids, but Roald is definitely not earning any brownine points with me. I wouldn't dare be married to a man like him! So when he passes away near the end of the book, I'm surprised but not really bothered! Ingeborg deserves better! However, when Kaaren loses Carl and both her little girls to influenza also near the end of the story, my heart just broke!! This is a real tear jerker at the end, but otherwise a very good read!!
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
February 26, 2016
As soon as I read the 'blurb' at the beginning where the author talked about the research she did for writing this book, I knew it would be a special one for me. I have ancestors that farmed in the same general area of eastern North Dakota as the Bjorklund family. In fact, my mother was born in Grand Forks! So, towns mentioned like Fargo, Moorhead, Buxton, Grand Forks, and Park Rapids bring back wonderful memories of going to visit our relatives there when I was a girl! (I also loved how everything was "uff da" this and "uff da" that. I grew up with my grandmother saying that, and I say "uff da" a lot, myself!)
Now, to the book itself. I really appreciate how Snelling didn't gloss over the hardships that Roald, Ingeborg, Carl, and Kaaren had when they were trying to settle their land. Life back in the late 1800s on the prairies was HARD! Things happened that changed lives irrevocably in an instant. So, while it made for a fair amount of sadness, it made for a more believable book.
That said, I'm glad that things ended on a hopeful note and am looking forward to see what happens next!
Now, to the book itself. I really appreciate how Snelling didn't gloss over the hardships that Roald, Ingeborg, Carl, and Kaaren had when they were trying to settle their land. Life back in the late 1800s on the prairies was HARD! Things happened that changed lives irrevocably in an instant. So, while it made for a fair amount of sadness, it made for a more believable book.
That said, I'm glad that things ended on a hopeful note and am looking forward to see what happens next!
June 10, 2010
For me, this story had its peaks and valleys. In the valley were the repeated descriptions of farm work and what they ate for dinner. The peaks came with the exciting descriptions of people getting lost in blizzards and such. Rather than be disappointed in this style, however, I enjoyed it. If you are the type of reader who dislikes sitting on the edge of her seat from day one, then you will enjoy it, too.
It is a testament to Snelling's writing that I want to continue reading this series even after I accidentally read one of the later books first. Her descriptions of Ingeborg's indignation as she chafes against that era's rules for women ring true without feeling anachronistic. Even though I know what is coming up in the future for Ingeborg and the other characters, Snelling's writing style makes me want to read about how they deal with these events.
It is a testament to Snelling's writing that I want to continue reading this series even after I accidentally read one of the later books first. Her descriptions of Ingeborg's indignation as she chafes against that era's rules for women ring true without feeling anachronistic. Even though I know what is coming up in the future for Ingeborg and the other characters, Snelling's writing style makes me want to read about how they deal with these events.
August 30, 2016
There's good Christian Fiction and there's bad Christian Fiction. In my humble opinion, the majority isn't good. An Untamed Land is a good one, for sure!
It's about two families traveling from Norway to America for the free land. I really like the main character, Ingeborg. She was real, which is hard to find in Christian Fiction. Too often the characters are predictable and *yawn* boring. She was neither!
Reading about some of the hardships people went through back then made me appreciate the simple things--running water, a stove and a bathroom!
I'd recommend this to anyone!
It's about two families traveling from Norway to America for the free land. I really like the main character, Ingeborg. She was real, which is hard to find in Christian Fiction. Too often the characters are predictable and *yawn* boring. She was neither!
Reading about some of the hardships people went through back then made me appreciate the simple things--running water, a stove and a bathroom!
I'd recommend this to anyone!
June 7, 2022
This is one of my all time FAVORITE series! I read it every few years, always in the fall/ winter. I enjoy reading about the struggles our pioneering ancestors faced and ultimately overcame as they settled our amazing nation!
I have enjoyed all the books in this series and the other series that continue branching off this main. Each one speaks to me in a different way. I am always better for having spent time with Ms Snelling's characters. 😊
I have enjoyed all the books in this series and the other series that continue branching off this main. Each one speaks to me in a different way. I am always better for having spent time with Ms Snelling's characters. 😊
January 24, 2026
good book
I enjoyed ready this story. I will have to read the series.
It is a book to enjoy on a cold winter day.
I enjoyed ready this story. I will have to read the series.
It is a book to enjoy on a cold winter day.
May 22, 2025
4.5 stars
"It will require a strong back, and a stronger well of patience." I kept thinking of this line as these pioneers from Norway tried to make a life in America. This became like a documentary on the lives of these two families.
Emotional ups and downs, small gains and huge losses; as we take so many modern conveniences for granted. The incredible grit, fortitude, and faith it took pioneers to build a life for themselves from a plot of ground.
The audiobook was engaging. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
"It will require a strong back, and a stronger well of patience." I kept thinking of this line as these pioneers from Norway tried to make a life in America. This became like a documentary on the lives of these two families.
Emotional ups and downs, small gains and huge losses; as we take so many modern conveniences for granted. The incredible grit, fortitude, and faith it took pioneers to build a life for themselves from a plot of ground.
The audiobook was engaging. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
September 20, 2019
She had promised herself that once they left the fjords of Norway, she would never look back. The promise of free land lures Roald and Ingeborg Bjorklund
from their beloved home high above the fjords of Norway, and after three long years of scrimping and saving to buy tickets for their passage to America,
they finally arrive at the docks of New York City. This new land promises a rich heritage for their children, and here they hope to build a good life.
After a long journey by train and then by covered wagon, the Bjorklunds finally arrive in Dakota Territory, where they settle on the banks of the Red River
of the North. But the virgin prairie refuses to yield its treasure without a struggle. Will Roald and Ingeborg be strong enough to overcome the hardships
of that first winter? Proud of their heritage and sustained by their faith, they came to tame a new land.
this book was marketed for a young adult audience, but this is definitely for adults, too.
I really really liked this first in the series, so much that I immediately read the next and if you're reading this blog from the web page you'll see that review before you see this one. I'm surprised I liked it as much as I did, though and the reason is this. I'm surprised because it's touted as Christian fiction and is in fact published by a christian publisher if I'm not mistaken. I'm not necessarily one for christian fiction. I've read The Left behind series, and although I loved them a lot when I read them, they now leave a very very bad taste in my mouth. I think what distinguishes this series from books like the left behind series, though, is that the Norwegian people really believed God would help them... they prayed to him a lot, and they weren't self-righteous about it. In other words, God was real to them, and they didn't shove it down your throat. Also, Snelling can make the point that the Bjorklund family was religious in such a way that it's believable, and I can go, "You know what? I buy it".
This book will make you laugh, but this book is pretty dark at times. The emotion is so real and I loved everything about it. I knocked a star off because I think the christian symbolism might be a bit much for some people, but take it from me and give it a shot.
from their beloved home high above the fjords of Norway, and after three long years of scrimping and saving to buy tickets for their passage to America,
they finally arrive at the docks of New York City. This new land promises a rich heritage for their children, and here they hope to build a good life.
After a long journey by train and then by covered wagon, the Bjorklunds finally arrive in Dakota Territory, where they settle on the banks of the Red River
of the North. But the virgin prairie refuses to yield its treasure without a struggle. Will Roald and Ingeborg be strong enough to overcome the hardships
of that first winter? Proud of their heritage and sustained by their faith, they came to tame a new land.
this book was marketed for a young adult audience, but this is definitely for adults, too.
I really really liked this first in the series, so much that I immediately read the next and if you're reading this blog from the web page you'll see that review before you see this one. I'm surprised I liked it as much as I did, though and the reason is this. I'm surprised because it's touted as Christian fiction and is in fact published by a christian publisher if I'm not mistaken. I'm not necessarily one for christian fiction. I've read The Left behind series, and although I loved them a lot when I read them, they now leave a very very bad taste in my mouth. I think what distinguishes this series from books like the left behind series, though, is that the Norwegian people really believed God would help them... they prayed to him a lot, and they weren't self-righteous about it. In other words, God was real to them, and they didn't shove it down your throat. Also, Snelling can make the point that the Bjorklund family was religious in such a way that it's believable, and I can go, "You know what? I buy it".
This book will make you laugh, but this book is pretty dark at times. The emotion is so real and I loved everything about it. I knocked a star off because I think the christian symbolism might be a bit much for some people, but take it from me and give it a shot.
October 2, 2014
Lauraine Snelling's An Untamed Land and the Bjorklund family drew me in and I found myself turning out the light just before dawn...I couldn't put the account of their journey to and life in a new land down.
Brothers Roald and Carl land in New York in 1880 with their families and a dream to forge a farmstead out of the wilderness. The proud Norwegian immigrants are determined to find a new life in the Dakota Territory but will they be able to win against the forces of the vast prairie?
Brothers Roald and Carl land in New York in 1880 with their families and a dream to forge a farmstead out of the wilderness. The proud Norwegian immigrants are determined to find a new life in the Dakota Territory but will they be able to win against the forces of the vast prairie?
April 13, 2023
This was a great story of courage and adventure about families migrating to America from Norway in the late 1800s, a time when America was hardly settled and starting out in a new country in a completely different environment was an enormous challenge. The story is tragic in many ways, but also inspiring. A great historical journey with excellent characters and written in a way that takes the reader right into the experience.
April 19, 2015
This is an excellent book. The work and struggles that early pioneers went through in order to establish this country is amazing. They go through many heartaches and trials. You will laugh and cry with them. The women in this book are very strong. Their faith in God is what sees them through. This is a good read.
June 20, 2013
In 1999 I bought this book for my Norway-born mother who later passed it on to my Asian-born wife. They both loved the book. I continued to buy the subsequent books in the Snelling's Norwegian immigrant series as gifts which as of this review (April 2010) comprises fifteen books, plus four ancillary works in the same genre (the Dakotah Treasures series). I started reading An Untamed Land myself in 2008 and I am now starting on my eleventh "Bjorklund" book.
Reviwers would categorize these books as Christian chick lit, so what is a man doing reading them? It started with curiosity because of my Norwegian connection, in addition to my interest in the European 19th century immigration to North America. In this world of much pessimism, violence, cynicism, family disconnection, Hollywood hype and disbelief in the divine I thought it might be worthwhile to spend some time with positive, character-building, and inspirational, family-oriented literature. Lauraine Snelling decidedly knows how to write books infused with elevated human values and the emotions that accompany doubts, trials, depression and tragedies as well as joys and celebrations.
I must say that I was quite disappointed by this first book's lack of genealogical research and historical integrity. I can't understand how Snelling could venture into this project without getting information verified by Norwegians. Since I found myself editorializing as I was reading this spoiled some of my reading pleasure and it became a sufficient irritation for me so I began to mark the book whenever I met with these distractions. Here are some examples (some also apply to the second volume, A New Day Rising):
The worst errors concern personal names, first names as well as last, many of which are improvised and inauthentic. For a starter, the Bjorklund (Bjørklund, Swedish Björklund) name has historically been ten times more prevalent in Sweden than in Norway. In the same vain, surnames which Snelling consistently ends in the patronym "son" (e.g. Knutson, Johnson, Olsson, Hanson, Thorlakson, Hjelmson, Sjornson, Peterson) are thus marked as having Swedish origins. Norwegian patronyms end in "sen." Quite a number of names in the books have quaint spellings incompatible with Norwegian lore. One might wonder why the author didn't use a Minnesota or Dakota's telephone book to choose common traditional names. The spelling of Carl, rather than Karl, is commonly Swedish. The spelling of Kaaren, with two a's, is nonexistent in Norway; Karen is the correct form. Thorliff may be Icelandic but is definitely not Norwegian. The correct form would be Torleif or Thorleif. Thorly would not be his nickname but Tor/Thor or Leif. To be authentic Gunhilde should be Gunhild. Bridget was not a 19th century Norwegian name; Birgit would be. Andrew is not a name new Norwegian immigrants would have named their son; Anders or Andreas would be. Haakan should be Haakon or Hakon. Hjelmer is another nonexistent name; it should be Hjalmar. Hamre is nonexistent. Soren is laughably named as the wife of Johann Bjorklund but it (Søren) has always been a man's name, never a woman's! Katja is not a 19th century Norwegian girl's name, but German or Russian; Kaja would be Norwegian. References are made to the city of Oslo but it was called Christiania up until its name changed in 1925.
As far as "norsk" is concerned, why did Snelling not take the time to ask a Norwegian and get it right? "E Jesu naven gor vi til brod," should be "I Jesu navn gaar vi til bords." "Takk fer matten (thanks for the mat!)," should be "takk for maten (the meal)." "Hu tu me tu!" should be "hutte meg tu!" "Mor's den lille gutten," is insensible; it should be "mors lille gutt." The expression "uff da"--popularized in America--is way overused. Normally it is correctly uttered light-heartedly. It wrongly trivializes a situation when used in a serious context. "Mange takk," is also overused. "Takk," or "takk, takk," or "takk for det," or "takk skal du ha," are other variants which could have been used in between. From the start, Ingeborg frequently adresses her son Thorliff as "den lille," which means "that little one," in the neuter gender. In most cases, in his presence, he should be called "du lille, or lille deg" meaning "you, little one." When Carl goes shopping in New York City, he asks for "egg" and "melk" and amazingly is NOT understood by anyone when the English of these words is pronounced similarly! In all the Bjorklund books the German and Norwegian languages are presented as conversationally easy for speakers of either language to be understood by each other. This is a complete fallacy.
In this book we are told that the Bjorklund clan hails from Valdres which is a mountainous landlocked inland valley in southern Norway. But the menfolk in the book are fishermen and refer to working on fishing boats, which can not be related to Valdres. In the second book, inexplicably, the Bjorklunds' origin shifts to Nordland in northern coastal Norway, which then does fit in with the reference to ocean fishing.
Other errors: Ingeborg goes bird hunting with the same rifle she uses for deer. The birds would have exploded! She would have used a shotgun for birds. The native half breed who befriends them they call Metis but in subsequent books the spelling changes to Metiz. Burning deciduous trees does not produce pitch; conifers do. Deciduous trees have sap. Unlike what the author states evergreen trees were not uncommon in the Dakotas before land was cleared extensively. The Bjorklunds' first sod house is only twelve by fourteen feet, which was common, but as the story progresses it would have been impossibly small for all the people, furnishings and activities described. Incredibly it states three men could build the sod house in one day, including the roof and finish raising the walls for the barn the next day! Whew!! Oh, and contrary to what is stated numerous times, ducks do not fly in a V-formation (geese do) and mosquitoes do not buzz around in the late fall. And, chairs can not be "pushed back" on a dirt floor. They must be lifted. These are just some of the more obvious errors.
Fortunately most readers of this book will not be distracted as I was by any of the above. Now having completed my tenth book I can say that occasions to become irritated diminish greatly with each subsequent book. I give Snelling credit for keeping readers' attention from beginning to end. They can easily feel involved with the characters' personal relationships and the drama of their experiences. There are hardships and tragedies but also happiness, comfort and joy. Each book introduces more children and unique characters, having personalities we probably recognize from our own life journey. There is no lack of tension and conflict but love and co-operation usually win the day. The Christian faith aspect of the books is handled sensitively and legitimately.
I do recommend this first book in this multi-volume family saga but perhaps more for the necessary groundwork it establishes for the better books that follow than for what it has to offer on its own.
Reviwers would categorize these books as Christian chick lit, so what is a man doing reading them? It started with curiosity because of my Norwegian connection, in addition to my interest in the European 19th century immigration to North America. In this world of much pessimism, violence, cynicism, family disconnection, Hollywood hype and disbelief in the divine I thought it might be worthwhile to spend some time with positive, character-building, and inspirational, family-oriented literature. Lauraine Snelling decidedly knows how to write books infused with elevated human values and the emotions that accompany doubts, trials, depression and tragedies as well as joys and celebrations.
I must say that I was quite disappointed by this first book's lack of genealogical research and historical integrity. I can't understand how Snelling could venture into this project without getting information verified by Norwegians. Since I found myself editorializing as I was reading this spoiled some of my reading pleasure and it became a sufficient irritation for me so I began to mark the book whenever I met with these distractions. Here are some examples (some also apply to the second volume, A New Day Rising):
The worst errors concern personal names, first names as well as last, many of which are improvised and inauthentic. For a starter, the Bjorklund (Bjørklund, Swedish Björklund) name has historically been ten times more prevalent in Sweden than in Norway. In the same vain, surnames which Snelling consistently ends in the patronym "son" (e.g. Knutson, Johnson, Olsson, Hanson, Thorlakson, Hjelmson, Sjornson, Peterson) are thus marked as having Swedish origins. Norwegian patronyms end in "sen." Quite a number of names in the books have quaint spellings incompatible with Norwegian lore. One might wonder why the author didn't use a Minnesota or Dakota's telephone book to choose common traditional names. The spelling of Carl, rather than Karl, is commonly Swedish. The spelling of Kaaren, with two a's, is nonexistent in Norway; Karen is the correct form. Thorliff may be Icelandic but is definitely not Norwegian. The correct form would be Torleif or Thorleif. Thorly would not be his nickname but Tor/Thor or Leif. To be authentic Gunhilde should be Gunhild. Bridget was not a 19th century Norwegian name; Birgit would be. Andrew is not a name new Norwegian immigrants would have named their son; Anders or Andreas would be. Haakan should be Haakon or Hakon. Hjelmer is another nonexistent name; it should be Hjalmar. Hamre is nonexistent. Soren is laughably named as the wife of Johann Bjorklund but it (Søren) has always been a man's name, never a woman's! Katja is not a 19th century Norwegian girl's name, but German or Russian; Kaja would be Norwegian. References are made to the city of Oslo but it was called Christiania up until its name changed in 1925.
As far as "norsk" is concerned, why did Snelling not take the time to ask a Norwegian and get it right? "E Jesu naven gor vi til brod," should be "I Jesu navn gaar vi til bords." "Takk fer matten (thanks for the mat!)," should be "takk for maten (the meal)." "Hu tu me tu!" should be "hutte meg tu!" "Mor's den lille gutten," is insensible; it should be "mors lille gutt." The expression "uff da"--popularized in America--is way overused. Normally it is correctly uttered light-heartedly. It wrongly trivializes a situation when used in a serious context. "Mange takk," is also overused. "Takk," or "takk, takk," or "takk for det," or "takk skal du ha," are other variants which could have been used in between. From the start, Ingeborg frequently adresses her son Thorliff as "den lille," which means "that little one," in the neuter gender. In most cases, in his presence, he should be called "du lille, or lille deg" meaning "you, little one." When Carl goes shopping in New York City, he asks for "egg" and "melk" and amazingly is NOT understood by anyone when the English of these words is pronounced similarly! In all the Bjorklund books the German and Norwegian languages are presented as conversationally easy for speakers of either language to be understood by each other. This is a complete fallacy.
In this book we are told that the Bjorklund clan hails from Valdres which is a mountainous landlocked inland valley in southern Norway. But the menfolk in the book are fishermen and refer to working on fishing boats, which can not be related to Valdres. In the second book, inexplicably, the Bjorklunds' origin shifts to Nordland in northern coastal Norway, which then does fit in with the reference to ocean fishing.
Other errors: Ingeborg goes bird hunting with the same rifle she uses for deer. The birds would have exploded! She would have used a shotgun for birds. The native half breed who befriends them they call Metis but in subsequent books the spelling changes to Metiz. Burning deciduous trees does not produce pitch; conifers do. Deciduous trees have sap. Unlike what the author states evergreen trees were not uncommon in the Dakotas before land was cleared extensively. The Bjorklunds' first sod house is only twelve by fourteen feet, which was common, but as the story progresses it would have been impossibly small for all the people, furnishings and activities described. Incredibly it states three men could build the sod house in one day, including the roof and finish raising the walls for the barn the next day! Whew!! Oh, and contrary to what is stated numerous times, ducks do not fly in a V-formation (geese do) and mosquitoes do not buzz around in the late fall. And, chairs can not be "pushed back" on a dirt floor. They must be lifted. These are just some of the more obvious errors.
Fortunately most readers of this book will not be distracted as I was by any of the above. Now having completed my tenth book I can say that occasions to become irritated diminish greatly with each subsequent book. I give Snelling credit for keeping readers' attention from beginning to end. They can easily feel involved with the characters' personal relationships and the drama of their experiences. There are hardships and tragedies but also happiness, comfort and joy. Each book introduces more children and unique characters, having personalities we probably recognize from our own life journey. There is no lack of tension and conflict but love and co-operation usually win the day. The Christian faith aspect of the books is handled sensitively and legitimately.
I do recommend this first book in this multi-volume family saga but perhaps more for the necessary groundwork it establishes for the better books that follow than for what it has to offer on its own.
June 13, 2021
Joy and heartbreak as Roald and Ingeborg struggle to tame the land The author brings a vivid picture that makes you feel you are there. I cried and smiled as the narrator did a wonderful job of telling this amazing story
December 16, 2009
amazing book about the process of getting from norway, through the saving and scrimping for passage and then the hardships of traveling across from new york to North Dakota. The strength of the woman was amazing. I don't know how they go through the hard work and not being able to voice their thoughts and opinions to the men would be a trial in itself. Women, like snellings, Ingeborg Bjorklund and Kaaren Bjorklund, sister-in-laws endure loss not only of the conviences of living in a settled land, but the security of family when they left Norway. They both have young children and the inconvience of not knowing the english language. After finding and settling on their land that will be passed down to the children, the enjoy a little reprieve after their long haul to set up soddies for homes and then establish the area, but death comes knocking on their doors. Kaaren's husband and two girls are lost to influenza and when Ingeborg's husband tries to go help his neighbors, he is caught in a storm and never seen again. Kaaren is numb to everything for awhile and while Inge runs everything around the two claims she hardens her heart to a God that would not love his children enough to allow such things to happen and not answer her prayers. She turns away her friends and even kaaren and even starts to neglect the boys until slowly she lets the darkness break from her heart and be the old Inge again. She asks for forgiveness from God and friends and tries harder to be the mother that her boys need and let others help her. Mitas a older woman of mixed indian and french blood helps the woman to use the land during their hard times and heals them with her knowledge and her friend the wolf. Kaaren marries again to a man named Lars. Haakan Howard Bjorklund a distand cousin of her late husbands come in the spring to help with the land.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2013
I recently read “An Untamed Land”, the first book of the series, red River of the North by Lauraine Snelling.
This book is the story of a Norwegian family who comes to America to settle in the Red River valley in North Dakota (at that time the Dakota Territory) in 1880. Roald Bjorklund and his son and second wife, Ingebord, along with Roald’s brother Carl and his pregnant wife, Kaaren undertake the long voyage from Norway. They have planned this trip for a long while. Roald’s first wife, Anna, would have come with him, but sadly passed away. Ingebord married Roald mostly to be a mother to five-year-old Thorliff. Not only is the sea journey of the Bjorklunds’ uncomfortable and hazardous, but the journey from New York to the Dakota Territory was long and filled with problems.
The Dakota Territory was an unforgiving land of promise. Terrible winter storms raced across the plains and caused many deaths. The grassland was hard to plow for grain fields and the towns were few and far between.
I really liked this story. I got so caught up in the family tensions and the good times that I thought I was living them myself. I cannot imagine four adults, a child and a newborn living in a covered wagon for the trek across half of America, only to then live in a small sod house during the worst of winters. I think you will find that this story has all the hallmarks of a good read.
I was sent this Kindle book from the publisher, Bethany House, and from NetGalley.com for my honest review.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-6c.
This book is the story of a Norwegian family who comes to America to settle in the Red River valley in North Dakota (at that time the Dakota Territory) in 1880. Roald Bjorklund and his son and second wife, Ingebord, along with Roald’s brother Carl and his pregnant wife, Kaaren undertake the long voyage from Norway. They have planned this trip for a long while. Roald’s first wife, Anna, would have come with him, but sadly passed away. Ingebord married Roald mostly to be a mother to five-year-old Thorliff. Not only is the sea journey of the Bjorklunds’ uncomfortable and hazardous, but the journey from New York to the Dakota Territory was long and filled with problems.
The Dakota Territory was an unforgiving land of promise. Terrible winter storms raced across the plains and caused many deaths. The grassland was hard to plow for grain fields and the towns were few and far between.
I really liked this story. I got so caught up in the family tensions and the good times that I thought I was living them myself. I cannot imagine four adults, a child and a newborn living in a covered wagon for the trek across half of America, only to then live in a small sod house during the worst of winters. I think you will find that this story has all the hallmarks of a good read.
I was sent this Kindle book from the publisher, Bethany House, and from NetGalley.com for my honest review.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-6c.
September 4, 2017
From Norway, Roald and Ingeborg Bjorklund travel. They arrive in New York City, then by train, followed by covered wagon, they arrive in the Dakota Territory.
I loved every step these pioneers took on their journey to America. The spirit and determination of Roald and Ingeborg along with Carl and Karren showed grit.
From the chaos after coming ashore, to the train busting through heavy snow, to the covered wagon pushing through mud, character shined.
In a small way, it felt as though I were there. Excited I was when they received their first animals, built their first house, turned their first ground.
The adventure and newness of the untamed land didn't always shine well on them. Hard work and unforgiving weather cost lives.
I have to add one part: Prior to reading this book, I took a tour of land in Nebraska. The tour guide also informed me of his family history. They arrived from Czelsovokia and farmed the land. This added to the enjoyment of Untamed Land since I had a real-life history lesson.
I look forward to the next book in this series.
I loved every step these pioneers took on their journey to America. The spirit and determination of Roald and Ingeborg along with Carl and Karren showed grit.
From the chaos after coming ashore, to the train busting through heavy snow, to the covered wagon pushing through mud, character shined.
In a small way, it felt as though I were there. Excited I was when they received their first animals, built their first house, turned their first ground.
The adventure and newness of the untamed land didn't always shine well on them. Hard work and unforgiving weather cost lives.
I have to add one part: Prior to reading this book, I took a tour of land in Nebraska. The tour guide also informed me of his family history. They arrived from Czelsovokia and farmed the land. This added to the enjoyment of Untamed Land since I had a real-life history lesson.
I look forward to the next book in this series.
October 12, 2019
Some things bug me about this story. The flow of time is confusing. Often times I would think it was the next day when apparently days, weeks, or months would have passed. I just read the prequel prior to rereading this and I was often frustrated at the inconsistencies between the two books. But that, of course, is a problem with the prequel, which, by the way, I really enjoyed. It took me awhile to see what Ingeborg saw in Roald--this man with such a serious mien. Even with my reading frustrations, this is a treasured story. It makes me think of my own Scandinavian ancestors and their similar struggle to wrestle a living from the land. I love the exhilarating idea of starting with nothing but the land and using your own two hands to build up abundance and comfort. And it also shows the juxtaposition of the brute strength of will to make it happen and the humility to trust God 'even if'. It was well worth reading again.
September 21, 2016
The pacing of this book was very slow and somewhat frustrating. I had such a difficult time with Ingeborg keeping every thought inside and not ever speaking her heart to her husband, although I'm sure that is probably fairly historically accurate with women of that time.
I understand that life for a homesteader probably did plod along just like the book but it was difficult to listen to. By the time I reached the end of the book I didn't think I could really stand to read the next one. Why in the heck was the gentleman from New York continuously brought back into the story for no apparent reason? I kept thinking she'd run into him, but no. If the stage is being set for another book in the series, I haven't the patience to get there right now...
Also, the poor woman who read the audiobook spoke like a robot which did not help the story any.
I understand that life for a homesteader probably did plod along just like the book but it was difficult to listen to. By the time I reached the end of the book I didn't think I could really stand to read the next one. Why in the heck was the gentleman from New York continuously brought back into the story for no apparent reason? I kept thinking she'd run into him, but no. If the stage is being set for another book in the series, I haven't the patience to get there right now...
Also, the poor woman who read the audiobook spoke like a robot which did not help the story any.
January 28, 2014
Being the first fiction book I've read in a long time, I was hoping it would be an enjoyable, yet engaging 'brain-break'. I was not disappointed! It is written from the women's point of view - a newly wed wife in a Norwegian family. While seeking to escape the lack of opportunity in the homeland, they traveled to America, trusting in the promise of free land in the Dakota territory. Her thoughts processes were believable and encouraging as she struggled to hold tight to faith while struggling with family and settling a foreign land. I was grateful that it wasn't very predictable, but most enjoyable was encountering the challenges of frontier life that Snelling presented. At some point, I'll probably read the next book in the series.
June 4, 2014
Book #1- of their Red River of the North series - This is about a family from Norway coming to America by ship
in the 1800's to homestead land in the Dakota country in America. Travelling by ship to cross the ocean,
then entering into New York not speaking English and trying to find a place to stay. Then trying to buy a covered wagon, oxen and all the other supplies to make the trip to the Dakota's. After getting to Dakota country they have to decide where to homestead and trying to find the best place to live. They were some of the first people to settle in the Dakota area.
This s a great series, good story, good author, a very good read.
in the 1800's to homestead land in the Dakota country in America. Travelling by ship to cross the ocean,
then entering into New York not speaking English and trying to find a place to stay. Then trying to buy a covered wagon, oxen and all the other supplies to make the trip to the Dakota's. After getting to Dakota country they have to decide where to homestead and trying to find the best place to live. They were some of the first people to settle in the Dakota area.
This s a great series, good story, good author, a very good read.
May 2, 2015
Incredible historical series!!
I have read all 18 books-so far in this series and it is one of my favorite series ever. Yes, it is a Christian Historical series and for me I love the faith that theses characters have. God is part of their daily lives and I found that uplifting. But it's also a great portrait of the life and times of an immigrant farming family in the late 1800's and continuing on into the 1900's. That is my own history and I find it fascinating to imagine what my ancestors went through. Just try it - if u love it u have an epic series to look forward to!
I have read all 18 books-so far in this series and it is one of my favorite series ever. Yes, it is a Christian Historical series and for me I love the faith that theses characters have. God is part of their daily lives and I found that uplifting. But it's also a great portrait of the life and times of an immigrant farming family in the late 1800's and continuing on into the 1900's. That is my own history and I find it fascinating to imagine what my ancestors went through. Just try it - if u love it u have an epic series to look forward to!
September 18, 2012
Aside from the occasional odd and/or incorrect use of Norwegian words, a very enjoyable and moving story of Norwegian immigrants beginning their new life as farmers in the upper Midwest. They had many struggles, from breaking the land, to winter storms, to great losses that made some question their faith, but these strong Norwegians pulled through. Makes me very proud of my heritage! I look forward to reading the next in the series.
August 18, 2012
First of the "Red River of the North" series of 6 books, this is the story of the struggles and hardships of a Norwegian family who emigrates to the Dakota Territory to homestead. For me, it was a comforting story and mostly well written. One part that was not at all developed was the character of Kaaren after the deaths of her husband and children. There was a real gap there. I'll continue with the next in the series.
December 26, 2012
Loved this book. This is a series that is the beginning of another series I'd already read, so I'm going backwards. But, this is a good place to start if you've never read Lauraine Snelling's Christian historical fiction. This is about a family emigrating from Scandanavia to the western U.S. and homesteading and all the work and heart break that comes with it. I loved it and couldn't wait to get right into #2.
February 6, 2013
An amazing story of hopes, dreams, and longing, of faith to get through the worst, and restoration. I cried through most of this story, so have your tissues ready. It broke my heart when life was lost. And the pain you feel for Kaaren and Ingeborg losing children and husband in this long journey of taming an untamed land, is so profound it takes deep root in your heart and you feel it as surely as it is your very own! An excellent read by Ms. Lauraine Snelling! Bravo!
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