Part One: Comments with spoilers.

[Tracey]

Please post comments and relevant information you have come across about part one only.

[Tracey]

I have just finished part one and here are my thoughts:

The book is set in the 19th century; 1850s-1880s.
The main protagonist is Isak, who is a man of determination. He sets off to the wilderness in Northern Norway forests, above the Arctic circle. He craves out a dwelling and tills the land. He truly is a son of Adam, earning his bread by the sweat of his brow.
The number of characters is not huge which is to be expected in virtual wilderness, but they are all finely characterized by the author and through them, he shows the range of human emotions.
The story is a magnificent depiction of a man who understands the husbandry that land and animals require and fully meets it. He understands that good and bad will come his way and accepts each with stoicism. He is a pioneer similar to those to be found in Western American literature.

Questions:
1. The author wanted to portray the beauty and virtue of nature and tradition and to show how it was being destroyed by industrialisation and modernity. Did you see this in part 1?

2. What are your thoughts on what Inger did?

3. There is a simplicity and purity about Isak's existence. One line I came across was; Happiness is not the same as having fun. Do you agree?