Are you searching for a light read this summer? Giants in the Earth probably isn’t the one to reach for… but if you’re on the hunt for a book that is rich, poetic, and deeply human, O.E. Rolvaag’s captivating writing should do the trick! Originally written in Norwegian in 1925, the story follows a Norwegian family of settlers trying to put down roots in the untouched Dakota Territory, and encapsulates the feelings that the pioneers of this time may have felt: Rolvaag himself a Norwegian immigrant to an established town in South Dakota, perhaps drawing from his own experiences to paint a picture of hardship, hope, and identity.
The enthusiastic main protagonist, Per Hansa, worked on bettering his land and his family’s prospects with tenacity and optimism, but oftentimes contrasts with the anxiety many pioneers felt when faced with the unknown Natives or Irishmen, and his wife, Beret’s “feeling of unfathomable loneliness,” further illustrating the profoundly human look at starting over, and the emotional toll that can accompany you on your travels.
Rolvaag also incorporates fascinating cultural themes – Norwegian folklore, fantastical imaginings of castles and kingdoms, and biblical references throughout. The title itself, Giants in the Earth, references Genesis 6:4, which reads “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” While this verse is rather cryptic, it sets the tone for a novel filled with big themes: good vs. evil, judgement, redemption, and the strength of those in the midst of their own genesis. Further along in the book, calls to attention Genesis 1:10 “And God called the dry land Earth… and God saw that it was good,” beautifully narrating that for pioneers, taming the land was often more than just farming – it was a spiritual endeavor of their own creation.
As mentioned, Rolvaag also includes Norwegian folklore, comparing the Irish neighbors to trolls, who were creatures believed to be dangerous beings of the wilderness that were often hostile to humans, perhaps symbolizing tensions and fears between different groups of settlers on the frontier. To add to the fantastical themes sprinkled without, Per Hansa often likens his piece of land and his sod house to his very own kingdom, himself and his wife its rulers, bettering their land for their successors. I read something once (I wish I knew where so I could share it with you), that oftentimes the pioneer families, specifically those who were parents, gave up their lives and comfort so their children could reap the rewards. Per Hansa and Beret’s journey throughout Giants in the Earth really speaks to that for me.
So while this particular book is not a quick or light read, it’s full of depth and humanity, and beautifully illustrates the struggles and successes that our country’s brave pioneers faced when they settled in places untouched.
Tish-ah, Tish-ah!
Mountain Girl
Interested in reading this classic? Here’s an Amazon link – it’s free on Kindle!
Mountain Girl Goes 
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