The Fruits of the Earth

The peasant newcomers go into the forest wilderness and try to build their little happiness away from civilization.

A measured philosophical novel that brought Knut Hamsun the Nobel Prize. Isaac comes to the forest, brings a goat with him, and starts life from scratch.

He arranges his home, starts a household, and works diligently. First by himself, then with his wife and children.

"The Fruits of the Earth" is an ode to the land, labor, and the people who work on it.

Hamsun does not idealize his characters; he contemplates their strength and weakness, merits and flaws, listens with love to their yearnings and hopes, small victories, and even great defeats.