Chronicles the experiences of a sensitive young Norwegian immigrant to Minnesota and deals with the human cost of immigration. The book sharply contrasts a poetic vision of the homeland with the stark reality of life among the poor in Minneapolis in the 1910s.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“This novel has its own value as a poetic representation of the isolation which a sensitive immigrant boy faces in the New world.... It should further establish Rolvaag's high place in the literature of the American Midwest.”–New Republic
Language Notes
Text: English, Norwegian (translation)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A poetic novel,
By R. Berglee (Mt. Pleasant, MI United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Boat of Longing (Borealis Books) (Paperback)
This book was meant to be the first of a three-part saga, similar to Rolvaag's other saga, Giants in the Earth. Having written this first part of the series, Rolvaag switched to writing the Giants in the Earth series; unfortunately, he died before he had the chance to finish this incredibly beautifully written series -- so it ends up being a permanent cliff-hanger, which will likely haunt the reader. The writing in this book is, in my humble opinion, lyrical, poetic, moving and compelling. The book is about a young Norwegian immigrant who comes to America. Gradually, he loses touch with his parents, who have stayed in Norway. His father, who could probably be described as lovable but antisocial, comes to America but ... well, if I told you what happens, it would spoil it for you. The book contains some references to Norwegian folklore, but the folklore is shrouded is some mystery; I suspect that Rolvaag intended to flesh out the meaning of the Longing Boat later in his series. Though I read the book about 8 years ago, I still remember the images that it evoked and long to know what Rolvaag had planned for the rest of the series.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boat of Longing,
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This review is from: Boat of Longing (Borealis Books) (Paperback)
A favorite of mine.
Life in America for a Norwegian immigrant to America is not always gold. Those left behind often suffer the loss.
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Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs):
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Mother Anna, The Boat of Longing, Per Syv, Ole Hansen, The Cove Under the Hill, Hearts That Ache, Fourth Street, Otto Hansen, Kristine Dahl, Terje Viken, Washington Avenue, Golden Gate, Seven Corners, Cedar Avenue, George Huestis, Jesus Christ, Per Tenholmen, Again Nils, Court House, Great Northern Station, New York, Merciful God, Dagny Hals Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Mother Anna, The Boat of Longing, Per Syv, Ole Hansen, The Cove Under the Hill, Hearts That Ache, Fourth Street, Otto Hansen, Kristine Dahl, Terje Viken, Washington Avenue, Golden Gate, Seven Corners, Cedar Avenue, George Huestis, Jesus Christ, Per Tenholmen, Again Nils, Court House, Great Northern Station, New York, Merciful God, Dagny Hals Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
4
books
cite this book:
- The Western Home: A LITERARY HISTORY OF NORWEGIAN AMERICA (Authors Series (Norwegian-American Historical Association), V. 8.) by Orm Overland on 4 pages
- Literature and Lore of the Sea (Costerus NS 52) by Patricia Ann Carlson on 4 pages
- Indispensable Outcasts: Hobo Workers and Community in the American Midwest, 1880-1930 (Working Class in American History) by Frank Tobias Higbie on page 34, page 59, and Back Matter
- The Lutherans (Denominations in America) by L. DeAne Lagerquist on page 219
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