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The Lutefisk Ghetto: Life in a Norwegian-American Town [Scandinavia, Wisconsin]
A very funny account of all phases of life in 1945 Scandinavia, Wisconsin. A "Life goes on I forget just why; the only thing tighter than one Norwegian is two Norwegians; vass I effer pussled at da accents dat yew peeple got here yet, den"
203 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 4, 2018
My father and grandfather were both in the military, which makes any roots I have self-imposed. One way I've done this is look back, beyond their days of perpetual moving to the times when immigrants came to America and stayed in one place. There are towns in America where immigrants remained in one village for decades. This book presents this very thing, and the people are related to my own -- Norwegian Americans. It's quite humorous to see what these particular people were like when they lived in community on American soil. This book gave me comfort and a little insight.
Things to note:
a. Racial tension was primarily with Poles, not blacks, Hispanics, etc.
b. Eighth grade, even in the 40's, was considered all you needed. The push for college education began after WWII.
c. Norwegian was spoken.
d. Norwegian names were given.
e. Relative poverty existed, even after the Depression.
f. Joining the military was a matter of duty, not really debated.
"What was once a badge of shame for masses of immigrants -- one's ethnic background -- has become a source of pride, and for many, a weapon of haughtiness."
When I meet immigrants in the United States who have nothing more than a middle school education, who speak poor English -- or none at all, when I sense their poverty, there's no reason for me to look down on them, but only care for them because they are in a situation that appears parallel with my own ancestors. They simply want work, a place to live.
Good book.
Things to note:
a. Racial tension was primarily with Poles, not blacks, Hispanics, etc.
b. Eighth grade, even in the 40's, was considered all you needed. The push for college education began after WWII.
c. Norwegian was spoken.
d. Norwegian names were given.
e. Relative poverty existed, even after the Depression.
f. Joining the military was a matter of duty, not really debated.
"What was once a badge of shame for masses of immigrants -- one's ethnic background -- has become a source of pride, and for many, a weapon of haughtiness."
When I meet immigrants in the United States who have nothing more than a middle school education, who speak poor English -- or none at all, when I sense their poverty, there's no reason for me to look down on them, but only care for them because they are in a situation that appears parallel with my own ancestors. They simply want work, a place to live.
Good book.
October 23, 2025
Take a 2 by 4 oak board, soak lutefisk in ketchup, put it in the oven on 400 for an hour, take the lutefisk out -throw it away, eat the oak board.
August 18, 2022
The author tells of growing up in a small Wisconsin town after WW2.
September 24, 2009
I read this in college at Bemidji State...it was humorous.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews