Alex’s review of Growth of the Soil > Likes and Comments
5 likes · Like
Alex, I think that’s one of Hamsun’s greatest strengths too. He’s obviously brilliant at creating characters, but what impresses me even more is how naturally he shows time and experience working on them. Their inner lives shift so gradually that you almost don’t notice it happening and then suddenly you realize how much they’ve changed.
@Pia always love your thoughts on these things! I felt that Inger specifically illustrated your point so well - reminded me a lot of the wife in Patrick Whites Tree of Life (another top tier pastoral) in her complexity and flaws. I love that element of Hamsun - the flaws are brought out forcefully but also with grace, never a vindictive feel. The simplicity of the prose also had such beautiful layers. I think I may read Pan or Mysteries by him next, but a few other authors are calling my name currently
Thanks, Alex! I haven’t read Pan yet, but I did read Mysteries and I really couldn’t stand Nagel. I do wonder if I’d feel differently about it now, though, because it’s been a long time since I read it. The Wanderer is another Hamsun I’ve been meaning to get to at some point. Apparently, instead of reading his books in any sensible order, I just keep circling around them.
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Pia G.
(new)
Oct 17, 2026 09:15PM
Alex, I think that’s one of Hamsun’s greatest strengths too. He’s obviously brilliant at creating characters, but what impresses me even more is how naturally he shows time and experience working on them. Their inner lives shift so gradually that you almost don’t notice it happening and then suddenly you realize how much they’ve changed.
reply
|
flag
@Pia always love your thoughts on these things! I felt that Inger specifically illustrated your point so well - reminded me a lot of the wife in Patrick Whites Tree of Life (another top tier pastoral) in her complexity and flaws. I love that element of Hamsun - the flaws are brought out forcefully but also with grace, never a vindictive feel. The simplicity of the prose also had such beautiful layers. I think I may read Pan or Mysteries by him next, but a few other authors are calling my name currently
Thanks, Alex! I haven’t read Pan yet, but I did read Mysteries and I really couldn’t stand Nagel. I do wonder if I’d feel differently about it now, though, because it’s been a long time since I read it. The Wanderer is another Hamsun I’ve been meaning to get to at some point. Apparently, instead of reading his books in any sensible order, I just keep circling around them.