Marc Linder deserves an award for his worthy translation of Hans Kirk's masterpiece. It's been a long wait for English-speaking readers to partake of this delicious turn-of-the century novel. It's about a pietistic sect in Denmark whose lives (and religion) are dramatically changed by a change in their economic status. Danish television broadcast a triumphant dramatization of the book in the seventies.

This book is distinguished in world literature for not having one central character, but a group of characters--all beautifully portrayed--whose fate fuels the action. The Fishermen and their families move from an area of Denmark where the fishing is poor to a more abundant environment. The effect on these highly religious people is both humorous and dramatic.

Kirk's writing displays the ironic wit only found in Danish literature. The scene where a pious fiance apologizes to his buxom ladylove for embracing her is both amusing and heart-rending. More anxiety-provoking is the story of a woman impregnated by her step-father; without success she tries to drown herself and her baby, and is afterwards married to a scoundrel.

This book is an excellent introduction to the flavor of Danish literature.