AUGUST

"The polden is developing. There were a couple of good herring years and the common people flocked to this new place, Pauline at the kramboden did business well and steadily, she was skilled and found solutions, there was a spirit of trade in her."

1930

In August (1930), Edevart is reduced to a life-weary figure, and it is August's many inventions that drive the novel forward.

Polden has grown into a vibrant little town. Edevart's sister Pauline runs a shop and café, and August starts a bank and post office. He also builds a factory, which, however, remains without machinery. August's many ideas, which in Landstrykere often had their charm, now appear destructive. August himself resorts to lies and deception to get his projects carried out, and without intending to, August's modernization of Polden helps to destroy the livelihood of the small community.

August has ambitions to promote cultural and social criticism, but is embarrassed by its overt ideological message. However, the novel paints a good picture of the conflict between dream and reality.