BENONI

"There is a forest between the sea and Benoni's house. It is not Benoni's forest, but a common, a large mixed forest of conifers, birch and aspen. At a certain time in the summer people from two parishes come together here and ravage and chop to their heart's content; when they are finished and have brought the wood home, the forest lies quiet again for the rest of the year and animals and birds have perfect peace again. Now and then a patch comes from one parish to another and walks through the forest; besides this, only Benoni has his way here summer and winter. And Benoni walks in dry weather and wet weather as he pleases, he is a strong and steadfast fellow who is not afraid of obstacles."

1908

Benoni (1908) is one of Hamsun's most entertaining and humorous novels.

The action takes place at the trading post of Sirilund (the same as in Pan ), but is set around the turn of the century. The main character Benoni Hartvigsen goes from being a fisherman and postman to a businessman and takes on many of the comical traits of an upstart. He woos Rosa, the priest's daughter, and the love story between Rosa and Benoni is central to the novel.

But Benoni also provides an interesting picture of the social conditions in Sirilund, where Mack rules with a brutal but charming hand. His exploitation of the local young girls nevertheless arouses no revolt in the strictly hierarchically ordered society.

The depiction of the two old men, Fredrik Mensa and Mons, is perhaps Hamsun's most repulsive depiction of old age.

"Mrs. hours and the like, they are now so diverse."