Books from Norway: A compelling saga of those Norwegian-Americans who never went home again

Jon Magnus, the author, at the smallholding in Tørdal, Norway, the home that his great-uncle left in 1904.

Jon Magnus, author and a former journalist and correspondent for Norwegian daily VG, began searching for answers. What had happened to his great-uncle who left home in Norway in 1904 and who wasn’t heard from for 47 years?

Books from Norway now provides you with English-language information about his non-fiction book The Letter from Minnesota – In the Shadow of the American Dream. You can also download and read the preface of the book.

Jon's story starts at the Telemark Canal waterway and goes to North-Dakota, Minnesota and finally California. We meet Eivind and Aaste – Edwin and Esther in their new country – just two among a million Norwegian immigrants pursuing happiness in North-America during the years from 1840 to 1940.

It's a vibrant portrait of individuals and their surroundings and a compelling saga of those Norwegian-Americans who never went home again.

Books from Norway is managed by NORLA – Norwegian Literature Abroad. Check it out!

The book Brevet fra Minnesota (Norwegian language) is published by Maana forlag, Oslo. Do you have any questions, please contact the publisher at post@maanaforlag.no or visit our website maanaforlag.no.

The author Jon Magnus at home in Drøbak, Norway.