A Hardy Norseman

"A Hardy Norseman" by Edna Lyall is a story about two English siblings, Roy and Cecil Boniface, going on a trip to Norway to find some changes in their lives. Cecil feels like something is missing in her life, and that feeling guides the story. A big part of the story is the relationship between the siblings and the Norwegian man named Frithiof Falck. When they meet Frithiof, that meet suggests a hopeful romance mixed with the beauty of Norwegian culture and personal growth. When their ship docks in Bergen, Cecil wants to get away from the other English tourists to experience the real Norway by herself. Roy's personality comes out as he teases Cecil for criticizing everything, while she thinks about how unhappy she is with her life back on their home land. Then, they meet Frithiof, and his energy sparks Cecil's interest, which makes her think about the possibility of improving herself. All of this sets the scene for a story about love and finding yourself. The novel is a window into the cultural differences of the time, set against romance and personal searching.