Eteenpäin! Kertomus Mereltä

A novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds in a coastal Norwegian setting, revolving around the lives of the villagers who engage in fishing, particularly targeting the elusive herring. The narrative focuses on the main character, Rejer, a young man inheriting his family's legacy at Hammernäs, as he navigates the challenges and expectations of his lineage amidst the transformative tide of fortune. At the start of the novel, the village is abuzz with rumors of a mysterious, giant fish, suggested to be the key to great wealth in the fishing community. The townspeople, fueled by excitement, consider selling off possessions and borrowing money to prepare for the hunt for herring, a topic of conversation that dominates the local psyche. After the death of old Jan Juhl, who was the village's staunch figure of authority, the community faces uncertainty, particularly as Rejer grapples with the weight of his new responsibilities and the threat of losing his family's estate. As he prepares to venture into the perilous waters for the edge of fortune, the narrative sets the stage for themes of ambition, legacy, and the harshness of life at sea.