"Growth of the Soil" is a novel that follows the life of a man who leaves his nomadic lifestyle to become a pioneer farmer in the Norwegian wilderness. The narrative traces his journey from solitude to building a family and a thriving farm, showcasing his deep connection with the land and the cyclical nature of life. The book also explores the tension between traditional rural life and modernity, as external forces such as industrialization and societal change begin to impact the protagonist's simple existence.