The main characters are Torbjørn Granlien and Synnøve Solbakken. Torbjørn lives at the Granlien farm, which is in the shade, and Synnøve Solbakken lives at the Solbakken farm, where there is always sunshine. In the Granlien family, the eldest sons in each generation are always named Torbjørn and Sæmund, in alternation. It always goes well for those named Sæmund and badly for those named Torbjørn. Torbjørn's father, Sæmund, tries to stifle Torbjørn's wild nature by being strict and having Torbjørn do hard physical work. The book is about Torbjørn's struggle to win Synnøve Solbakken, his journey from the shadow side to the sunny side. Synnøve is also in love with Torbjørn, but her parents, especially her mother, do not think that Torbjørn is good enough for her. Finally, Torbjørn proves that he has changed by forgiving a man that stabbed him, almost killing him. The story ends with Torbjørn finally at the Solbakken farm, looking back at the Granlien farm.[1][4]
^ abcUndheim, Inga Henriette (2019). "Synnøve Solbakken". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Retrieved May 16, 2020.
^D'Amico, Giuliano (2019). "Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson". Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Retrieved May 16, 2020.
^Grøndahl, Ingebrigt Christopher; Raknes, Ola (1923). Chapters in Norwegian Literature: Being the Substance of Public Lectures, Given at University College, London, During the Sessions 1918–1922. Copenhagen: Gyldendal. p. 162.
