Dr. Maren Johnson, Luther College’s Associate Professor of Nordic Studies and Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies Director, facilitates a monthly bokprat, discussing Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. Join us online in April for a discussion of Muus vs. Muus with author Kari Lie Dorer from St. Olaf.

Set in 1880s Minnesota, Muus vs. Muus explores a landmark lawsuit that ignited debates on faith, family, and cultural identity within a Norwegian immigrant community. Newly translated from its original Norwegian edition, this gripping narrative recounts the separation of Oline and Pastor Bernt Muus, a prominent Lutheran couple. Oline, a mother and pastor’s wife, sued her husband to reclaim her inheritance, challenging both traditional Norwegian Synod expectations and gender norms in America, where women’s rights were advancing. Meanwhile, Bernt, known for his passionate sermons and rigid confidence, embodied the tensions between old-world values and American law. Beyond their personal conflict, the book contextualizes Norwegian immigration, Lutheran divisions, and the broader struggle of assimilation, offering a vivid portrait of a changing society.

Registration for this free class is required. Sign up here.