Three in Norway, by Two of Them

In Short

This book records an extended summer journey through the remote mountains and lakes of Norway, undertaken by three friends with a passion for fishing and hunting. It is less a formal travelogue and more a humorous diary of their daily struggles with erratic weather, inadequate equipment, and the persistent, biting mosquito. Written with wit and a keen sense of irony, it captures the spirit of adventurous young men attempting to maintain British comforts in the wild, finding humor in their own incompetence and the unpredictable nature of the rugged Norwegian landscape.

The Story

The narrative begins with three friends—the Skipper, Esau, and later, John—setting out for the Norwegian mountains, burdened with an absurd collection of fishing rods, guns, and specialized gear. They are fueled by a mix of genuine sporting ambition and a stubborn, often foolish, commitment to their own comfort. Their arrival in Norway is marked by chaotic logistics and a series of "misery" chapters, as they battle record-breaking rain and cold while living in a tent. They quickly learn that their romanticized vision of the wilderness involves a great deal of damp misery, hunger, and a constant, losing battle against swarms of large, aggressive mosquitoes.

As the summer progresses, the group moves from tent living to more substantial mountain huts (sæters) and encounters a few local characters and travelers. The Skipper, plagued by indecision, frequently struggles with the realization that his professional life requires him to return to England for a wedding, a conflict that creates an ongoing, humorous sub-plot. The narrative follows their various attempts to catch trout and stalk reindeer, the latter often ending in comical failure. The arrival of their friend John, who appears disheveled and exhausted after a long trek, provides a brief, celebratory respite before they continue their pursuit of game.

Midway through, the tone shifts slightly as the weather clears, and they experience brief moments of genuine appreciation for the stark, grand beauty of the Norwegian highlands. They spend their days fishing in glacial lakes, gathering local berries, and engaging in "Spartan" efforts to shoot ryper, a type of grouse. The group eventually receives permission from a local barrister to camp on his land, which offers them a sense of security against the harsh elements. Their days are punctuated by the invention of "camp comforts," such as a makeshift chandelier for the tent, and the consumption of their dwindling food supplies, culminating in odes to their final jars of marmalade.

As autumn approaches and the weather turns threatening once more, the group finds themselves forced to abandon their camp and seek more permanent shelter. The final chapters detail their departure from the wilderness, a journey fraught with the typical logistical blunders that characterized their arrival. They navigate rivers, manage transport with local guides, and reflect on their experiences with a mix of relief and nostalgia. The story concludes with their return to the comforts of civilization, marking the end of a summer defined by the very "facts" of their lives—wet clothes, bruised bodies, and the shared, absurd humor of their endurance.

How It Unfolds

The departure from the familiar The travelers set out from Christiania with a massive, unwieldy assortment of sporting equipment and a singular, humorous focus on packing essential luxury items like anchovy paste. Their initial train journey establishes the tone of the adventure: they are prepared for everything except the reality of travel, finding delight in small financial victories.

The struggle against the elements The middle portion of the book is defined by severe, unrelenting rain and the limitations of their canvas tent. They endure misery with ironic detachment, finding ways to remain cheerful while "wet through" and plagued by large mosquitoes.

The arrival of a companion The appearance of John, who arrives at the camp disheveled and hungry, injects a renewed energy into the group. His presence allows for shared stories, songs, and the strengthening of their bond through the shared experience of remote living.

The pursuit of the reindeer Much of the later narrative centers on their attempts to stalk reindeer in the high mountains, an activity that exposes their lack of skill compared to the local hunters. These efforts, while often resulting in failure, reveal their deep respect for the rugged terrain and the elusive nature of the sport.

The conclusion of the journey As the season turns and the weather becomes truly dangerous, the trio makes their way back toward civilization. The final chapters emphasize their transition from the wild to the comforts of a hotel, rounding off their experience with a sense of accomplishment and humor.

The People

The Skipper serves as the group’s pragmatic but deeply conflicted leader. He is responsible for the logistics and often finds himself torn between his professional obligations at home and his intense desire to remain in the mountains. His struggle with his own conscience provides much of the book’s dry humor. Esau is the smallest of the group and serves as a foil to the Skipper’s gravity. He is prone to grand, exaggerated stories about his fishing and shooting prowess, often taking himself far too seriously, which the others enjoy mocking. John appears later in the narrative, transforming from a polished London socialite into an unrecognizable, sunburnt outdoorsman. He brings a sense of camaraderie and levity to the group, particularly through his talent for song-writing and his role in their shared, often ridiculous, camp-life rituals. Together, they form a unit defined not by their sporting successes, but by their shared willingness to laugh at their own misfortunes.

In Its Own Voice

"A railway journey is not interesting anywhere, and less so in Norway than other countries, as there is not even the sensation of speed to divert your mind, and keep you excited in momentary expectation of a smash."

The authors reflect on the lack of thrill provided by the local train service during their initial journey.

"Hope deferred, with nothing but mosquitoes to distract one's thoughts, maketh the heart very sick indeed: and these were most annoyingly large mosquitoes; the finest brand that we have yet inspected, and with more strength of character than the ordinary kind."

This observation comes during a period of intense waiting, highlighting the particular brand of nuisance they faced in the wilderness.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an exploration of the "fact-based" life that the epigraph—a quote from Thomas Carlyle—advocates. It asks what happens when men leave the constraints of society to confront nature on its own terms. The book argues that true character is revealed not in grand gestures, but in the small, unglamorous moments of discomfort: the struggle to light a fire, the frustration of a missed shot, or the simple annoyance of a swinging candle. It is a meditation on the value of amateurism, where the "sport" is secondary to the camaraderie and the shared, absurd reality of the experience. It questions the necessity of comfort and finds that, in the face of nature, the human spirit is both resilient and inherently ridiculous.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy travel writing that prioritizes personality over landscape will find this book particularly rewarding. It reads like a long, rambling conversation with a friend who has a gift for self-deprecation and an eye for the absurd. The tone is consistently warm, honest, and remarkably unpretentious; there is no attempt to "sell" the reader on the majesty of Norway, but rather a frank admission of the shivering, hungry, and often frustrating reality of the trip.

However, a contemporary reader should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes of the late 19th century, particularly regarding hunting and the colonial-tinged observations of local people. The length and the occasional dense description of sporting equipment or weather patterns may test the patience of those seeking a fast-paced narrative. Yet, for those who appreciate the slow, steady build of a long-form diary, the book offers a distinct, immersive experience. What stays with the reader is not the specific trout caught or the mountains climbed, but the vivid, human portrait of three men finding joy in the middle of a wash-out, making their own fun with songs, puzzles, and a shared, unwavering commitment to their own ridiculousness.