Håkan Söderström

Håkan Söderström, the novel’s protagonist, was born in Sweden on his family’s isolated farm. After a severe famine, Håkan’s parents send him and his older brother Linus to live in New York City. However, along the way, Håkan becomes separated from Linus and accidentally boards a boat to California. His exact age is not stated, but at that point, he appears to be in his early teens. He decides to make his way east towards New York to be reunited with his brother. Håkan appears to value kindness, compassion, and moral rectitude. He also appears to have gigantism, meaning he continually grows at a rapid rate.

During Håkan ‘s journey, he encounters many challenges and obstacles. First, he is kidnapped by a local tyrant. He then escapes and is rescued by a traveling naturalist...