The Fishermen (Danish: Fiskerne) is a 1928 Danish novel by Hans Kirk, based on the true story of the conflict between the residents of the town of Gjøl and a group of fishermen who moved there from the North Sea coast.
The novel is based on a true story, and concerns the conflict between the newcomers, who observe a stricter form of Christian faith, and the existing residents. Kirk had a connection to the area through his father, and wrote the book while living at the old inn in the town, Gjøl Kro.[1] It caused consternation in the town, but has sold more than 400,000 copies,[1] more than any other books in Denmark except the Bible and the hymn book.[2] It was Kirk's first novel, and in 1931 the Danish parliament awarded him an artist's stipend based on it.[2]
The novel was adapted for radio in 1935, with Kirk as co-writer, and for television as a six-hour miniseries by DR in 1977 (rebroadcast in 1987).[1] [2]