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coyote_trickster_goddess's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting story and style of storytelling. Some truly beautiful imagery. Curious if a different translation would convey more of the poetry in the writing.
raenyreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I honestly didn't think this book was really going to be my thing, but I wanted to give it a try anyway, and I'm really glad I did. The way the book is written gets you straight into the story with short chapters to start. Then, when the chapters got longer, I was invested in the story and mysteries enough for it to keep me going. The ending had me thinking about the book for days afterwards as the magical realism elements leave it up to you to decide what happened.
I was pleasantly surprised by the themes of the book, which included acceptance and empathy, but also maybe a bit of revenge. Learning more about Abba and how her life interweaves with the story was a highlight.
I will likely try more of the authors work in the future. It was missing a bit of a wow factor that would make it a five-star book, but otherwise, it's a great read. I'd recommend it if it sounds like something you'd be interested in!
I was pleasantly surprised by the themes of the book, which included acceptance and empathy, but also maybe a bit of revenge. Learning more about Abba and how her life interweaves with the story was a highlight.
I will likely try more of the authors work in the future. It was missing a bit of a wow factor that would make it a five-star book, but otherwise, it's a great read. I'd recommend it if it sounds like something you'd be interested in!
drjreads's review against another edition
3.0
Started reading this while I was in Iceland and it was cool to envision where the scenes were taking place as I took in the breathtaking scenery and incredible natural wonders, but the book did not fully work for me. It felt inspired by Jack London, especially "To Build a Fire" and the magical realism didn't fully land. I also found the structure of the book to be inconsistent, and the way it all supposedly connected in the end was less than satisfactory. Not awful, but not a book that makes me want to pick up anything else by Sjón in the future.
luciajane's review against another edition
4.0
Quote:
“The weather was mild, with light cloud and a gentle southerly breeze; the winter sun floated over the wilderness, fat and red as the yolk of a raven’s egg. This was the calm that had ridden on the wings of yesterday’s storm.”
“The weather was mild, with light cloud and a gentle southerly breeze; the winter sun floated over the wilderness, fat and red as the yolk of a raven’s egg. This was the calm that had ridden on the wings of yesterday’s storm.”
katiefree's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing. The writing style was really poetic, but there wasn't much plot. I was thinking it would be like a kind of fairy tale, but that was false advertising. There were two parallel stories, one of a man hunting a fox and getting trapped in an avalanche, and the other of a woman with Down syndrome who was sold into slavery as a child. The description is more exciting than the whole book, and the author sloppily ties the two stories together in the last chapter.
For other books set in Iceland, I'd recommend [book:The Sagas of Icelanders|102534], [book:The Draining Lake|498406], or [book:Burial Rites|17333319].
For other books set in Iceland, I'd recommend [book:The Sagas of Icelanders|102534], [book:The Draining Lake|498406], or [book:Burial Rites|17333319].
anw115's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
vlcorton's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mossiestfrog's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Possibly hampered greatly by the translation, but this story lacks a decent through line. It was a slog to get through despite being so short and the end was wholly unsatisfying.
eviesmusings's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautifully poetic, a glimpse of a moment in time and space told through two narrative lines that are later interwoven.
It blends reality with surrealism, it's moving and it leaves you wanting more of its magical feel.
It blends reality with surrealism, it's moving and it leaves you wanting more of its magical feel.