Although quick, easy, and entertaining to read, I have to confess the book went as far over my head as Caeneus’ stories went over Valdimar’s. I know the stories within the story were often referential (although The Guardian claims less so than Sjón’s other work). I know they borrow as much from the Eddas (which I have read) as from the Argonautica (alas for my 90s feminist education – I have only read the story of Medea). Wikipedia tells me that Caeneus was not on the Argo, so his inclusion in Sjon’s story must be a result of his transformations – from maid to warrior, and from warrior to bird (although some versions of his story have him sinking through the earth to Tartarus). All significant details I’m sure, but I can’t begin to figure out how Caeneus’ tales relate to the story told by Valdimar. As Jack Skellington says, “Fascinating. But what does it mean?”