Reviews

Librito extraño y maravilloso.
Un fábula que planea entre ficción y realidad, rescatando elementos Históricos y con una prosa que en realidad tiene mucho de poesía.
Es una historia muy peculiar y evocadora. Cuando terminas el libro sientes que acabas de salir de un sueño al que quieres volver a entrar.
***Está publicado en español también: https://www.nordicalibros.com/product/el-zorro-artico-skugga-baldur/

abigaillaurawriter's review against another edition

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4.0

It's the last day of July and I sat down and read "The Blue Fox" as a way to wrap up my reading month. I'm in the middle of about a dozen books and just wanted the sensation of hunkering down and reading a book in a sitting. I conferred with the other bookworm in the house - Josh - to discuss my best options and he suggested "The Blue Fox" because it's a slim book and one I wanted to read! I was very excited because it's also translated from Icelandic (LOVE translated literature). Well, I sat down, snuggled with my family, and read. It was perfect. And this book was an experience. I was immediately caught up in the story, though story doesn't really convey it. This book has been compared to a song . . . a composition, and after having read this work, I can say that it makes a lot of sense. There is a flow and a return to a theme (like a chorus). The tale slowly reveals itself as you read and it is a rollercoaster. You get bits and pieces until the end when they all fall into place. I have to say, it was one of the most interesting books I've read. To say it was "good" would do it a disservice because it was so deep and haunting and vivd.

It essentially follows two people: a priest/hunter named Baldur and a young man named Fridrik. The book begins with Baldur hunting a blue fox and continues throughout showing what happens on the hunt. Frederik takes in a young girl with Down Syndrome and the other part of the story follows them. One of the beautiful things about this book is its message about people Down Syndrome and how they are worthy. It's compelling and vividly portrayed by a stark contrast between those who value and distain the two people with Down Syndrome (at times it was very harsh, fyi, and at other times it was breathtakingly beautiful). Other than that, I feel like I can't say any more because it would tarnish the beauty of Sjón's writing. What I can say is that this book is definitely worth reading. And I highly recommend reading it in one sitting!

Summing it up: I highly recommend this incredible book. It was small, but powerful and I think that it's the kind of book that you will find something new on each reread!

nyne's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

haazex's review against another edition

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2.0

This short novel brings the reader to a magical realm of snow, a blue fox, and a stubborn hunter combined with a big dose of history and fate. It has so much potential, but I felt as if Sjon failed in his enterprise and ultimately produced a brief, pretentious novel that brings up so many interesting story lines in a draft format. Ultimately, the first part of the novel is the best one as we get to experience a silent hunt through the snow. The remainder of the story ties up historical connections and brings in the realm of fable. It has its golden moments, but it could have been so much more…..

2.5/5

laurenexploresbooks's review against another edition

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2.0

I wonder if my dislike of this book is due to translation impacts, content, or a combination. I found this work to be equal parts uncomfortable, confusing, and bizzare. The language utilized to describe Hafdis and Halfdan was dehumanizing and did not add to the story. I found the section with the hunter and blue fox to be more engaging, but overall the book ended in an unsatisfactory conclusion for me. I personally wish that I found this book to be more of a fairy tale and mystery rather than a disheartening story of cruelness within humanity.

isobel_a's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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