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ostatnieslowoo's review against another edition
4.0
3,75 ⭐
To było moje pierwsze spotkanie z islandzką literaturą i jestem bardzo pozytywnie zaskoczona. Historia była bardzo wciągająca, sama intryga kryminalna polega na śledztwie prowadzonym przez prawniczkę Thorę aby doprowadzić do kasacji procesu. Podobało mi się to, że cała fabuła kręciła się wokół osób niepełnosprawnych i porusza problem odrzucenia społecznego i nierównego traktowania ich wobec prawa. Ja wkręciłam się bez końca. Nie czyta się jej w zawrotnym tempie, ale od samego początku byłam ciekawa jak to się skończy. Moja ocena byłaby o wiele wyższa gdyby nie wątek paranormalny, który niby był wyjaśniony, po czym na samym końcu wrócił jak bumerang i nie do końca mi się to podobało.
To było moje pierwsze spotkanie z islandzką literaturą i jestem bardzo pozytywnie zaskoczona. Historia była bardzo wciągająca, sama intryga kryminalna polega na śledztwie prowadzonym przez prawniczkę Thorę aby doprowadzić do kasacji procesu. Podobało mi się to, że cała fabuła kręciła się wokół osób niepełnosprawnych i porusza problem odrzucenia społecznego i nierównego traktowania ich wobec prawa. Ja wkręciłam się bez końca. Nie czyta się jej w zawrotnym tempie, ale od samego początku byłam ciekawa jak to się skończy. Moja ocena byłaby o wiele wyższa gdyby nie wątek paranormalny, który niby był wyjaśniony, po czym na samym końcu wrócił jak bumerang i nie do końca mi się to podobało.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
Jakob was born with Down's Syndrome and lived most of his life with his mother but as he grew towards adulthood the expense and difficulty of caring for Jakob meant that the Icelandic state decided he should move to a facility for disabled people. Jakob resented this and one night the home burnt down, killing all the residents except Jakob. Convicted of murder Jakob has been placed in a secure unit. However one man believes he is innocent, the only problem is that he is a psychopath. Jakob's case is taken on by Thora Gudmundsdottir, a lawyer with a chaotic life but a passion for the truth. As she peels away the layers surrounding the case it is clear that there are people with much to hide.
This book was widely acclaimed as one of the best crime novels of last year and, whilst I wouldn't regard it that highly, it is a really good read. There is a sense of time and place but rather than focusing on Iceland's landscape and beauty, this novel uses the Icelandic banking crash to influence approaches and decisions and is better because of that. The attitude of the public, and many in authority, to the special needs of the home's residents are highlighted. Whilst it would be easy for Sigurdardottir to focus on the psychopathic nature of one of her characters, the approach is gently restrained.
This book was widely acclaimed as one of the best crime novels of last year and, whilst I wouldn't regard it that highly, it is a really good read. There is a sense of time and place but rather than focusing on Iceland's landscape and beauty, this novel uses the Icelandic banking crash to influence approaches and decisions and is better because of that. The attitude of the public, and many in authority, to the special needs of the home's residents are highlighted. Whilst it would be easy for Sigurdardottir to focus on the psychopathic nature of one of her characters, the approach is gently restrained.
elizamakepeace's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
kamclay's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Yrsa always has the craziest endings that you never saw coming! So much info in the last 2-3 chapters.
snoutling's review against another edition
3.0
This is more of a 3.5 rating. Enthralling in most parts, but a bit long-winded for me. I liked how the story wasn't overly violent or graphic, and I also enjoyed the female lead character - except when she mentioned getting a brazilian wax to surprise her partner.
upperbison705's review against another edition
DNF @ 35% for questionable (aka non-existent) consent
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
5th in this enjoyable Icelandic series finds our heroine lawyer Thora drawn into the potential wrongful conviction of a young man with downs for arson and murder by a particularly nasty piece of work a, a convict in the same prison. A really well plotted story with Thora treading on lots of toes whilst juggling her increasingly complicated home life. Can't wait to read book 6.
fictionfan's review against another edition
5.0
Guilty until proven innocent…
When a residential unit for disabled people is burned down, all the residents are killed bar one. Jakob has Downs Syndrome and a grievance – he never wanted to be placed in the unit and he doesn’t like it there. It seems to be an open and shut case but, because of his disability, Jakob is sent to a secure psychiatric hospital rather than prison and it looks like he’ll stay there for life. At least, until one of the other inmates asks lawyer Thóra Gudmundsdóttir to try to get the case reopened…
This is a very well written entry into the field of Nordic crime – Iceland, on this occasion – and the translation by Philip Roughton is first-rate. Apparently this is the fifth in the series, but it’s the first I’ve read. The characterisation throughout the novel is particularly strong and Thóra herself is a likeable lead, strong and capable but with a soft centre. As well as dealing with the case, she’s having to juggle home life as her parents move in on a temporary basis to a house already filled with Thóra’s children, grandchild and partner, Matthew.
In the course of her investigation, Thóra has to deal with people with a variety of severe disabilities. Sigurdardóttir handles this well, managing to convey the difficulties they face without becoming overly mawkish or sentimental. Thóra’s dealings with the relatives of the victims show her sensitivity, particularly when dealing with Jakob’s mother. And her aversion to Jósteinn, the psychopathic child abuser who has hired her, grows steadily as she wonders what his motivation is for wanting to help Jakob. A sub-plot concerning a possible haunting is cut in to short sections between chapters and Sigurdardóttir’s excellent writing makes this part of the story chillingly atmospheric and decidedly creepy. There’s also a real sense of place in the novel, as the culture, weather and recent economic woes of Iceland all play their part.
Overall, a very satisfying read that, together with Läckberg’s The Stranger, has reawakened my enthusiasm for Nordic crime. Highly recommended, and I look forward to backtracking through the rest of the series.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
When a residential unit for disabled people is burned down, all the residents are killed bar one. Jakob has Downs Syndrome and a grievance – he never wanted to be placed in the unit and he doesn’t like it there. It seems to be an open and shut case but, because of his disability, Jakob is sent to a secure psychiatric hospital rather than prison and it looks like he’ll stay there for life. At least, until one of the other inmates asks lawyer Thóra Gudmundsdóttir to try to get the case reopened…
This is a very well written entry into the field of Nordic crime – Iceland, on this occasion – and the translation by Philip Roughton is first-rate. Apparently this is the fifth in the series, but it’s the first I’ve read. The characterisation throughout the novel is particularly strong and Thóra herself is a likeable lead, strong and capable but with a soft centre. As well as dealing with the case, she’s having to juggle home life as her parents move in on a temporary basis to a house already filled with Thóra’s children, grandchild and partner, Matthew.
In the course of her investigation, Thóra has to deal with people with a variety of severe disabilities. Sigurdardóttir handles this well, managing to convey the difficulties they face without becoming overly mawkish or sentimental. Thóra’s dealings with the relatives of the victims show her sensitivity, particularly when dealing with Jakob’s mother. And her aversion to Jósteinn, the psychopathic child abuser who has hired her, grows steadily as she wonders what his motivation is for wanting to help Jakob. A sub-plot concerning a possible haunting is cut in to short sections between chapters and Sigurdardóttir’s excellent writing makes this part of the story chillingly atmospheric and decidedly creepy. There’s also a real sense of place in the novel, as the culture, weather and recent economic woes of Iceland all play their part.
Overall, a very satisfying read that, together with Läckberg’s The Stranger, has reawakened my enthusiasm for Nordic crime. Highly recommended, and I look forward to backtracking through the rest of the series.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
colinrafferty's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cclaytonr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0