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lisamf's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
amysutton's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read a book like this in a while. There wasn't a lot of plot and what plot was introduced wasn't really resolved and jumped around a ton... but I felt immersed in the story and the characters. Sjon creates images and scenery that seems real with just a few words. Most of what happened began in reality and ended in dream-like allegory areas, so it was more of an experience than a story. It was definitely interesting and immersive. The only thing that really annoyed me was the way that the narrators changed with no indication that they were changing, so I'd start reading a new chapter or section and be really confused for the first several paragraphs.
I picked this up at the Strand Books cart in Central Park to read on the train and I can't say that I would have had the patience or attention to finish this in other circumstances, so I'm glad that I came across it when I did.
I picked this up at the Strand Books cart in Central Park to read on the train and I can't say that I would have had the patience or attention to finish this in other circumstances, so I'm glad that I came across it when I did.
12roxy's review against another edition
4.0
Weird and wonderful, as so many good things are. Combines science, magic, medicine, Scandinavian lore, and poetry, possibly inspiring a return to edda-fication for me.
ronanmcd's review against another edition
Ah jeez, do I really like this book? I dunno. It has its moments but it mostly reads like a flat Eco.
I like the way the page margins ape the handwritten scripts the protagonist spends his days filling. But I don't like how this formatting ruins the convention of recorded speech.
I like how the language is largely unadorned, beaten into non descriptive toughness and suggests items itself. I like how the language gets more descriptive and flowery when the protagonist comes to Denmark and is faced with civilisation.
I like how he is a man who looks into the world too try and see its workings. I like that his downfall is this curiosity which frightens others.
I like the poetic pacing.
There's a lot to like, but it's hard to get past that flatness.
I like the way the page margins ape the handwritten scripts the protagonist spends his days filling. But I don't like how this formatting ruins the convention of recorded speech.
I like how the language is largely unadorned, beaten into non descriptive toughness and suggests items itself. I like how the language gets more descriptive and flowery when the protagonist comes to Denmark and is faced with civilisation.
I like how he is a man who looks into the world too try and see its workings. I like that his downfall is this curiosity which frightens others.
I like the poetic pacing.
There's a lot to like, but it's hard to get past that flatness.
verosevreads_'s review against another edition
4.0
This novel depicts, welcomingly so, a dirty, rough and violent era, far from the perfect aesthetics that is shown in many novels set in the seventeenth century. It is a mystical, strange, lyrical read. The translation made by Victoria Cribb was beautifully written and organically executed. It sweeps the reader right from the start, the story-telling is truly captivating. I loved the descriptive insertions regarding animals, herbal medicine and minerals with magical properties through out the novel. It is at times comical, at times brittle. It mixes the historical with surrealism.
It would've been interesting to read more about Sigga. With the small glimpse we read about her, she seemed like a fascinating character.
As an introduction to Icelandic literature, I was truly impressed.
It would've been interesting to read more about Sigga. With the small glimpse we read about her, she seemed like a fascinating character.
As an introduction to Icelandic literature, I was truly impressed.
thereaderintherye's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
theknepper's review against another edition
3.0
I don't really know what to think of this book. It was different than just about anything else I've ever read, but beautifully written. Lyrical and captivating for sure. The story is of Jónas Pálmason. Jónas has been exiled for dissidence and is reminiscing about important events in his life. It's told almost through his stream of consciousness as he reflects on his memories and describes his barren island home. I got so wrapped up in his ruminations that I lost track of what was happening in the here and now. It made the book a bit confusing and led to some shocks as I was pulled back to the present early 17th century. For me, the book took a hard turn that caught me by surprise. I don't think I was in the right mood. Had I read this at a different place and time I probably would have liked it better. Either way, though, the writing was lovely and I couldn't help but get pulled in to this epic tale.
atthezenith's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
stinajohanns's review against another edition
3.0
Tilfinning mín gagnvart þessari bók er svolítið svipuð og gagnvart Lifandi lífslæk eftir Bergsvein Birgisson — höfundur hefur frábært vald á tungumálinu, nær að skrifa mjög sannfærandi texta miðað við þann tíma sem miðað er við og þarna má finna áhugaverðar persónur en sagan höfðar samt ekki til mín. Það voru reyndar staðir í bókinni þar sem ég datt alveg inn í hana, eins og þegar skrifað var um Baskamorðin, en svo datt ég út aftur. Ég datt út aftur og aftur og það er aldrei gott. Kannski þarf ég bara að finna rétta skapið og réttu aðstæðurnar og prófa aftur því ég hef á tilfinningunni að þarna sé miklu meira en það sem ég áttaði mig á. Ég næ bara ekki að tengja.