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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Written in 1948, The Atom Station is a beautiful and deceptively simple picture of life in Iceland for a rural girl moving to the city of Reykjavik. It’s also about so much more. There is a uniquely Icelandic perspective of American domination and exploitation following WW2, as the US works in secret to establish a base on the island, effectively marking the country as a target for nuclear war.
There is also a deeper exploration about wealth and attainment and industrial progress, which the author rather effectively argues is a corrupting and ultimately empty pursuit. The wealthy bourgeoise are shown as vapid, bored and sadistic, which when you look at the wealthy bourgeoise of today and probably all of history, he’s not wrong in the slightest.
All this to say, this little book packs a punch well beyond its stature. The writing is moving and poetic, the characters odd but intriguing, and the hero is someone relatable and someone you can’t help but root for. In all the sadness of the book, there’s still a belief in and hope for those people who fight to keep their spirit alive in the face wars and the pursuit of wealth.
There is also a deeper exploration about wealth and attainment and industrial progress, which the author rather effectively argues is a corrupting and ultimately empty pursuit. The wealthy bourgeoise are shown as vapid, bored and sadistic, which when you look at the wealthy bourgeoise of today and probably all of history, he’s not wrong in the slightest.
All this to say, this little book packs a punch well beyond its stature. The writing is moving and poetic, the characters odd but intriguing, and the hero is someone relatable and someone you can’t help but root for. In all the sadness of the book, there’s still a belief in and hope for those people who fight to keep their spirit alive in the face wars and the pursuit of wealth.
A strange novel. Dated, pretentious language, and occasionally hard to follow. Too many characters had annoying nicknames. And the American nuclear base I had hoped to read all about was more of a vague background presence. Nonetheless, an interesting portrait of late-1940s Icelandic society with ahead-of-its-time feminist themes.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“I was taught never to believe a single word which is written in the papers, and nothing except what is written in the Icelandic sagas,” I replied.”
This book is undoubtedly clever and well-written, providing insights into Iceland’s history but I felt like I never really got the jokes which may be because I’m not Icelandic or don’t know enough about the country’s history.
If you are looking for books to read about Iceland - I preferred the style and tone of Miss Iceland to Atom Station.
This book is undoubtedly clever and well-written, providing insights into Iceland’s history but I felt like I never really got the jokes which may be because I’m not Icelandic or don’t know enough about the country’s history.
If you are looking for books to read about Iceland - I preferred the style and tone of Miss Iceland to Atom Station.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes