Reviews

Okay, first off I started reading this book one day a few weeks ago. Put it down and then didn't pick it back up until today. Because of that I can't say I fully remember everything that happened before.

I think the book was beautifully written although a bit confusing. But the story was not for me. I liked parts of it but overall felt like it jumped around and didn't have a clear purpose.

I did like the story with Abba, although it made me sad I thought it was interesting and I want to know more about her. I also liked the argument about electricity until.. well.. Yeah.

I don't know, I just didn't enjoy it as a story. Found it a little confusing and I didn't like the character that you started with. Towards the middle of the book I almost changed my mind and started to like it but by the end I went back to not liking it.

Just not for me I guess. Again, I think in some ways it was beautifully written. Poetic. But story wise I felt it was lacking and confusing.

Perhaps if I read it again all in one sitting with fewer distractions around me I might enjoy it more (or at least be less confused) but I just really didn't like it. This time around.

bipicus's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

bw_booth's review against another edition

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funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

broomgrass's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

I'm at the point in reading Icelandic books where I have trouble discerning what is sincere and what is parody (and what, of course, is in between, especially moment to moment). I do always appreciate the mix of realism with folklore, which the author does really well here.

cilie's review against another edition

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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? Yes

4.0

Så meget handling på så lidt plot og uden nogensinde at føles forjaget - det er godt gået.
Jeg kunne virkelig godt lide denne fortælling fra en flække i Island i 1883. Det non-linære narrativ fungerede rigtig godt og det samme gjorde de magiske elementer som læseren selv kan vurdere om er faktiske eller indbildte/metaforiske. Det eneste der ikke fungerede for mig var skiftene mellem datid og nutid - muligvis med vilje, men for mig forstyrrede det læserytmen

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