Reviews

I loved how after reading it, I googled the history of the Icelandic slaves during the time of the Ottoman Empire. And how Algérie is described. I felt like I was there with them beside a fountain and the air is filled with roses scents. Also, the folktales were

staceyinthesticks's review

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challenging emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

thelibraryofklee's review

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5.0

"Love and suffering, as you may recall from your catechism, are what all worlds are founded upon."

Adjusted Goodreads synopsis:
In 1627 Barbary pirates raided the coast of Iceland and abducted some 400 of its people, including 250 from a tiny island off the mainland. Among the captives sold into slavery in Algiers were the island pastor, his wife and their three children. Although the raid itself is well documented, little is known about what happened to the women and children afterwards. It of course is another example of women's stories left in the margins of history.
In this brilliant reimagining, Magnusson gives a voice to Ásta, the pastor's wife. Enslaved in an alien Arab culture Ásta meets the loss of both her freedom and her children with the one thing she has brought from home: the stories in her head. Steeped in the sagas and folk tales of her northern homeland, she finds herself experiencing not just the separations and agonies of captivity, but the reassessments that come in any age when intelligent eyes are opened to other lives, other cultures and other kinds of love.

This book captures the beauty and power of stories and the complexity of slave trade narratives. Nothing is ever black and white, and this book challenges the idea of "evil slave traders" - don't get me wrong, there were def a few, but there were plenty of people who had to make hard decisions in horrible situations. This emotive narrative captures the power of enduring love and be prepared to cry. So if you want a piece of spectacularly heart breaking feminist historical fiction, this is for you.

"As Ásta says when one of them came to put up the tent, how can evil smile? It was a pleasant smile. That’s what had bothered Ólafur. He has not been able to dismiss the thought that a black heart producing a kind smile might, in all fairness, tend to a shade of blackness somewhat less pitch."

xandrarama's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I can recognise the flaws other readers have identified but none of them detracted from my engagement with and enjoyment of this book. Educational and emotionally affecting. Off now to buy more from this author.

krobart's review against another edition

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3.0

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2020/03/17/review-1484-the-sealwomans-gift/

katys_books's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

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