A review by alliemco
Magma by Thora Hjörleifsdóttir

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

I picked up Magma by Thora Hjörleifsdóttir because I wanted to read something by an Icelandic author. It is certainly not an easy read. It tells, in short chapters, the story of an obsessive and ultimately destructive abusive relationship. It's the kind of book that pulls you in with its concise, sharp writing style but also frustrates you because you see smart young women struggling with their self-worth. Though the book is short, the chapters are like quick, intense snapshots, making the whole experience even more powerful. the author does a fantastic job of showcasing the realities of isolation and depression. she shows the devastating impact of abuse and how easily perpetrators can manipulate and coerce their victims, forcing them to modify their behavior and gaslighting them into self-blame.