A review by verosevreads_
From the Mouth of the Whale by Sjón

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.