Hanna Pylväinen

A unique setting and time developed wonderfully by an author at the top of the game. The novel takes place in Scandinavia roughly two hundred years ago. It features the growing conflict between the newer Christian settlers and the indigenous Sami and their pagan beliefs..Pylvainen is a master of character development and that drives the plot and the struggles the people endure. I learned so much about Nordic culture of that time which was an added bonus. This is beautifully written sensitive portrayal of a way of life struggling to survive.… (more)

I listed to this book on Audible.

This novel is a love story and small town drama set in 19th century Scandinavia as the Christian settlers/missionaries mingle and clash with the reindeer-herding Sami people. It did take a bit of effort and re-listening to untangle the characters names which were foreign (to my ear). But once that challenge was overcome, I enjoyed the book. The writing style is peculiar and well-suited to the measured pace of the plot and the characters lives. Give it time and see how, as the plot thickens, some characters can't keep pace with it. I found it very interesting. Overall it was a nice read, very atmospheric and set in a time and place that I knew little about. Recommended for the patient reader.… (more)