I can’t swear to it, but I believe this may be my first book by Laxness. Let’s just say it won’t be my last. What a stunning book—and what a wonderful, wonderful translation by J.A. Thompson—who never translated another thing. (I spent some time reading articles online about the translation because I was curious to see if there was a more recent one into English. There isn't, and it's not a surprise because there seems to be a critical consensus that it’s a masterpiece of translation.) ( )

What a slog, so happy to be done. Probably would have given up if I wasn’t going to Iceland next month. ( )

In this novel Halldor Laxness narrates the struggle with modernity of an Icelandic sheep farmer while creating in his protagnist, Bjartur of Summerhouses, a heroic character whose life mirrors the growth of Iceland itself as it enters the twentieth century.

In his attempt to live freely, poor sheep farmer Bjartur of Summerhouses living in rural Iceland faces a life of misery and a never-ending battle for existence. Bjartur always puts forth a lot of effort, yet he is beholden to others, endures severe treatment, and is forced to work in appalling conditions. He finally accumulates sufficient funds to purchase some land in a distant region of Iceland, where he starts a new life as a sheep farmer. He weds a local woman named Rosa, who has a daughter named Asta Sollija who, as Bjartur soon learns, is the offspring of a different man. Rosa passes away after delivery, but Bjartur raises the infant as his daughter and adores her.

“It's a useful habit never to believe more than half of what people tell you, and not to concern yourself with the rest. Rather keep your mind free and your path your own.”

Bjartur finally gets remarried, has three boys, and carries on with his menial existence. He endures suffering as he battles the land; he loses one son when he immigrates to America, another dies, and he rejects his daughter and exiles her from Summerhouses when she gets pregnant at the age of 15. Despite his struggles, Bjartur perseveres and manages to live freely until Summerhouses are no longer able to support him. Then, he decides to stop raising sheep and obtain a loan for summerhouses. He makes amends with his daughter, moves farther north, and resumes his hard life.

“Presently the smell of coffee began to fill the room. This was morning’s hallowed moment. In such a fragrance the perversity of the world is forgotten, and the soul is inspired with faith in the future…”

This summary doesn't do Bjartur's story justice because his novel also combines the supernatural with the natural struggle for survival, shows how man is constantly at odds with nature, and most importantly, considers the effects of one man's desire for independence on his life, his family, and the world around him. I've found that Laxness' lyrical prose and epic scope of narration compare well to those of Rolvaag's Giants in the Earth and Hamsun's Growth of the Soil. ( )

amazing ( )

Interesting novel of a conflict-ridden family. ( )