Book Review
Nov. 19th, 2008 09:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariThe Fish Can Sing
by Halldor Laxness
Laxness is an Novel prize-winning Icelandic author from the earlier part of the 20th century. I was inspired to read one of his novels because I listened to so much Sigur Ros during my walks at the reservoir while I was unemployed. This novel covers the childhood and adolescence of Alfgrim, an orphan raised by adoptive grandparents on the outskirts of Reykjavik at the turn of the century. Alfgrim grows up at Brekkukot, his grandparents' rustic fishing cottage, in a village of somewhat eccentric people. As Alfgrim matures, he becomes increasingly fascinated with Gardar Holm, a man who grew up in Alfgrim's village and went on to become a famous singer. Holm is a very mysterious man - very few of the locals have ever heard him sing and Alfgrim's interactions with Gardar are enigmatic.
The book is structured as a series of vignettes and episodes, and is concerned more with atmosphere and character than with plot. However, while on the surface the book often seemed like it should be quite dull, I found it incredibly absorbing. Laxness' quite prose and subtle humor completely drew me in.
by Halldor Laxness
Laxness is an Novel prize-winning Icelandic author from the earlier part of the 20th century. I was inspired to read one of his novels because I listened to so much Sigur Ros during my walks at the reservoir while I was unemployed. This novel covers the childhood and adolescence of Alfgrim, an orphan raised by adoptive grandparents on the outskirts of Reykjavik at the turn of the century. Alfgrim grows up at Brekkukot, his grandparents' rustic fishing cottage, in a village of somewhat eccentric people. As Alfgrim matures, he becomes increasingly fascinated with Gardar Holm, a man who grew up in Alfgrim's village and went on to become a famous singer. Holm is a very mysterious man - very few of the locals have ever heard him sing and Alfgrim's interactions with Gardar are enigmatic.
The book is structured as a series of vignettes and episodes, and is concerned more with atmosphere and character than with plot. However, while on the surface the book often seemed like it should be quite dull, I found it incredibly absorbing. Laxness' quite prose and subtle humor completely drew me in.
