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Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness's masterpiece, 'Independent People', stands as a towering achievement in Icelandic literature. This gripping saga, first published in 1946, transports readers to the harsh, windswept landscapes of rural Iceland, where it weaves an unforgettable tale of human resilience and stubborn determination.
At the heart of this epic narrative is Bjartus, a tenacious sheep farmer hell-bent on carving out a living from an unforgiving plot of land. His unyielding quest for financial autonomy pits him against the merciless elements, his own family, and ultimately, himself. The only chink in Bjartus's armour is Asta Solillja, the child he raises as his daughter, whose presence gradually softens his hardened heart.
As Asta Solillja blossoms into a young woman yearning for independence, Bjartus's unwavering obstinacy threatens to drive an irreparable wedge between them. Laxness, often hailed as the 'Tolstoy of the North', paints a vivid portrait of the ethereal Icelandic terrain and one man's relentless struggle for self-sufficiency.
This profound exploration of the human condition has garnered widespread acclaim, with the New York Review of Books declaring it potentially 'the book of your life'. Jonathan Franzen confessed in The Guardian that he 'defies anyone to finish Halldór Laxness's Independent People without wetting the pages with tears', while Hallgrímur Helgason boldly proclaimed it 'the greatest Icelandic novel and surely one of the best books of the 20th century'.
Immerse yourself in this haunting, humane epic that continues to captivate readers with its timeless themes and unforgettable characters.
Book ISBN: | 9780099527121 |
Book Author: | Halldor Laxness |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | Vintage Classics |
Book Publisher: | Vintage Publishing |
Book Dimensions: | 197 x 130 x 34 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2008-03-07 |
Book Pagination: | 576 pages |
Book Weight: | 396g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’