An enthusiasm for Iceland grows to mythic proportions.
A Virginian on the edge of becoming a berserker.
Mar 6, 2008
Batty's Búðir
In honor of Batty's Búðir, some Icelandic graves we saw, not too far away.
6 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I stumbled upon your blog as I searched for information on Halldór Laxness. I just started reading Independent People, the first book I read of his works, and to my surprise find it rather a slow read. Anyway, your blog is a real find.
Hi Spectre, I couldn't read Independent People my first try...it is slow, and it just didn't strike me. If it's not what you're in the mood for right now, try Laxness' The Fish Can Sing...much more accessible, and lovely, and humorous. And it conveys time, place and character extremely well. Then go back to I.P. when the time is right. For me, the time wasn't right until I was in Iceland, driving through the countryside...
I actually ordered The Fish Can Sing, The Paradise Reclaimed and Under the Glacier yesterday. I think I will just press on and see how furter I can go with Independent People since I've started. Thank you for your kind advice!
Hmm. Well, Spectre and Munkay, I wrote another comment but fortunately it got lost in cyberspace. Fortunate because when I answered your question, Munkay, (about the red liquid) I was referring to the red jar of garlic chili sauce in YOUR post...not that I didn't find it odd that you didn't already know what it was. Seeing as how you're a cook and all. And you posted the picture. And it said on the bottle. ANYWAY...I don't know what is in THIS jar! You tell me. Actually, I wonder if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight, wondering about that... Spectre, I was trying to figure out if you are traveling/moving to Iceland, beginning a degree in Icelandic literature, or just trying to make my day. If there is another Laxness fan on the planet, well, it doesn't get any better than that. Batty (Flippism is the Key) will be thrilled too. Please share your impressions of the books!
I picked up Independent People after I read a short remark by Ann Patchett in a magazine. She listed it among her five most important books, and said it was “dismal, hysterical and stunning”; in addition to this, the fact that it was by a Nobel laureate who is largely unknown was enough to arouse my curiosity.
I take literature rather seriously, and I decided to investigate. So I bought the book. In the introduction of the copy I have, a Brad Leithauser shared that he wept when he finished the last chapter. And this makes me want to finish it even if it takes many evenings. I have myself a handful of books that provided that precious moment, and expect to add one more to it.
It was a slow start, but from Bjartur’s wedding things are easing off on me. So it’s a good sign. The reason that I ordered the other three is that when I’d read a few pages I instinctively knew that it was a good stuff despite slow reading, and thought that I should have them before they go out of print. For there have been a few books I regret I should’ve ordered when they first came out. But this time it looks like it may not happen any time soon. :-)
No, I’m not moving to Iceland nor planning to study Icelandic literature. If I didn’t have a family to support, it would be a worthwhile pursuit though. Thank you!
Sijie. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (student book club) Prest. Varney the Vampyre, or the Feast of Blood: DONE! all "868 double columned pages divided into 220 chapters" Dickens. Little Curiosity Shop
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6 comments:
I stumbled upon your blog as I searched for information on Halldór Laxness. I just started reading Independent People, the first book I read of his works, and to my surprise find it rather a slow read. Anyway, your blog is a real find.
Hi Spectre,
I couldn't read Independent People my first try...it is slow, and it just didn't strike me. If it's not what you're in the mood for right now, try Laxness' The Fish Can Sing...much more accessible, and lovely, and humorous. And it conveys time, place and character extremely well. Then go back to I.P. when the time is right. For me, the time wasn't right until I was in Iceland, driving through the countryside...
Um, what is the red liquid in the jar?
I actually ordered The Fish Can Sing, The Paradise Reclaimed and Under the Glacier yesterday. I think I will just press on and see how furter I can go with Independent People since I've started. Thank you for your kind advice!
Hmm. Well, Spectre and Munkay, I wrote another comment but fortunately it got lost in cyberspace. Fortunate because when I answered your question, Munkay, (about the red liquid) I was referring to the red jar of garlic chili sauce in YOUR post...not that I didn't find it odd that you didn't already know what it was. Seeing as how you're a cook and all. And you posted the picture. And it said on the bottle. ANYWAY...I don't know what is in THIS jar! You tell me. Actually, I wonder if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight, wondering about that...
Spectre, I was trying to figure out if you are traveling/moving to Iceland, beginning a degree in Icelandic literature, or just trying to make my day. If there is another Laxness fan on the planet, well, it doesn't get any better than that. Batty (Flippism is the Key) will be thrilled too. Please share your impressions of the books!
Rose,
I picked up Independent People after I read a short remark by Ann Patchett in a magazine. She listed it among her five most important books, and said it was “dismal, hysterical and stunning”; in addition to this, the fact that it was by a Nobel laureate who is largely unknown was enough to arouse my curiosity.
I take literature rather seriously, and I decided to investigate. So I bought the book. In the introduction of the copy I have, a Brad Leithauser shared that he wept when he finished the last chapter. And this makes me want to finish it even if it takes many evenings. I have myself a handful of books that provided that precious moment, and expect to add one more to it.
It was a slow start, but from Bjartur’s wedding things are easing off on me. So it’s a good sign. The reason that I ordered the other three is that when I’d read a few pages I instinctively knew that it was a good stuff despite slow reading, and thought that I should have them before they go out of print. For there have been a few books I regret I should’ve ordered when they first came out. But this time it looks like it may not happen any time soon. :-)
No, I’m not moving to Iceland nor planning to study Icelandic literature. If I didn’t have a family to support, it would be a worthwhile pursuit though. Thank you!
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