Post by zaffra on Oct 13, 2004 15:40:40 GMT
Independent People - Haldor Laxness
This isn't really LowCulture, it won the '95 Noble prize for literature, but I'll tell you about it anyway.
In fact first I should tell you where I'm coming from. I had/have a bit of an Iceland obsession, I don't know why. I read the Saga's and visited the country a few years back, it was life changing for me although it's hard to explain why.
Laxness died in '98 aged 96, this book was first published in icelandic in the early '50's.
Set in a farming community pre WWI this tells of the harsh lives to be made on the land, specifically that of a farm called Summerhouses and a farmer called Bjartur. As if things aren't already bad enough the farm is also cursed.
Bjartur is a wonderful Icelandic character, a peasant and a poet, a stubborn man whose independence is more important to him than his wife and family.
Childeren are born and wives die, WWI bring great prosperity but true independence is never found. The novel is bleak, but I laughed a lot as well.
Laxness's style might seem rather old fashioned, but the tale is epic and moving without being sentimental. It's not an easy read, and not pop culture but a rewarding read.
Anie Proulx calls it one of her top 10 books of all time and Fay Weldon chose it as her book of the century.
A++
If you have an interest in sheep it helps!