While in Reykjavik, Iceland this summer, I did what I do in pretty much every city or town I ever visit: I found a bookstore. And then I spent a lot of time in it. My daughters follow honestly in my footsteps and are passionate little readers as well. We've spent many contented hours in countless bookshops; they're most definitely one of our 'happy places'.
As the oldest and largest seller of books in Iceland, Eymundsson bookstores offer an extensive selection of reading materials, most, of course, in Icelandic. We visited the location in the city centre on Austurstræti 18, a marvel of seven levels in which to lose oneself. This store boasts an entire floor devoted to fulfilling all of your stationary needs, a cozy children's department in the basement, novels, magazines, gifts, music and DVDs, and a coffee chain called Te&Kaffi including an outdoor patio on one of the upper floors. Eymundsson and Te&Kaffi seem to have a marriage much like Chapters/Indigo enjoys with Starbucks in Canada.
Upon entering the shop, I was met with a large display of books by Halldór Laxness, Iceland's only Nobel laureate. Laxness won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955. I was excited to find copies of his works translated into a number of different languages, including English, and I decided upon 'Independent People', perhaps simply because of the picture on the cover featuring the ubiquitous sheep I was still determined to pet during out trip.
I love reading an author's work on his native soil. The experience lends the tale a dose of added authenticity and deeper meaning. This was most definitely the case as I read 'Independent People'. The harsh landscape painted by Laxness with compelling description acts upon the story as a secondary character might, and this character came to life for me as I read of sheep, mountains, sheep, valleys and hillsides, sheep, rivers and streams, and yet more sheep; yes, the tale is in large part about sheep. And the worms that plague them. But truly, Laxness writes about much more. So very much more. As the title suggests, the quest for independence lies at the core of Bjartur of Summerhouses, the story's main character, a proud, infuriatingly stubborn, hard-hearted, cantankerous crofter who works at all costs to avoid being in debt to anyone. This obsession drives him from his very foundation, fueling all that he does. Even the well-being of his family is willingly sacrificed. And yet there is respite from all that is grim and dour. Though the struggle of the peasantry for survival is essentially the vehicle driving the tale forward - and class and social standing are certainly themes as well - at the heart of the story are human relationships, the life-altering impacts we have on one another, and the unique condition of each human soul. These themes create moments of both heartbreak and redemption throughout the work as we watch Bjartur, his children, and all of the other perfectly crafted characters move through their lives stoically.
According to BBC Magazine, one in ten Icelanders will publish a book in their lifetime. This impressive statistic speaks to the country's passion for literacy and literature, surely. Laxness may well be the pinnacle in terms of literary talent in Iceland, and his writing in "Independent People" is a wonderful mingling of Icelandic folklore, poetry, humour and tragedy. And love. If 'Independent People' is any indication of the writing this nation spawns, I do believe it's time I start spending more of my reading time enjoying the works of this Icelandic author, and perhaps begin to investigate that of some of the others.
My wonder: Have you read "Independent People" or any other works by Halldór Laxness? If so, what did you think? Have you ever read an author's work in the place where they either wrote it or hailed from, and did this impact your experience?
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