Comments on: Independent People – Book Review

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:11:29 +0000

Mary: I think this is a book to be read slowly and thoughtfully. There is not any real “action” so at times it appears plodding. But, it is just so beautifully crafted, in my opinion…a slice of life and observation of family. I hope you’ll enjoy it more the second time around.

By: MaryP

MaryP — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:26:01 +0000

My daughter (the anthropology grad) gave me this book for Christmas, lauding its many virtues, but I confess I never got into the flow with it. From time to time I’d be lifted and carried along, but then would land with a bump and find myself having to push to continue. I didn’t set it aside in disgust, I just put it down one day and never returned.

You’ve made me realize I’ve missed something. I think I’ll dig it up and have another go!

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Sun, 18 May 2008 21:15:28 +0000

Professor Batty: Thanks for visiting my blog – I didn’t mean to imply that Laxness won the Nobel just for this book, as I know the Nobel goes to a writer for the body of his work…but, my understanding was that Independent People was what got his work largely recognized. I would love to read more of his work.

John: LOL! She should have agreed to read the book – it would have been a deal!

By: John

John — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:25:08 +0000

Curiously this was one of the books that I grabbed of the shelf last night when my wife wanted me to attend a Hindu music festival. I said he she reads a book then I would attend a concert. She want for the bargain but not the book!

By: Professor Batty

Professor Batty — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:18:48 +0000

... good review, but I will take issue with one thing- Laxness won the Nobel for his body of work, not primarily for Independent People. He had several novels of the same high quality in the thirties and forties- Salka Valka, World Light, Iceland's Bell, The Atom Station andThe Happy Warriors. Later works include The Fish Can Sing, Paradise Reclaimed, and Under The Glacier. They are all worth a look.

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:38:58 +0000

Alisia: I will look forward to reading your thoughts on it!

By: Alisia

Alisia — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:25:05 +0000

This was on my list to read last year, and then I discovered that my library didn’t have it. I never got around to doing an inter-library loan, but your review is pushing this one to the top of my list again!

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:51:24 +0000

Thanks, Heather – I’ve been tagged by a couple of people on this one…I guess I better get busy and do it! *laughs*

By: heather (errantdreams)

heather (errantdreams) — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:17:02 +0000

Oooh, this one sounds lovely!

Hope you don’t mind that I tagged you for the five points meme. If you feel like it, naturally.

By: Caribousmom

Caribousmom — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:28:37 +0000

Ann: I agree – although I actually learned of this one through an online book group that reads and discusses works in translation. I had never heard of this author before – and he writes beautifully. I hope you can find his work.