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Independent People

By Halldór Laxness
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Check link for latest rating. ( 13,938 ratings, 2,006 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Independent People by Halldór Laxness follows the story of a proud Icelandic sheep farmer named Bjartur of Summerhouses, who strives for complete independence despite the hardships of rural life. The narrative explores his relentless quest for self-sufficiency set against the backdrop of Iceland's harsh landscape and shifting social structures. As Bjartur's ambitions collide with familial and economic realities, the novel delves into themes of resilience, freedom, and the cost of pride.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to epic tales set against a striking Icelandic backdrop, exploring the struggles and resilience of individuals striving for independence. It delves deeply into themes of survival, pride, and human perseverance amidst the harsh realities of rural life, making it a compelling read for those fascinated by character-driven narratives and cultural landscapes.

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Bjartus is a sheep farmer determined to eke a living from a blighted patch of land. Nothing, not merciless weather, nor his family will come between him and his goal of financial independence. Only Asta Solillja, the child he brings up as his daughter, can pierce his stubborn heart.

Icelandic Nobel Prize-winner, by the 'Tolstoy of the North'

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A magnificent Icelandic epic by the Tolstoy of the North

First published in 1946, this is a humane, epic novel set in rural Iceland. Bjartus is a sheep farmer determined to eke a living from a blighted patch of land. Nothing, not merciless weather, nor his family, will come between him and his goal of financial independence. Only Asta Solillja, the child he brings up as his daughter, can pierce his stubborn heart. As she grows up, keen to make her own way in the world, Bjartus's obstinacy threatens to estrange them forever.

Written by the Nobel prize-winner dubbed the Tolstoy of the North, this is a magnificent portrait of the eerie Icelandic landscape and one man's dogged struggle for independence.

There are good books and there are great books and there may be a book that is something still more—it is the book of your life. — New York Review of Books

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Independent People by Halldór Laxness is celebrated as a major work of Icelandic literature and is praised as one of the finest novels of the 20th century. Reviewers admire its poetic, visionary style combined with compelling narrative and subtle humour. Many consider it a life-changing read, urging readers to delve into its literary treasures. Such acclaim highlights its profound impact and enduring resonance.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099527121

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 July 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 35.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 397g

Pages: 576

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About the Author

Halld r Laxness (1908 - 98) was born near Reykjavik, Iceland. His first novel was published when he was seventeen. The undisputed master of contemporary Icelandic fiction and one of the outstanding novelists of the twentieth-century, he wrote more than sixty books. Laxness was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955.

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