A memoir of a summer in Iceland.
Charles Fergus Book order (chronological)
This author crafts narratives rooted in nature, wildlife, and the outdoors, with a deep knowledge of the natural world informing their fiction. Readers often praise the strong sense of place evoked in their novels, which frequently explore specific historical periods, such as the Jacksonian era of American history. Alongside these works, the author writes the Gideon Stoltz mystery series, set in the 1830s Pennsylvania backcountry, drawing on the region's landscape and past. Their writing offers a compelling fusion of natural observation and historical immersion.
Little Lava – keine Straße führt zu diesem kleinen, abgelegenen Hof an der Westküste Islands, der einzige Fußweg wird während der Flut unpassierbar, Strom, Heizung und fließend Wasser gibt es nicht. In diese Einsamkeit am Rande eines Lavafeldes mit Blick auf schroffe Berge, beeindruckende Vulkane und dem weiten isländischen Himmel zieht sich der Autor mit seiner Familie nach einem tragischen Schicksalsschlag zurück …
Little Lava is a remote farm on Iceland's west coast, accessible only across a lagoon that floods twice daily. Surrounded by a lava field, the farm offers stunning views of mountains, volcanoes, and the pristine Icelandic sky. In this narrative, the author shares his experience of restoring an abandoned house on the farm, spending a summer with his wife and young son in a life stripped of modern conveniences—no heat, electricity, or running water. Inspired by Henry Beston's reflections on solitude, the author sought a place at civilization's edge and found it in Iceland. Amidst this backdrop, he faced profound personal tragedy: the shocking murder of his mother in Pennsylvania. In the vast, quiet spaces of Iceland, he grappled with his grief, finding solace in the land's rich wildlife, history, and mythology. The coastal house became a sanctuary, a place for healing and reflection as he navigated his sorrow. He describes Little Lava as a refuge where he could begin to envision a future less overshadowed by pain. This work is a thoughtful exploration of nature, loss, and resilience, capturing the unique landscape and spirit of Iceland through evocative prose.
A chronicle of the first hunting season with the author's springer spaniel.