Independent People

Independent People Series

This epic saga follows the life and struggles for survival of Bjartur of Summerhouses, a man of indomitable spirit set against the harsh landscape of turn-of-the-century Iceland. It is a profound exploration of human resilience, solitude, and the relentless pursuit of independence in the face of overwhelming odds. The narrative delves into the true cost of freedom and the sacrifices one makes to maintain integrity and self-reliance.

Halldór Laxness

544 pages
20 hours of reading

4.2(10293)Add rating

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

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Independent People