A Boat with Sails and All (2004)

“This is a well-crafted coming-of-age story about a young woman who finds it hard to find her footing in life after her father passes away. The story is narrated in the first person, giving the reader direct access to its heroine’s mind: Oddfridur Gunnarsdottir – a.k.a Odda. The story kicks off at Odda’s father’s funeral reception, and from the very first chapter we are given to understand her relationship with her mother and sister is highly strained. Her closest ally in the family has just died and there are hard times ahead. Odda feels she’s been stagnating and longs for change. She therefore gives up her job at the cosmetics boutique and gets employed by a daily newspaper called News. Her first assignment there is to apply for a temporary summer job with the paper’s main competitor (Vikuskammturinn), to be able to act as a double-agent and write an article about their sordid journalistic practices. But Odda gradually realises that this sordid nature isn’t only to be found at the Vikuskammturinn and faces moral issues that make her question the value of her article and work, as well as her closest friends and partners. The book unravels on two levels: through Odda’s flashbacks and in the present. Her flashbacks shed light on the nature of her relationship with other family members, and in many ways explain Odda’s sarcasm, reservedness and isolation. In the present she is grappling with her father’s death, and trying to find her feet in a new job, knowing that she will betray her new colleagues at the end of the summer. These two levels are skilfully interwoven in an seamless narrative that is crystallised by natural dialogue and convincing characterisation.”