Betterby (2019)

This little book ... has what it takes to warm the hearts of young and old ... a flawless work of art.

… Thorvaldur’s stories about Betterby are categorised as children’s books that are also suitable for adults, and the first book actually describes the dangers and the sorrow that occur when the imagination of the child is lost. … The world of Betterby is the fairytale-world of childhood, whence children disappear when they grow up … Themes like these are known from other children’s books that also appeal to older readers. Astrid Lindgren’s books about The Brothers Lionheart and Dear Mio are similarly books that grapple with the reality of the child in a much more mature way than many adults dare to do. Michael Ende’s Neverending Story is also worth mentioning here, as it also demands the participation of the reader. … Thorvaldur’s books about Betterby are unique in the Icelandic literary landscape, both as children’s books and fiction for adults. His reworking of the fairy-tale worlds of children’s literature, folktales and fantasies are simultaneously unusual and challenging, and turn out singularly well together with the play with languages characterising Thorvaldur Thorsteinsson’s work.

The story of Betterby is one of the most remarkable children’s books to come out in Icelandic for many years and I wouldn’t be surprised if it became a classic of Icelandic children’s literature.

It will surely be difficult to say goodbye to Betterby, but thankfully a good book can always be read again and again.