Lavaland (2023)
2023
208 pages
Fiction
A fiery and captivating story about extreme love and secrets, strength and surrender.
Lineik Hjalmsdottir has ridden the waves of the big sea of life and is still standing strong despite painful loss and heavy trauma. But now the moment of truth has arrived. Her happy place in the countryside, the heartland that her parents built and nurtured, is quickly being engulfed by lava flowing from an erupting crater. Within a few days, it will disappear forever. Lineik sets out to meet the torrent that spares nothing – and the past at the same time: the memories, the love, the secrets and the great sorrows.
Steinunn Sigurdardottir has written many exceptional works that have enjoyed well-deserved popularity. Her shrewd view of human nature, cutting sense of humor and sparkling style captivate readers, and a new novel from her is always a sensation.
Winner of the Icelandic Literary Prize 2023
“Lavaland is a substantive story despite the book not being particularly long. The subject is love in all its varied forms, but also loss, connection and disconnection, whether with oneself or others, one's environment and nature. The protagonist's journey frames the narrative, which simultaneously becomes her inner journey and a reckoning with life.
“A complex, impervious and gripping story of destiny. Deep sorrow and sense of loss is described with a unique sensitivity and artistry. The characterisation is in particularly successful and the bond between man and nature described in an interesting way. The characters‘ turbulent emotionsare reflected in the forces of nature when painful secrets are revealed.” FROM THE ICELANDIC LITERARY PRIZE'S JURY 2023, WHEN NOMINATED
Reviews
There is much simmering beneath the surface, like nature preparing to erupt and the journey's destination is the cherished family cottage, which is about to fall prey to the forces of nature. Steinunn weaves a nuanced tapestry of text that captivates the reader from the beginning; the story is touching, and the emotions linger long after the reading is done. What is left unsaid is often as revealing as what is said, and, as in Steinunn's previous works, playful irony mixes with the vivid poetic characteristic of the text. Although Lavaland is in some ways an apocalyptic story, beauty prevails, and that is what remains most firmly imprinted on the reader's mind.”
FROM THE ICELANDIC LITERARY PRIZE'S JURY 2023, WHEN AWARDED
"What a beautiful, exciting, and compelling book [...]. It is very moving and truly embraces life in every possible and impossible way!"
CAMILLA NAGLER, PUBLISHER
“Lavaland is a true masterpiece. Once again, Steinunn has succeeded in creating a magnificent and unforgettable female character unlike any other.”
GUDRUN STEINTHORSDOTTIR
“Steinunn Sigurðardóttir’s most masterful tale yet, set against the background of nature’s fury."
ELIZA REID, AUTHOR OF SECRETS OF THE SPRAKKAR
"... a masterpiece. One feels it upon reading LAVALAND that here writes an author at the peak of their career, a poet who has perfect control over both style and structure."
ÞORVALDUR S. HELGASON / TMM
“Steinunn's finest work to date.”
JAKOB BJARNAR GRETARSON / VISIR.IS
“...a beautifully written and captivating novel. It delves into themes of love, grief, longing, and loss. Humanity has an inherent need to connect, to intertwine their neural threads with others and hold on tight. When someone dies, these threads remain, transmitting constant pain like phantom limb sensations from an amputated part. ... Lavaland is a wonderful book...”
EVA H. GUDMUNDSDOTTIR / LIFDU NUNA MAGAZINE
FOUR AND A HALF STAR OUT OF FIVE POSSIBLE “Lavaland is a remarkable work about the trouble of being human.”
KRISTJAN JOHANN JONSSON, MORGUNBLADID DAILY
“Steinunn’s story world at its best … delightful reading from start to finish while the story also touches on many sensitive topics in a masterful way.”
SOFFIA A BIRGISDOTTIR, VIDSJA/ICELANDIC NATIONAL BROADCASTING SERVICE
“Great book. The kind of quality you only get from a writer at the matured peak of her career. It’s just the most enjoyable reading experience. And it’s all in the details, the style, the wording, the sway of the sentence, the music of the meaning. Now that 99% of today's writing is sober prose it’s such a bliss to drink from this cup, it almost reaches Laxnessian heights.”
HALLGRIMUR HELGASON, WRITER
“A masterpiece!”
JOHN SWEDENMARK, SVENSKA DAGBLADET, SWEDEN
“The profound affection for Icelandic nature radiates and glows within this book, just as it does in Steinunn Sigurdardottir's other works, through remarkably beautiful descriptions. A uniquely sensitive appreciation for the landscape is intricately woven into her entire body of work ... A reasonably attentive reader could likely recognize Sigurdardottir's style from outer space, distinguish her text from all the texts in the world, so unique and refined it is. It contains a suitable dose of whimsy and a bit of flair, irony, humor, and wordplay ... here is no doubt that "LAVALAND" has thoroughly found its place in Steinunn Sigurdardottir's oeuvre, where it sparkles and shines alongside the brightest stars.”
THORUNN HREFNA, WWW.BOKMENNTIR.IS
Rights Sold
HungaryTypotex