Oil (2021)
2021
182 pages
Fiction
Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize 2021 JURY’S COMMENTS “A spirited narrative about six women who rebel against conventional gender roles. A fascinating polemic on the shackles of convention and attempts to break the chains of the paternalistic mindset. The work is unusual in that six authors work together to tell a single story from the perspective of six women, who are all, however, connected among themselves in various ways. Despite the varying styles and distinct authorial voices, a strong, unified narrative emerges that discusses the pressing issues of our time.”
R E V I E W S
Reviews
“The book’s structure is unusual and refreshing … the texts are captivating and extremely compelling, effortlessly ushering the reader into the world of the story.”
RAGNHILDUR THRASTARDOTTIR, MORGUNBLADID DAILY
“Oil is a uniquely thrilling work… The six women are of varying ages, the oldest a retiree and the youngest barely in her twenties. They are all flawed and have come to a turning point in their lives. Each chapter takes its own bent and leaves the reader with the right amount of curiosity to know more about the character before the perspective shifts. ... One of the book’s larger themes is cataclysmic global warming, the disastrous effects of climate change for the coming generations, questioning what will become of the world under this looming catastrophe. … Oil is the most remarkable book I’ve read so far this season. Each chapter offers a breath of fresh air and brings something new to the discussion. The work is a meditation on the future of the world, spotlighting the position of women in Iceland and just enough provocation for the reader through diverse styles and characters who are written with depth and acuity.”
REBEKKA SIF STEFANSDOTTIR, LESTRARKLEFINN
“I was so captivated by the book that I completely disappeared into it... the characterization is fantastic ... a lot of power in these women ... I found everything about this book a breath of fresh air ... a book that you can dig into over and over again ... definitely something I would want to reread ... you just want to devour it and lick your fingers afterwards...”
SKUFFUSKALD