The Chill of the April Sun – A Story of Love, Madness, and Solace (2020)
2020
143 pages
Fiction
Autofiction
The Chill of the April Sun tells of paternal loss, from the perspective of Vedis, a student and single mother; the love that comes almost as unexpectedly and her descent into mental illness, all in a split-second that seems to last an eternity. Descriptions of Reykjavik and its inhabitants take on a unique tone, true to Elisabet’s style – a pure, colorful flow of poetic freedom. What happens between people when words fail? When the connections to language break down, where do you turn?
• Nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2022 • Nominated for The Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize 2021 • The Icelandic Literary Prize 2020
Reviews
“The Chill of the April Sun, Elísabet Jökulsdóttir’s fourth novel, tells of love, grief, mental health and the loss of a father, in a poetic and soulful way. In it, Elísabet tells an intensely personal story, based on parts of her own life. The author has a good grip on the novelistic form and uses it to her advantage. The rich imagery and sensitivity which has characterized Elísabet’s poetry is prominent and the nuanced text takes the reader on an unexpected but fascinating journey of this tragic story. Elísabet’s autobiographical novel is a particularly interesting addition to this fairly newly specified genre.”
ICELANDIC LITERARY PRIZE SELECTION COMMITTEE
“In The Chill of the April Sun Elísabet Jökulsdóttir tackles love, bipolar disorder and the loss of a father. It’s an autobiographical novel about a grapple with the past where disconnect, a sense of loss, a bohemian lifestyle and unbridled creativity are at odds with each other which leads to much struggle, both internally and externally. This is a novel that provides insight into the world of the eighties while documenting the search for identity, love and affection.”
THE SELECTION COMMITTEE OF THE ICELANDIC WOMEN’S LITERATURE PRIZE 2021
“Elísabet Jökulsdóttir’s description of how Védís, as a result of her illness, gradually loses her hold on reality and believes she can see and hear various messages in her surroundings that are hidden to others, is masterfully executed. The unbridled style and humour that prevails on the surface hides a sombre undercurrent. In her aesthetics, the clear, naive text strongly appeals to the child that Védís was never allowed to be, but whom she tries, in her powerlessness, to care for. Elísabet Jökulsdóttir sensitively and poetically treats subjects that are difficult to deal with, and adds a magic that leaves no one untouched.”
NORDEN.ORG
“… a larger-than-life bohemian genius … Elísabet Jökulsdóttir, Iceland’s fusion of Bukowski and Sylvia Plath… Elísabet had a rough upbringing; alcoholism was a big part of her life, which she writes about in this merciless reflection of her own existence.”
GRAPEVINE
(4.5 stars out of 5) “The writing style is unique but accessible and flows beautifully. Each word matters and none are superfluous. Elísabet received the Icelandic Literary Prize for this novel and it’s well deserved.”
RAGNHILDUR THRASTARDOTTIR, MORGUNBLADID DAILY
(4 stars out of 5) “A poetic and human story that doesn’t seem like much at first but contains powerful magic.”
GUDRUN BALDVINSDOTTIR, FRETTABLADID DAILY
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