The Ax and the Earth (2003)

“The ax and earth shall guard them best.” – A statement that in 1550 sealed the fate of the Icelandic Bishop of Holar, Jon Arason, and his two sons, Ari and Björn – and the future of the Icelandic nation following the Reformation.

The story is masterfully told, the hand of a craftsman has chiselled the moving dialogue. One of the unusual qualities of this story is how the smaller drama, of the people behind the scenes, the wives, children and mothers, is made part of the larger drama. Catholic priest or not, Rev. Björn has a wife and family, as does his brother Ari. The inner family drama is no less compelling than the external conflict, with the sons repeatedly torn between duty to their father, to their families and to their own consciences.

This is a historical novel of faith and doubt, of power and oppression, peopled with characters who step forward larger than life from the mists of the past. With human qualities that make their tragedy only tangible in our own principle-testing times.

The Icelandic Literary Prize 2003 The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize 2003

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