Yo-yo (2011)

While examining the tumour of one of his patients, Martin Montag, a cancer specialist in Berlin, finds that its shape, resembling a yo-yo, brings back memories of a traumatic incident he suffered as a child. The themes of illness in Yo-Yo are particularly tragic, but the novelist brilliantly avoids indulging in pathos by highlighting - with a remarkable imagination and playfulness - the vigour of love and the healing power of friendships, and of sharing pain. A drama of betrayal and friendship unfolds, intringuingly told by one of Iceland's best-known contemorary writers.

***** (five stars) “Steinunn Sigurdardottir's Yo-yo begins in the office of cancer specialist Martin Montag as he gently informs his patient that a tumour has been detected in the man’s oesophagus. The elderly gentleman, devastated by the news (and particularly unhappy because he feels that his healthy lifestyle should have protected him from this), takes some calming down, and by the time Martin is alone in his office again, he feels exhausted. However, the fatigue which suddenly settles upon him isn’t entirely due to the normal stresses of dealing with an emotionally affected patient. As Martin examines the tumour again, the blot on the scan reminds him of a yo-yo, and his plans of casually celebrating the first day of spring with his wife, Petra, are thrown into disarray. He begins to feel pain in his chest and shoulder, needing to rest in the garden outside before being able to face his next patient. Something in the scan has brought up long repressed memories, and Martin’s life is about to become a lot more complicated… ... Yo-yo is a novel which manages to both keep a light touch and handle a delicate subject, all the while wrapping the story in an air of mystery which never entirely dissipates. ... part of the beauty of Yo-yo is the writer’s characterisation of Montag, a portrayal of a driven specialist who recognises that when it comes to normal human existence, he’s more akin to a robot than flesh and blood. ... a book I’d recommend.“ https://tonysreadinglist.wordpress.com/