Reviews

Islands klokke by Halldór Laxness

outcolder's review against another edition

5.0

A handful of Trickster-archetypes on a volcanic island with a gateway to Hell and a bad case of the Danes get up to all kinds of antics until the entire legal system declares itself invalid. There's brandy, ancient sagas on sheepskin, wrestling matches with the recently executed, and although it's not a fantasy, there's an elf-queen, a troll-wife, and a giant witch but what there never seems to be enough of is fishing line.

readingjas's review against another edition

challenging informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bailey_bea's review against another edition

4.0

"Cackling crows flocked in the fog suspended over the bare black treetops."

I first must admit that I slogged through many passages, particularly ones that concerned law and history. However, the story is interesting enough and the characters, though often without redeeming value, are likable. Even the female protagonist, Snæfríður, is likable despite her seeming lack of logic in her decisions.

Interestingly, most of the characters and most of the story are based on true stories and people.

I may have given the book three stars, but I'm compelled by the jaunts of beautiful writing, the attention to historical detail, and my visit to Iceland to give it four.

krobart's review against another edition

4.0

See my review here:

http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2014/05/14/day-520-icelands-bell/

lizardskin's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jcampbell's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

4.0

truly feels like an old timey saga, that was incredibly enjoyable

aubreystapp's review against another edition

1.0

Couldn’t finish it, too dull.

peter_fischer's review against another edition

5.0

This is probably Laxness’s most important and memorable book. It is set in the 18th century, mostly in Iceland and partly in Denmark (Iceland was under Danish rule at the time). There are three separate storylines, the farmer Jón Hreggviðsson who gets into trouble with the law, the tragic love life of the beautiful lady Snæfríður Íslandssól, and the manuscript-collector Arnas Arnaeus, who loves Snæfríður. Epic and often tragic, the narrative gives a unique insight into the harshness of life in Iceland at the time. I have read both German and English translations from the Icelandic original, they were both terrific.

ingamaloy's review

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Må innrømme at jeg kjempet meg gjennom denne boken selv om jeg elsket den. Var bare ikke riktig tidspunkt for meg å lese boken akkurat da. Alle karakterene var fullstendige idioter, men samtidig greier man ikke å føle med dem. Snøfrid irriterte meg så mye, og det samme gjorde den idioten av en prest hun er venner med (mener han heter Sigurd eller noe). 

jonathanovd's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0