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celtic67's review against another edition
4.0
A dual timeline story. Iceland in the 1800's and 1920. More on the blog tour!
thepagelady's review
4.0
This really was a delightful read! The writing style and the unique storyline is what stands out the most for me! It is a slow burn but it is worth every minute you spend reading it! Have you ever watched a movie where you had to pay attention to everything or you wont understand some of the other parts! Well that's what this book is like! You don't get a bunch of data, you get little snippets that in the end they all come together and everything falls into place! It has a great mix of mystery, drama, adventure and humor! Fabulous debut novel I can't wait to see more of Bjørn Larssen books!
bethtabler's review
4.0
Storytellers is not a fantasy story, at least not in the typical sense. But for something to be a fantasy story, there needs to be a layer of the fantastical, and Storytellers has it. When you read Storytellers, you step in the author's love of Iceland, both of its immense rugged harshness and beauty. I have heard it referred to as fantasy-adjacent, and that is an apt description, for this is undoubtedly a fantastical story that can only be told from an author like Bjørn. You can see his love of the landscape of Iceland gleaming in every word and description.
The story is two-fold: the current and the past. In the current story that takes place in Klettafjörður, the setting takes place in the early 20th century. We have a reclusive smith named Gunnar rescuing an injured stranger, and in exchange for help from Gunnar, the stranger, Sigurd, must "sing for his supper." He has to tell Gunnar a story, and better make it interesting. In this, Storytellers has the feel of One Thousand and One Nights. As the story progresses we step into it the past, into a small Icelandic village. As the story progresses, we learn that not all is as shiny when you start to dig under these characters' skin. We know more about why Gunnar is such a reclusive, and that we have unreliable narrators in these characters.
As I mentioned, structure-wise is told between two alternating timelines—both the past and current time. Readers need to pay close attention to this, as I had some difficulty navigating the switching from the narrators initially. As the book progresses, it got more comfortable because the cast of characters had developed their own voices, and everything starts to come together, building a tapestry.
One of the best parts of this book and one that I applaud Larssen is how rawly he demonstrates substance abuse and mental illness. Depression, anxiety, alcoholism, imposter syndrome are genuine parts of the human psyche. They deserve to be a part of realistic characters. In Storytellers, you will have these emotions staring at you in the face. It is a mistake to think that this story is a downer. Quite the contrary, this story feels like how I would believe Iceland feels to an outsider looking in, rough, dark, and beautiful. It is full of crags and mountains and personal struggle and eventual triumph. I think that to be an Icelander; you have to be made of sterner stuff. Even the storytelling itself, the language and imagery have a dim quality to it. It is as if Larssen wanted to give you only so much light to see the characters, much like the dimness of the light in winter, where all you can see is by the brief bit of sun and the occasional candle.
This is a slow burn of a novel, but the richness of the tapestry that Larssen creates is worth the time and effort it takes to get there. And when I reached the end, I felt like what started out as a somber and slow-burning story evolved into leaving me with a spark of hope shining brilliantly. It was worth the trip to get to this point and know if you decide to take this journey with Larssen, you will be greatly rewarded.
The story is two-fold: the current and the past. In the current story that takes place in Klettafjörður, the setting takes place in the early 20th century. We have a reclusive smith named Gunnar rescuing an injured stranger, and in exchange for help from Gunnar, the stranger, Sigurd, must "sing for his supper." He has to tell Gunnar a story, and better make it interesting. In this, Storytellers has the feel of One Thousand and One Nights. As the story progresses we step into it the past, into a small Icelandic village. As the story progresses, we learn that not all is as shiny when you start to dig under these characters' skin. We know more about why Gunnar is such a reclusive, and that we have unreliable narrators in these characters.
As I mentioned, structure-wise is told between two alternating timelines—both the past and current time. Readers need to pay close attention to this, as I had some difficulty navigating the switching from the narrators initially. As the book progresses, it got more comfortable because the cast of characters had developed their own voices, and everything starts to come together, building a tapestry.
One of the best parts of this book and one that I applaud Larssen is how rawly he demonstrates substance abuse and mental illness. Depression, anxiety, alcoholism, imposter syndrome are genuine parts of the human psyche. They deserve to be a part of realistic characters. In Storytellers, you will have these emotions staring at you in the face. It is a mistake to think that this story is a downer. Quite the contrary, this story feels like how I would believe Iceland feels to an outsider looking in, rough, dark, and beautiful. It is full of crags and mountains and personal struggle and eventual triumph. I think that to be an Icelander; you have to be made of sterner stuff. Even the storytelling itself, the language and imagery have a dim quality to it. It is as if Larssen wanted to give you only so much light to see the characters, much like the dimness of the light in winter, where all you can see is by the brief bit of sun and the occasional candle.
This is a slow burn of a novel, but the richness of the tapestry that Larssen creates is worth the time and effort it takes to get there. And when I reached the end, I felt like what started out as a somber and slow-burning story evolved into leaving me with a spark of hope shining brilliantly. It was worth the trip to get to this point and know if you decide to take this journey with Larssen, you will be greatly rewarded.
queenterribletimy's review
5.0
This review was originally posted on my blog, RockStarlit BookAsylum with my choice of song!
Actual rating: 4.5*
"Often his mind seemed to be a sophisticated torture device that never stopped until he drank too much to think about anything at all."
Storytellers is Bj∅rn Larssen's debut novel. And holy shit, I can't believe it's only his debut novel. I really shouldn't be surprised though, because I absolutely did expect a high quality from this book as I've been following Larssen's blog and always enjoyed his style. Still, blog posts and an entire novel aren't exactly the same things. It definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I found myself absolutely enchanted by Storytellers.
This book has two timelines on which we can follow the events - now and then. Now being March 1920 and then being a few decades earlier. The place of all these events are the same: a small village/town near Reykjavík in Iceland. In 1920 Gunnar is a blacksmith, living isolated in his houe with only his dog Ragnar and his horse Karl keeping him company. His days are filled with work, drinking and sleep. He has a miserable life, though he probably doesn't realise that. One day he saves a stranger and is forced to keep him under his roof until he gets better. To pass the time, Sigurd tells a story to Gunnar about three brothers - Arnar (the one who made his luck in America and came home rich with a beautiful wife), Ingvar (the smart and ambitious one) and Bjarni (the builder with many insecurities) and their lives.
There is a lot more to Storytellers than I would be able to cover in this review. The plot is not particularly complicated or action packed, but I think it suits the book. The real power of Storytellers is in the characters. Everyone has secrets, everyone has an agenda and not many of them are likable. But that makes them feel more real rather than cardboard figures on the pages. The village/town is a small place, the people can't escape each other and as it happens in places like that, they talk. Whether the things they say is true or not, doesn't matter. Everyone has their own version of any given event which they don't fail to share until the pretense of keeping others' best interest in mind. Or maybe not a pretense, because people are the best at lying to themselves, and if you keep telling yourself something, you'll believe it sooner or later. I also have to note, that things are maybe exaggerated here of course, but I honestly could symphatise with Gunnar and Juana who just wanted to be left the hell alone.
Some of the characters' behaviour enraged me more than it should have, because however good intentions are, sometimes people really need the exact opposite we think they need. No one has the right to tell someone else what they need, except maybe therapists and doctors, because they might know a thing or two. Also, forcing one's company onto others is just wrong on so many levels. I swear I wanted to drown Brynhildur in a glass of water, because she was just so damn annoying like that. I don't say Gunnar didn't need help, becuase hell knows he had problems, but not ones which would have been solved by blackmailing and seducing, that's for sure.
And since I'm talking about Gunnar. He is definitely a complex character and one I rarely saw in fiction up until now. He is an alcoholic with depression to booth and something I'd call social anxiety. He is coping with the loss of his parents still and has basically no one on his side, except his animals, and some so-called friends who try to force some changes on him. As I said, good intentions are admirable and all, but don't always lead to the best solution. I simultaneously wanted to comfort him and kick his ass. I don't think that would have been helpful either though.
Storytellers made me think about a couple of things regarding socially acceptable behaviour, mental health, how confined societies work and how I wouldn't want to live in one like that. About the human neature of wanting to tower above of others in any way - be it being the best at something, knowing something, thinking we are being helpful - basing our actions on the opinion or act of others, because we just can't help ourselves. There is no such thing as a pure person (see Storytellers) and there is no such thing as selflessness.
But I went off topic. Larssen's prose is beautiful and sometimes borders on haunting but then - as I said - I expected as much. It's kind of a weird book (in a positive way) as it reads fast despite the fact that it's not full of action. It sometimes makes you feel uncomfortable, sometimes challenges you and sometimes keeps you guessing how the different plotlines will come together in the end, who really did what and who is who. I sure was in for some surprises along the way, especially toward the end.
In terms of criticism, I would have liked to see more of certain characters' actions, rather than being told things. There were two places in the 'then' plotline where I was left confused, because there is a huge gap between events during which things happened which are referenced to, kinda, but we never actually learn what happened. The ending feels a tiny bit rushed and I have so many questions left unanswered. I mean, they are not really important ones, but man, I wanted more.
I can't really put my finger on it, but there is something magical and enchanting about Storytellers that makes it an unputdownable book, even though there isn't a single happy person in it. Bjørn Larssen is undoubtedly among the best storytellers I've encountered. He grabs you by your gut and keeps wrenching it until the very end. Don't ask me how he manages to do that, because I've no idea.
Storytellers is about personal demons, about the rougher side of life which isn't improved by the Icelandic weather. It's about people, about choices and the lies (stories) we tell ourselves. It's about a lot of things, really, and the more time you spend in Larssen's world the more it makes you think. I love when a book does that to you. When you can't quite let it go and try to puzzle out the things that are left unsaid. If you are looking for a book with a happy ending or one that is going to tell you that life is full of glitters and rainbow, then Storytellers is not for you. And you are going to be poorer for it.
Actual rating: 4.5*
Storytellers is Bj∅rn Larssen's debut novel. And holy shit, I can't believe it's only his debut novel. I really shouldn't be surprised though, because I absolutely did expect a high quality from this book as I've been following Larssen's blog and always enjoyed his style. Still, blog posts and an entire novel aren't exactly the same things. It definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I found myself absolutely enchanted by Storytellers.
This book has two timelines on which we can follow the events - now and then. Now being March 1920 and then being a few decades earlier. The place of all these events are the same: a small village/town near Reykjavík in Iceland. In 1920 Gunnar is a blacksmith, living isolated in his houe with only his dog Ragnar and his horse Karl keeping him company. His days are filled with work, drinking and sleep. He has a miserable life, though he probably doesn't realise that. One day he saves a stranger and is forced to keep him under his roof until he gets better. To pass the time, Sigurd tells a story to Gunnar about three brothers - Arnar (the one who made his luck in America and came home rich with a beautiful wife), Ingvar (the smart and ambitious one) and Bjarni (the builder with many insecurities) and their lives.
There is a lot more to Storytellers than I would be able to cover in this review. The plot is not particularly complicated or action packed, but I think it suits the book. The real power of Storytellers is in the characters. Everyone has secrets, everyone has an agenda and not many of them are likable. But that makes them feel more real rather than cardboard figures on the pages. The village/town is a small place, the people can't escape each other and as it happens in places like that, they talk. Whether the things they say is true or not, doesn't matter. Everyone has their own version of any given event which they don't fail to share until the pretense of keeping others' best interest in mind. Or maybe not a pretense, because people are the best at lying to themselves, and if you keep telling yourself something, you'll believe it sooner or later. I also have to note, that things are maybe exaggerated here of course, but I honestly could symphatise with Gunnar and Juana who just wanted to be left the hell alone.
Some of the characters' behaviour enraged me more than it should have, because however good intentions are, sometimes people really need the exact opposite we think they need. No one has the right to tell someone else what they need, except maybe therapists and doctors, because they might know a thing or two. Also, forcing one's company onto others is just wrong on so many levels. I swear I wanted to drown Brynhildur in a glass of water, because she was just so damn annoying like that. I don't say Gunnar didn't need help, becuase hell knows he had problems, but not ones which would have been solved by blackmailing and seducing, that's for sure.
And since I'm talking about Gunnar. He is definitely a complex character and one I rarely saw in fiction up until now. He is an alcoholic with depression to booth and something I'd call social anxiety. He is coping with the loss of his parents still and has basically no one on his side, except his animals, and some so-called friends who try to force some changes on him. As I said, good intentions are admirable and all, but don't always lead to the best solution. I simultaneously wanted to comfort him and kick his ass. I don't think that would have been helpful either though.
Storytellers made me think about a couple of things regarding socially acceptable behaviour, mental health, how confined societies work and how I wouldn't want to live in one like that. About the human neature of wanting to tower above of others in any way - be it being the best at something, knowing something, thinking we are being helpful - basing our actions on the opinion or act of others, because we just can't help ourselves. There is no such thing as a pure person (see Storytellers) and there is no such thing as selflessness.
But I went off topic. Larssen's prose is beautiful and sometimes borders on haunting but then - as I said - I expected as much. It's kind of a weird book (in a positive way) as it reads fast despite the fact that it's not full of action. It sometimes makes you feel uncomfortable, sometimes challenges you and sometimes keeps you guessing how the different plotlines will come together in the end, who really did what and who is who. I sure was in for some surprises along the way, especially toward the end.
In terms of criticism, I would have liked to see more of certain characters' actions, rather than being told things. There were two places in the 'then' plotline where I was left confused, because there is a huge gap between events during which things happened which are referenced to, kinda, but we never actually learn what happened. The ending feels a tiny bit rushed and I have so many questions left unanswered. I mean, they are not really important ones, but man, I wanted more.
I can't really put my finger on it, but there is something magical and enchanting about Storytellers that makes it an unputdownable book, even though there isn't a single happy person in it. Bjørn Larssen is undoubtedly among the best storytellers I've encountered. He grabs you by your gut and keeps wrenching it until the very end. Don't ask me how he manages to do that, because I've no idea.
Storytellers is about personal demons, about the rougher side of life which isn't improved by the Icelandic weather. It's about people, about choices and the lies (stories) we tell ourselves. It's about a lot of things, really, and the more time you spend in Larssen's world the more it makes you think. I love when a book does that to you. When you can't quite let it go and try to puzzle out the things that are left unsaid. If you are looking for a book with a happy ending or one that is going to tell you that life is full of glitters and rainbow, then Storytellers is not for you. And you are going to be poorer for it.
mtnest's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcohol, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Vomit, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Infidelity, Grief, Cursing, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Racial slurs, Chronic illness, Sexism, Terminal illness, Incest, and Pedophilia
zooloo1983's review
3.0
I have to start and just get this out of the way. I will be honest, I was intrigued when I read the blurb and I loved the cover but this was nearly a DNF for me. I got confused with the jumping around and not always knowing whose voice it was as it changed from one paragraph to the next. One minute, we were with Sigurd and the next I knew we were with Gunnar. This happened a few times and I struggled, but what kept me going was the story.
I loved the story. The story of Gunnar, his lonesome ways, the stranger Sigurd and how it was reflected against the “Then” story of Arner and his brothers and Juana. There was enough mystery and intrigue to keep me reading. At first, I wasn’t interested in Gunnar and Sigurd because I was hooked on the story of Juana and Arner, their travel from America to a village in Iceland. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and how they were going to cope. Juana suffers from a similar isolation to Gunnar, she can’t speak the language and basically shunned. My heart went out to her.
Then something happened and I wanted to know about Gunnar. I was slowly drawn into his plight, his alcoholism and his care for Sigurd, this stranger. I didn’t care for Brynhildur, she was a dominating woman who really didn’t know as much as she thought. I really did have a soft spot for the man who just wanted to be left alone. He knew what he wanted in life and he was happy with his means to a degree, part punishment and part habit.
I loved that Bjørn did not shy away from Gunnar and his struggles but embraced them. They were part of him and we saw the cold hard reality of it all. My dad was an alcoholic and it felt there were so many parallels in Gunnar, that I completely respected the author and his work. Nothing was glamorised, the steady decline, the delusions, it was something I witnessed first hand.
I have to say there is magic to this story. The story of heartbreak, deception, secrets and loneliness hits all the right spots. There is enough to keep you turning the page and not stop reading. It is the then and now that does it for me. You just get to the “juicy” bit of either story and you are taken away from it and dropped into a different period. Definitely, a winning formula to keep the reader hooked. Especially when the story begins to overlap. Now, this was just delicious to see happen and I was forever trying to figure it all out.
This is a slower-paced book until the climatic shocks. It’s a book to be savoured, not one you can speed read as you take in the sights around you. Even though I was at one point thinking it would be a DNF, there is no way I would have done it, there was something that got under my skin. I spent many days reading it, in the hope of discovering secrets. And boy did I. I am glad I persevered and read this as I would have missed out for sure.
I loved the story. The story of Gunnar, his lonesome ways, the stranger Sigurd and how it was reflected against the “Then” story of Arner and his brothers and Juana. There was enough mystery and intrigue to keep me reading. At first, I wasn’t interested in Gunnar and Sigurd because I was hooked on the story of Juana and Arner, their travel from America to a village in Iceland. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and how they were going to cope. Juana suffers from a similar isolation to Gunnar, she can’t speak the language and basically shunned. My heart went out to her.
Then something happened and I wanted to know about Gunnar. I was slowly drawn into his plight, his alcoholism and his care for Sigurd, this stranger. I didn’t care for Brynhildur, she was a dominating woman who really didn’t know as much as she thought. I really did have a soft spot for the man who just wanted to be left alone. He knew what he wanted in life and he was happy with his means to a degree, part punishment and part habit.
I loved that Bjørn did not shy away from Gunnar and his struggles but embraced them. They were part of him and we saw the cold hard reality of it all. My dad was an alcoholic and it felt there were so many parallels in Gunnar, that I completely respected the author and his work. Nothing was glamorised, the steady decline, the delusions, it was something I witnessed first hand.
I have to say there is magic to this story. The story of heartbreak, deception, secrets and loneliness hits all the right spots. There is enough to keep you turning the page and not stop reading. It is the then and now that does it for me. You just get to the “juicy” bit of either story and you are taken away from it and dropped into a different period. Definitely, a winning formula to keep the reader hooked. Especially when the story begins to overlap. Now, this was just delicious to see happen and I was forever trying to figure it all out.
This is a slower-paced book until the climatic shocks. It’s a book to be savoured, not one you can speed read as you take in the sights around you. Even though I was at one point thinking it would be a DNF, there is no way I would have done it, there was something that got under my skin. I spent many days reading it, in the hope of discovering secrets. And boy did I. I am glad I persevered and read this as I would have missed out for sure.
alexashabit's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
liisp_cvr2cvr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There were so many things I liked about this book that I don’t know where to start with telling you about them. How many things did I like? Well, after consideration, I liked all the things about Storytellers.
Read this…
The thud of the body landing on the good chair sent the dog into hysteria. Gunnar carefully lifted one of the man’s eyelids with a blackened finger. The stranger’s wrinkled face contorted, lips opened in a soundless groan, and Gunnar let out a long breath. Alive. Good. Then he could wait.
Storytellers
This is the opening of the book… I immediately had so many questions. What’s the ‘not good’ chair like? Who’s the stranger? What happened to him? Did Gunnar hurt him? And the ‘he could wait’ told me straight away a piece about Gunnar’s character.
Gunnar, the MC. He works and he drinks. He has an old house that is visited once a week by a cleaning lady. Sometimes Gunnar visits the doctor for his medicine. Note that the Prohibition law is in place. Gunnar has a horse named Karl and a dog named Ragnar. He has a forge. Every serious blacksmith has a forge they can work in. But such are things with Gunnar. A quiet, routine life. Forgotten as he is, living out of town, he has no friends to speak of, nothing else in his life… just work and booze, sorry, medicine.
In a sense, Gunnar is the kind of man who lives life by ‘factory settings’ – I mean, he doesn’t follow the clock. He does his chores. He enjoys the bit of life he has to enjoy. But like every human, he has things on his soul that bother him and there are bouts of depression. I think this book hit me most, because as a character with his goods and flaws, he is so much like someone close to me and I kept nodding at however Gunnar was behaving, because – yes, it is him.
For everybody else, today was the first day of spring. For the blacksmith, it was the day he was turning thirty-five. Gunnar celebrated it by locking himself at home and drinking by the fire all day, trying to silence the voice of the darkness which always accompanied him on that day. Now that he was going to stop drinking very soon, he had now idea what he would do the next time. But then, he didn’t expect to see thirty-six anyway.
Storytellers
Anyway, a stranger comes along and he stays for a while and starts telling Gunnar a story. Honestly – the story from the past is a brilliantly written piece of mystery. I did not have a single idea how this was going to play out. I had zero theories, I couldn’t figure it out – although, in hindsight, I have 20/20 vision. Ha! The past and present are both so full of humanity and what people are capable of, that I would call Storytellers a celebration to society, warts and all.
Everything in this book is written with great care, there are small details that make this story special… I liked the setting in 1920s Iceland with an additional story unraveling from the decade or so past. I like the mystery that was being slowly revealed, I liked the village where the events were taking place. I like the writing, I liked the dialogue, I liked the pace, I liked the conclusion, I liked the terrifying and surprising twists, and I liked the slight wit and humor that took me by surprise when I least expected it. I’m still sitting here, chuckling to myself , when I remember the bits and bobs that humorously added spice to the whole book.
It’s a fantastic book. And Gunnar remains my favorite of the whole because he is so TRUE TO NATURE and so realistic when it comes to the alcohol abuse that I was quite shaken to see how he behaved, how his moods changed, how he found excuses… It was heartbreakingly realistic. There’s a certain misery present around Gunnar, but at the same time his character, his spirit is 100% good and naive and innocent. Gunnar is one of the most authentic characters that have ever leaped off the page for me…
Perhaps, thought Gunnar, he could even stay around during Halldóra’s visit, seeing as he needed to practice for the Concerner… Conervative… the Women who were going to invade tomorrow.
Storytellers
A few more things that presented the human nature down to a T, and that I very much enjoyed. Like the way, we sometimes disguise our being ever so helpful as our holiest virtue whilst underneath there is some sort of a benefit of being helpful to ourselves. I am not talking about doing good because it’s the right thing to do. I am talking about the potential material benefit we hope to receive, as well as the possibility of us looking good to everyone else – look at me, I am the greatest because I did a good thing. All the while, the do-gooder, blinded by the benefits to themselves, has not even considered to ask if help is needed, or indeed wanted. So sometimes, eagerly doing good for someone is actually in some way harming them. Storytellers had a brilliant example of this. As people, we are not all cookie cutter same. If Gunnar doesn’t want a clock, then so be it. If he doesn’t want a car, so be it. Let us now force our ways upon someone else.
The other example of human nature was the way how we play the game ‘Telephone’ as a society at large. Something happens, and by word of mouth, this fact is turned on its head, all sorts of various conclusions drawn from it by all sorts of various people who then act based on said wishy-washy snippets, facts long forgotten. How toxic and dangerous a mass of humans can be!
Anyway, Storytellers is great. I see myself re-reading this title in the future!
jillianbald's review against another edition
Storytellers is a slow burn. Once I got past the moody set-up, to about the half-way point, it was a quick page-turner.
It took a while to feel invested in Bjorn Larssen’s characters. They were grumpy, mean-spirited, over-caffeinated—not the sort you want to spend a long Icelandic winter cooped-up with, but the sort of people that make for a good story.
I liked the book’s setting of Iceland in 1920, but I never got a real vision while reading of what that setting was. I needed more lingering on the landscape and town to really place me in the middle of the story. Cold, dark, mountains, bathing in hot springs—check. I recently finished a novel set in Alaska with the same harsh winters, and I definitely knew what that looked, how deep and wet the snow was, what trudging in the woods felt like, and the expanse of the farm. When characters in Storytellers went outside their confining houses, I never got a sense of distance between buildings, the road to the town or its layout, what the horizon beyond the cliff showed... Less about Gunnar’s mood in the forge and more details about his world outside would have rounded it out for me as a reader.
Despite that, this was an enjoyable book. Have patience with the slow build-up, and you will be rewarded with an original read with a satisfying ending.
It took a while to feel invested in Bjorn Larssen’s characters. They were grumpy, mean-spirited, over-caffeinated—not the sort you want to spend a long Icelandic winter cooped-up with, but the sort of people that make for a good story.
I liked the book’s setting of Iceland in 1920, but I never got a real vision while reading of what that setting was. I needed more lingering on the landscape and town to really place me in the middle of the story. Cold, dark, mountains, bathing in hot springs—check. I recently finished a novel set in Alaska with the same harsh winters, and I definitely knew what that looked, how deep and wet the snow was, what trudging in the woods felt like, and the expanse of the farm. When characters in Storytellers went outside their confining houses, I never got a sense of distance between buildings, the road to the town or its layout, what the horizon beyond the cliff showed... Less about Gunnar’s mood in the forge and more details about his world outside would have rounded it out for me as a reader.
Despite that, this was an enjoyable book. Have patience with the slow build-up, and you will be rewarded with an original read with a satisfying ending.
jillianbald's review against another edition
Storytellers is a slow burn. Once I got past the moody set-up, to about the half-way point, it was a quick page-turner.
It took a while to feel invested in Bjorn Larssen’s characters. They were grumpy, mean-spirited, over-caffeinated—not the sort you want to spend a long Icelandic winter cooped-up with, but the sort of people that makes for a good story.
I liked the book’s setting of Iceland in 1920, but I never got a real vision while reading of what that setting was. I needed more lingering descriptions of the landscape and town to really place me in the middle of the story. Cold, dark, mountains, bathing in hot springs—check. I recently finished a novel set in Alaska with the same harsh winters, and I definitely knew what that looked, how deep and wet the snow was, what trudging in the woods felt like, and the expanse of the farm. When characters in Storytellers went outside their confining houses, I never got a sense of distance between buildings, the road to the town or its layout, what the horizon beyond the cliff showed... Less about Gunnar’s mood in the forge and more details about his world outside would have rounded it out for me as a reader.
Despite that, this was an enjoyable book. Have patience with the slow build-up, and you will be rewarded with an original read with a satisfying ending.
It took a while to feel invested in Bjorn Larssen’s characters. They were grumpy, mean-spirited, over-caffeinated—not the sort you want to spend a long Icelandic winter cooped-up with, but the sort of people that makes for a good story.
I liked the book’s setting of Iceland in 1920, but I never got a real vision while reading of what that setting was. I needed more lingering descriptions of the landscape and town to really place me in the middle of the story. Cold, dark, mountains, bathing in hot springs—check. I recently finished a novel set in Alaska with the same harsh winters, and I definitely knew what that looked, how deep and wet the snow was, what trudging in the woods felt like, and the expanse of the farm. When characters in Storytellers went outside their confining houses, I never got a sense of distance between buildings, the road to the town or its layout, what the horizon beyond the cliff showed... Less about Gunnar’s mood in the forge and more details about his world outside would have rounded it out for me as a reader.
Despite that, this was an enjoyable book. Have patience with the slow build-up, and you will be rewarded with an original read with a satisfying ending.