An Independent Author
August 19, 2011 at 12:40 pm | Posted in Literary Fiction | 2 CommentsTags: Book Reviews
‘Independent People’ Halldor Laxness Vintage Books 1946
I was inspired to read Halldor Laxness’s ‘Independent People ‘ because of its similarity to Rose Tremain’s most wonderful novel ‘The Colour’ which dealt with the mid 19th Century New Zealand gold rush. In ‘The Colour’ the characters pursuit of dreams of gold become for them in tandem a source of all-consuming hope and madness. 
‘Independent People ‘ deals with the struggles of early 20th Century Icelandic sheep farmer Guðbjartur Jónsson who pursues a dream for independence above all things in the social reality of capitalism and materialism of his time. Very like Tremain’s characters Guðbjartur is stubborn and often brutal in his pursuit of his dream in the middle of which World War 1 breaks out and becomes for Guðbjartur a financial asset as the price and demand for his mutton soars.
After working for eighteen years for a wealthy landowner Guðbjartur earns enough money to buy a piece of land to live off and marries the beautiful but tragic Rosa whom he frequently leaves alone in winter in dogged pursuit of familial independence.
Rich in scope and emotion this is a rewarding novel that earned the author a Nobel Prize for literature in 1955. It’s capitalist and materialist indictments are balanced by the characters involvement in Icelandic folklore culture in particular the poetry of rural Iceland that survived and blossomed during these times.
Not an easy read but the most rewarding novel’s are often demanding of their readers. As rich and eloquent as a novel should be and its economic theme is not lost in our current climate.
Click here to view this book in DLR Library Catalogue.
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Sarah's Books 
“… this is a rewarding novel that earned the author a Nobel Prize for literature in 1955.”
Actually, Laxness wrote many great novels, some of which are considered equal to or better than Independent People. The Nobel Prize is awarded for the author’s body of work.
Comment by Stephen Cowdery— August 19, 2011 #
Hi Stephen thanks for visiting the site and for your comments.
Comment by saravivien— August 24, 2011 #