by Halldor Laxness
|
| List Price: | $15.95 |
| Amazon Price: | $10.85 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
| You Save: | $5.10 (32%) |
| Average Rating: |  |
| Lowest New Price: | $6.14 |
| Availablitiy: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
|
 |
|
No Editorial Reviews yet
Customers who bought this item also bought
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 one of the best books ever, 2008-10-17
This is perfection in every sentence. Nothing more to say. Except that if your edition contains a foreword by Brad Leithauser, don't read it until after you've finished! It will reveal too much of the story, and it will also influence your perception and your expectations. And while you may disagree with some views in the foreword, certainly you will agree with the claim that this is one of the best books ever. Unless you think that a good book should have hobbits in it.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
The flower of my life., 2008-10-10
I don't even want to call this a "book". It's something different. It doesn't only tell you something or show you something it GIVES you something; something that nothing else can give you and that no one can take away from you.
Laxness does what every author wishes he or she could do. He does it more beautifully, with more gentleness and sternness and joy, fear and trembling. All the while he has evaporated into every rotted wooden picket and dark rock scattered in the fields of Iceland. Never have I read a book where the voice of the writer has become such a part of the landscape and characters. I feel strange even calling them "characters", because it hard to believe that they had never even really lived.
So please, if you pick up this book and wonder if you should read it, or follow through with it please do. It's worth bearing with the rainy days and sheep and the worms and the marsh; there is little more beautiful than the flower that raises its head amongst the stones around it.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Don't read the introduction, 2008-08-23
One of my favorite books ever. I'm writing just to warn readers not to read the tremendously idiotic introduction. The guy gives away the plot to the book. The "smart" people at Vintage evidently don't know the difference between an introduction and an afterword. They should be shot (at the very least).
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 I thought my grandfather was stubborn., 2008-01-27
Even Iceland had its problems with ignorance and fear of progress. No knowledge of Iceland, except that it is an isolated northern island, is necessary to appreciate this marvelous story. It's a book about people more than place. Having read it, I do want to learn more about Iceland, though.
The main character is very unlikable. His single-mindedness is what drives the entire book. His treatment of other people, including his family, compared with his treatment of his sheep is the critical focus of the book.
I don't know if I would have preferred another ending, but will accept what Laxness gave us. Highly recommended and I have ordered more Laxness books (from Amazon of course).
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
MY FAVORITE BOOK, EVER. HAUNTING CHARACTERS. HAUNTING EVERYTHING., 2008-01-13
Stepping Off the Edge: Learning & Living Spiritual Practice
Halldor Laxness won the 1955 Nobel Prize with this one. It's the story of Bjartur, an indentured servant who purchased his freedom with 18 years of hard work. Bjartur sets out to be truly independent by owning his own farm-- which happens to be cursed. This saga dissects the Icelandic social system, Bjartur's psyche (& those of all other characters), & illustrates the effects of war and greed on both. E. Annie Proulx, Jane Smiley & I agree: It's one of the best books ever written. Don't read the Introduction. Its author gives away too much. R rated for Explicit Poverty.
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
|
Store Categories
|