Independent People

Critics

• Independent People

  Every now and then you read a novel that plants images in your subconscious and intrudes into your dreams; that interrupts your train of thought at work and changes your perspective on the world. INDEPENDENT PEOPLE is one of those books. It is an epi ... (read full critics)

  bookgroup published on Tue, 14 Sep 2010

3 Reviews

• 

  Icelandic epic

  A book about the trials and tribulations of an Icelandic sheep farmer at the turn of the 20th century does not sound like much fun.

  Yet it turned out to be one of the most poewerful books I've read. It's tragic, funny and unsettling. It's the tale of Bjartur, a sheep farmer and his family-Bjartur ... (continue)

  A book about the trials and tribulations of an Icelandic sheep farmer at the turn of the 20th century does not sound like much fun.

  Yet it turned out to be one of the most poewerful books I've read. It's tragic, funny and unsettling. It's the tale of Bjartur, a sheep farmer and his family-Bjartur has scrimped and saved to buy his sheep and croft and is utterly determined to be a completely debt free man, accepting no loans or help hence the 'Independent People' title. These obsessive qualities drive a wedge between him and his family but help him thrive too. You curse his stubborness but also see it bear fruits. It's about life on the edge, the family and animals barely surviving the harsh winters, illness and the grinding poverty.

  It's not an easy read but has a dark beauty. This book won the Nobel prize for literature in 1955

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  Meadowfield Mark said on Jun 19, 2011 | Add your feedback

• 

  Sheep saga

  The power of Laxness's writing allows the reader to become truly immersed in the smells, sights and sounds of the world he has created and, for me at least, the smells seemed to predominate, the smell of damp wool especially. An amazing feat.

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  Top of the pile said on May 27, 2011 | Add your feedback

• 

  Great book master piece ! Opened my eyes to the interesting world of Iceland. Not funny like the other books he has written.

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  Giovanna a Brooklyn said on Sep 12, 2008 | Add your feedback

Book Details

• Rating:
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• English Books
• Paperback 544 Pages
• Edition: New Ed
• ISBN-10: 1860467768
• ISBN-13: 9781860467769
• Publisher: The Harvill Press
• Pub date: Sep 28, 2001
• Dimensions: 1290 mm x 774 mm x 258 mm Just how big is that?
• Also available as: Hardcover

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