Why Join?

  • Add New Books

  • Write a Review

  • Backpack Reading Lists

  • Monthly Newsletter

Join Now

The Heart of Man

The Heart of Man

Author(s): Jón Kalman Stefánsson

Location(s): Iceland

Genre(s): Fiction

Location

Content

After coming through the blizzard that almost cost them everything, Jens and the boy are far from home, in a fishing community at the edge of the world.

Taken in by the village doctor, the boy once again has the sense of being brought back from the grave. But this is a strange place, with otherworldly inhabitants, including flame-haired Álfheiður, who makes him wonder whether it is possible to love two women at once; he had believed his heart was lost to Ragnheiður, the daughter of the wealthy merchant in the village to which he must now inexorably return.

Set in the awe-inspiring wilderness of the extreme north, The Heart of Man is a profound exploration of life, love and desire, written with a sublime simplicity. In this conclusion to an audacious trilogy, Stefánsson brings a poet’s eye and a philosopher’s insight to a tale worthy of the sagasmiths of old.

Review this Book

To review this book, please

Log in

Book Reviews

Lead Review

Otherworldly in many ways, this is an area of dancing light. A saga in the vein of Nordic sagas.

Read review