Win 1 of 3 copies of Hangman’s Gap by Rachel Amphlett – QUEENSLAND, Australia
Novel set in ICELAND
11th May 2026
Boudoir by Sigrún Pálsdóttir, novel set in ICELAND. TR: Lytton Smith
This wonderful, rather misleadingly titled novel spans five decades, telling us the story of neurodivergent protagonist Teddý from 1962 onwards, interspersed with the experiences of an air hostess, going backwards in time from 2004, with the three letter airport codes of each trip shown each time, which I found a fun touch. I confess it did take me a couple of goes to get to grips with the timelines going in different directions, and the following text not relating to the stewardess sections!
Teddý is a numbers whizz, and at the urging of an American cartographer visiting Iceland who she briefly assists, attends college and graduates exceptionally well. On returning home she goes for a horse ride but becomes lost in the fog, and bumps into a training astronaut who has similarly got himself lost, and they spend the night in a shepherd hut. This chance encounter has twin consequences that profoundly influence the future path of Teddý’s life, a relationship that is more about security than love, a career, and a passionate secret hobby, before the house of cards inevitably comes tumbling down about her ears.
The book is not a very long read and I found I couldn’t put it down, I was absolutely entranced and fully invested in Teddý’s life, rooting for her and wishing things could be different – as indeed they would be scant years later.
In some respects this is a story that could take place in almost any location of that era, but the beginning, setting up the story, is a set of circumstances unique to Iceland, and also the sense of limitless opportunity that is inherent in a much smaller population – you can do almost anything in an environment which lacks the kind of competition in numbers of more populous countries, and this has encouraged an unusually high level of entrepreneurship and just general ‘having a go’ in Iceland. If you can imagine it, you have a good chance of being able to make it happen. Sadly this doesn’t fully work for Teddý, though she is certainly making strides in the right direction for the generation of women following her.
The novel is beautifully written, with well drawn characters, gentle but engaging pacing and a wonderful plot. If I had never been to Iceland, would I find this book painted a portrait of the country well for me? In some ways yes, but in others, as mentioned, the story is driven more after the opening by the characters and plot, so I would give it 5 stars for content but 4 (to perhaps 4.5!) for location.
If I were to pick any flaws, they would be that an enraging word is not revealed, and I’m too curious! And also the use of giggling on occasion for men, when I felt a chuckle would be more fitting in the context, but this is doubtless a translation point, which is otherwise ably handled by Lytton Smith. Full marks to Peirene press as well for naming the translator on the cover – credit where credit’s due! Sigrún Pálsdóttir is absolutely an author to be keeping an eye out for in future.
Lee-Anne for the TripFiction Team
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