It is three weeks since the boy came to town, carrying a book of poetry to return to the old sea captain – the poetry that did for his friend Bárður. Three weeks, but already Bárður’s ghost has faded. Snow falls so heavily that it binds heaven and earth together.
As the villagers gather in the inn to drink schnapps and coffee while the boy reads to them from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Jens the postman stumbles in half dead, having almost frozen to his horse. On his next journey to the wide open fjords he is accompanied by the boy, and both must risk their lives for each other, and for an unusual item of mail.
The Sorrow of Angels is a timeless literary masterpiece; in extraordinarily powerful language it brings the struggle between man and nature tangibly to life. It is the second novel in Stefánsson’s epic and elemental trilogy, though all can be read independently.
As the villagers gather in the inn to drink schnapps and coffee while the boy reads to them from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Jens the postman stumbles in half dead, having almost frozen to his horse. On his next journey to the wide open fjords he is accompanied by the boy, and both must risk their lives for each other, and for an unusual item of mail.
The Sorrow of Angels is a timeless literary masterpiece; in extraordinarily powerful language it brings the struggle between man and nature tangibly to life. It is the second novel in Stefánsson’s epic and elemental trilogy, though all can be read independently.
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Reviews
'Moving - linguistically and stylistically masterful' Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
'Captivating ... the author eloquently harnesses an overwhelming sense of enormity and vastness ... this is a story of life, love and those left behind. It is a tale punctuated by the stark spectrum of human foibles, but equally one of strength, victory and selflessness in the face of adversity. The dizzying climax will leave you breathless' Susan Swarbrick, Glasgow Herald.
'Rarely have I read such a moving and grim account of the art of catching stars - outstanding' Weekendavisen.
'A spellbinding novel, beautifully written in a lyrical, poetic style' Jacqui Patience, Shadow Independent Foreign Fiction Prize judge.
'A wonderful, exceptional writer ... a timeless storyteller' Carsten Jensen.
'Recalls a Nordic version of one of Cormac McCarthy's journeys ... Devour this book with a hot drink in a warm room' Boyd Tonkin, Independent.
'Stefánsson is an utterly unique writer' Dagbladet.