“Independence is the most important thing of all in life. I say for my part that a man lives in vain, until he is independent. People who aren’t independent aren’t people.” p37

On the back cover of Halldór Laxness’ book, ‘Independent People’, is a quote by Jane Smiley, an American novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner. She simply says, “I love this book... I can’t imagine any greater delight than coming to Independent People for the first time’. I couldn’t agree more, having finished this incredible novel for the first time. It’s been on my TBR list for a while now and as a lover of Iceland and Icelandic fiction, this book is so insightful, informative, reflective and mesmerising to read. The translation flows beautifully and while I have no idea how accurate the translation actually is, the version I have read cites that it is widely regarded the finest translation of this masterpiece.

Independent People reads like a saga in some ways. It tells the story of Bjartur, sheep farmer, set in Northern Iceland early in the 20th century. It’s not a narrative in the sense that it simply chronicles the story of Bjartur, it’s more like a study of a personality that weathers the storms both literally and metaphorically, witnesses the changes in the political and social landscape, and remains steadfastly himself, holding firm to all he is, believes, and stands for, unswayed by the tide of change.

At times I loved Bjartur and at times I hated him. His commitment to independence and his love for his sheep overrides all else and comes at a cost that I would personally not be able to bear. He is fiery, passionate, exceptionally hard working, resolute and tethered to no one, not even his wives or children. Laxness captures Bjartur when he writes: “He was in a passion now. He floundered madly about in the snow, dumping himself with all his might, and did not sit down again till he had overcome all those feelings of the body that cry for rest and comfort, everything that argues for surrender and hearkens to the persuasion of fainthearted gods.” p114

Independent People is set against the backdrop of harsh Icelandic peasant life of a hundred years ago. I am honestly in awe of the strength, stamina and fortitude of Bjartur who in reality represents so many Icelanders living in the elements, counting their age by the number of winters survived and eking out an existence from the unforgiving land. The novel chronicles the social and political outworking of the development of cooperatives, banking, and the voting of members of the Althingi.

The one person throughout the novel who influences Bjartur subtley is Ásta Sóllilja, the girl he brings up as his own daughter, surviving at birth only through the mothering instinct of Bjartur’s faithful dog. Ásta Sóllilja is Bjartur’s little flower, the flower that exists on the wall of the turf cottage when all is covered in post winter desolation. I love the way Laxness describes how she nestles into Bjartur’s bearded neck and finds her security. The heart warming ending to the novel is precious and highlights Bjartur’s journey, fiercely independent still but realising perhaps not quite so independent as he had once been.

This is my favourite read for 2022 so far. I borrowed it from the library but will purchase it now because I want to read it again and again.