Das wiedergefundene Paradies.

by Halldór Kiljan Laxness, Halldór Kiljan Laxness

published	2002 by Steidl
binding	Taschenbuch
isbn	3882434708 (isbn13: 9783882434705)
pages	254
date added	03-10-08 edit book

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Anders rated it:

(review of isbn 0375727582)

10/04/07

Read in October, 2007

With the mountainous legacy of Icelandic sagas looming over him, Nobel-prize winning Icelandic author Halldor Laxness' writing is positioned in a very fertile artistic space. His prose is modern, aware of itself, and is heavily influenced by the complications and ambiguities of modern life. Particularly impressive are his powers of description. Laxness is able to place the reader in mid-19th century Iceland, geographically as well as psychologically, without spending any time away from the chara...more With the mountainous legacy of Icelandic sagas looming over him, Nobel-prize winning Icelandic author Halldor Laxness' writing is positioned in a very fertile artistic space. His prose is modern, aware of itself, and is heavily influenced by the complications and ambiguities of modern life. Particularly impressive are his powers of description. Laxness is able to place the reader in mid-19th century Iceland, geographically as well as psychologically, without spending any time away from the characters. Making reference to heroes of various sagas (graciously footnoted) instantly conjures a certain set of characteristics and storylines-- immensely useful to someone like Laxness, who is ready to subvert them.

The key difference from the sagas of Iceland is the story's moral complexity and ultimate ambiguousness. Laxness explains the characters in terms of their more simple characteristics, which suffice to get a feeling of them. Steinar, the main character, is introduced as an able handyman who keeps his farm in immaculate condition despite the boulders that continually roll off the mountain onto his property. He rejects gold or any other form of earthly accumulation of wealth, and in the very beginning, the family is blessed with a beautiful white pony who possesses a supernatural aura. All this traditional-seeming story development is quickly subverted by the entrance onto the scene of a Mormon missionary, who convinces Steinar to move to the quickly developing Territory of Utah. Accordingly, over half of the book takes place in America, in the rapidly growing Mormon community around Salt Lake City. And this is right at the height of the period of military confrontations between the polygamous Mormons, set on creating their own Kingdom of God right in the desert of Utah, and the American government.

The turn the story takes from its unassuming opening is unexpected and refreshing, and the story reveals itself to be quite complex. Laxness sheds a lot of light on the experiences of the 19th century emigrate: how tough, life-changing decisions can be made with irrationality and spontaneity, just like 21st century ones. Overall, this book is rich with insights and masterfully written....less

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Das wiedergefundene Paradies.

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