Book description
First published in 1946, this humane epic novel is set in rural Iceland
in the early twentieth century. Bjartus is a sheep farmer determined to
eke a living from a blighted patch of land. Nothing, not merciless
weather, nor his family will come between him and his goal of financial
independence. Only Asta Solillja, the child he brings up as his
daughter, can pierce his stubborn heart. As she grows up, keen to make
her own way in the world, Bjartus' obstinacy threatens to estrange them
forever.
HALLDÃ R LAXNESS (1902-98) was born near ReykjavÃk, Iceland. His
first novel was published when he was 17. The undisputed master of
contemporary Icelandic fiction and one of the outstanding novelists of
the twentieth century, his work was translated into more than 30
languages. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955.
J. A. THOMPSON was born in Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1910. After
graduating in English and Nordic language and literature from the
University of Leeds he worked as a school teacher in Akureyi in the
north of Iceland from 1931-2 before moving back to Berwick. His
translation of Independent People was his only work of
translation, the labour of many years. It is generally accepted to be
the finest translation into any language of Laxness's masterpiece.
