Independent People
Categories
Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction, Literature, Scandinavian Literature, Historical, 20th Century, Novels, Literary Fiction, Nobel Prize
Content Type
Book
Binding
Paperback
Year
1997
Publisher
Vintage
Language
English
ASIN
0679767924
ISBN
0679767924
ISBN13
9780679767923
File Download
PDF | EPUB
Independent People Plot Summary
Best Quote
“Shortly afterwards it started raining, very innocently at first, but the sky was packed tight with cloud and gradually the drops grew bigger and heavier, until it was autumn’s dismal rain that was falling—rain that seemed to fill the entire world with its leaden beat, rain suggestive in its dreariness of everlasting waterfalls between the planets, rain that thatched the heavens with drabness and brooded oppressively over the whole countryside, like a disease, strong in the power of its flat, unvarying monotony, its smothering heaviness, its cold, unrelenting cruelty. Smoothly, smoothly it fell, over the whole shire, over the fallen marsh grass, over the troubled lake, the iron-grey gravel flats, the sombre mountain above the croft, smudging out every prospect. And the heavy, hopeless, interminable beat wormed its way into every crevice in the house, lay like a pad of cotton wool over the ears, and embraced everything, both near and far, in its compass, like an unromantic story from life itself that has no rhythm and no crescendo, no climax, but which is nevertheless overwhelming in its scope, terrifying in its significance. And at the bottom of this unfathomed ocean of teeming rain sat the little house and its one neurotic woman.” ― Halldór Laxness, Independent People
About Author
Halldór Laxness
Laxness charts the intersection of Icelandic identity with socio-political narratives, blending his profound empathy for ordinary people with rich cultural explorations. His works reflect a commitment to depicting the struggles faced by Icelandic peasants and workers against harsh environmental and social conditions, therefore weaving social realism with Icelandic saga traditions. For instance, in his acclaimed book "Independent People", Laxness delves into the life of a peasant farmer fighting for independence, illustrating the complex socio-economic hardships faced by rural communities. This approach not only highlights the social criticisms inherent in his storytelling but also situates his narratives within the broader context of national identity and history.\n\nBeyond socio-political themes, Laxness employs modernist and absurdist experiments in his later works, enriching the literary landscape with a blend of traditional and contemporary influences. The "World Light" series captures a peasant poet's life journey, using vivid character portrayals to emphasize personal and societal struggles, while "Kristnihald undir Jökli" reflects his foray into modernist experimentation. These themes and methods underscore Laxness’s dynamic evolution as an author, whose literary style transitioned from expressionism and religious introspection to a more socially engaged realism.\n\nThis bio of Laxness underlines his transformative impact on Icelandic literature, recognized through the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955. His contribution to renewing Icelandic narrative art offers profound insights into the cultural and social fabric of Iceland. Readers interested in socio-political narratives and cultural identity will find Laxness’s books invaluable for their rich exploration of human resilience and national heritage.
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Independent People
by Halldór Laxness
