The narrative weaves together these contemporary lives with a historical account of the in Jurbarkas, Lithuania. In 1941, half the town's population was murdered; Agnes's ancestors were involved on both sides—one of her great-grandfathers was a victim, while another was a perpetrator. Key Themes and Motifs
: Norðdahl seeks to integrate Iceland into broader world history, challenging the national self-image of "innocence" by highlighting the country's history of racism and nationalism.
: Some readers find the dense, experimental style and multiple narrative threads challenging or confusing to follow. MOBI and Digital Availability Illska La Maldad Eirikur Orn Norddahl mobi
Set around 2010 in the wake of the Icelandic financial crisis, the story follows three central figures whose lives collide in Reykjavík:
Digital editions of the novel are available through several major retailers and platforms: The narrative weaves together these contemporary lives with
: The book is polyphonic and "brick-like," utilizing elements of rhetoric, essay, and poetry. It uses multiple timeframes and narrative tricks to engage the reader in a direct, often confrontational dialogue. Critical Reception
: Agnes's boyfriend, a linguist left unemployed by the 2008 economic collapse. Upon discovering Agnes's infidelity, he burns down their home and flees to Europe. : Some readers find the dense, experimental style
: Critics have called it a "pure masterpiece" and a "beautiful and expansive novel" that masterfully handles difficult political and historical topics.