Description

Book Synopsis

In a remote part of Iceland, a boy and his friend Barður join a boat to fish for cod. A winter storm surprises them out at sea and Barður, who has forgotten his waterproof as he was too absorbed in 'Paradise Lost', succumbs to the ferocious cold and dies. Appalled by the death and by the fishermen's callous ability to set about gutting the fatal catch, the boy leaves the village, intending to return the book to its owner.

The extreme hardship and danger of the journey is of little consequence to him - he has already resolved to join his friend in death. But once in the town he immerses himself in the stories and lives of its inhabitants, and decides that he cannot be with his friend just yet.

Set at the turn of the twentieth century, Heaven and Hell is a perfectly formed, vivid and timeless story, lyrical in style, and as intense a reading experience as the forces of the Icelandic landscape themselves. An outstandingly moving novel.



Trade Review
'A glinting treasure' Der Spiegel. * Der Spiegel *
'An outstanding narrative ... like a long breath from the depths of the sea' Nils C. Ahl, Le Monde. * Nils C. Ahl, Le Monde *
'The author has a lyrical, poetic style ... the action unfolds vividly and dramatically, and the reader feels part of the scene. The combination creates an unusually intense reading experience' Alannah Hopkinson, Irish Examiner. * Irish Examiner *

Heaven and Hell

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by Jón Kalman Stefánsson, Philip Roughton, Roughton, Phil

    £9.49

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 30 Sep 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Quercus Publishing
      Published 1 September 2011
      ISBN-13 9781849164061
      978-1849164061
      ISBN-10 1849164061
      Also in:
      Contemporary Fiction

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      In a remote part of Iceland, a boy and his friend Barður join a boat to fish for cod. A winter storm surprises them out at sea and Barður, who has forgotten his waterproof as he was too absorbed in 'Paradise Lost', succumbs to the ferocious cold and dies. Appalled by the death and by the fishermen's callous ability to set about gutting the fatal catch, the boy leaves the village, intending to return the book to its owner.

      The extreme hardship and danger of the journey is of little consequence to him - he has already resolved to join his friend in death. But once in the town he immerses himself in the stories and lives of its inhabitants, and decides that he cannot be with his friend just yet.

      Set at the turn of the twentieth century, Heaven and Hell is a perfectly formed, vivid and timeless story, lyrical in style, and as intense a reading experience as the forces of the Icelandic landscape themselves. An outstandingly moving novel.



      Trade Review
      'A glinting treasure' Der Spiegel. * Der Spiegel *
      'An outstanding narrative ... like a long breath from the depths of the sea' Nils C. Ahl, Le Monde. * Nils C. Ahl, Le Monde *
      'The author has a lyrical, poetic style ... the action unfolds vividly and dramatically, and the reader feels part of the scene. The combination creates an unusually intense reading experience' Alannah Hopkinson, Irish Examiner. * Irish Examiner *

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