Book Review: Independent People by Halldor Laxness
Inspired by a BookRiot tip, I've decided to start cataloguing the books I've just read. Unlike in years past, I would say that I've started the year right as far as catching up on reading is concerned (I am a certified book hoarder with shelves of books still waiting to be read!!!). I managed to read three in January...though I must say that not all of them have been pleasurable reads.
I'll start with my favourite, one that I genuinely enjoyed reading, Icelandic Halldor Laxness's IndependentPeople, supposedly the masterpiece that secured him a Nobel Prize. Though vast in scope, what makes this book a stand-out for me is largely its remarkable protagonist, the supremely stoic Bjartur, a highly developed character like no other. As the book's introduction has captured well, Bjartur is that immortal literary character not unlike Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) or Gregor Samsa (Kafka's Metamorphosis), a character that sticks with the reader, long after one has put the book down. Superficially, Bjartur is but a stupid, opinionated sheep farmer, who lives singularly for his sheep to the exclusion of everything and everyone else. But as the story unfolds, one begins to appreciate the complexity of his character, a crofter who has just been freed from years of servitude, and who continues to fight for freedom and independence across many levels - including freedom from the "contraction of the human soul". And that he too is a poet who considers poetry his ultimate refuge when faced with the harshest of situations, i.e., when caught in the worst blizzard of his life, and equally, when caught in the most challenging emotional fight of his life.
Set in early 20th century Iceland, the novel also follows the peaks and troughs of sheep farming along with Iceland's own journey as a nation. For the most part in that era, an Icelandic farmer's struggle is characterised by fundamental survival against an unyielding terrain and the punishing forces of nature, and consequently the struggle against basic poverty. However, there is brief respite from the tough times, which ironically comes during the Great War - when the rest of Europe, including its great cities, has been razed down and its peoples in dire straits. But this contrast in peace and economic climate also only helps to highlight Iceland's seclusion, both geographically and culturally, from the rest of the continent or the world - while it is part of Europe, it is not totally in synch with the continent's political and ideological struggles (in fact, the characters seem to identify more with an American Dream, rather than a European Dream). And so with Iceland unscathed from the first world war, farmers like Bjartur enjoy good times as the price of mutton and wool improves. The times are seemingly so good that even the hardened and cynical Bjartur is led to believe that his long-held dream of building a proper home can be achieved easily. In the end of course, falling into this false illusion, encouraged by big-time politicians, has led him to one of his biggest heartbreaks (if not the biggest).
I'll start with my favourite, one that I genuinely enjoyed reading, Icelandic Halldor Laxness's IndependentPeople, supposedly the masterpiece that secured him a Nobel Prize. Though vast in scope, what makes this book a stand-out for me is largely its remarkable protagonist, the supremely stoic Bjartur, a highly developed character like no other. As the book's introduction has captured well, Bjartur is that immortal literary character not unlike Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) or Gregor Samsa (Kafka's Metamorphosis), a character that sticks with the reader, long after one has put the book down. Superficially, Bjartur is but a stupid, opinionated sheep farmer, who lives singularly for his sheep to the exclusion of everything and everyone else. But as the story unfolds, one begins to appreciate the complexity of his character, a crofter who has just been freed from years of servitude, and who continues to fight for freedom and independence across many levels - including freedom from the "contraction of the human soul". And that he too is a poet who considers poetry his ultimate refuge when faced with the harshest of situations, i.e., when caught in the worst blizzard of his life, and equally, when caught in the most challenging emotional fight of his life.
Set in early 20th century Iceland, the novel also follows the peaks and troughs of sheep farming along with Iceland's own journey as a nation. For the most part in that era, an Icelandic farmer's struggle is characterised by fundamental survival against an unyielding terrain and the punishing forces of nature, and consequently the struggle against basic poverty. However, there is brief respite from the tough times, which ironically comes during the Great War - when the rest of Europe, including its great cities, has been razed down and its peoples in dire straits. But this contrast in peace and economic climate also only helps to highlight Iceland's seclusion, both geographically and culturally, from the rest of the continent or the world - while it is part of Europe, it is not totally in synch with the continent's political and ideological struggles (in fact, the characters seem to identify more with an American Dream, rather than a European Dream). And so with Iceland unscathed from the first world war, farmers like Bjartur enjoy good times as the price of mutton and wool improves. The times are seemingly so good that even the hardened and cynical Bjartur is led to believe that his long-held dream of building a proper home can be achieved easily. In the end of course, falling into this false illusion, encouraged by big-time politicians, has led him to one of his biggest heartbreaks (if not the biggest).
But among Bjartur's many fights for independence, the most poignant is his desire to have independence from the pain of human emotion. He has hardly expressed any emotions even when struck by multiple adversities, and has at one point even dealt with death clinically so that he can resume attending to his flock. Except for that one big lapse of building a house beyond his means, Bjartur has been largely faithful to his stoicism, both at the material and emotional level, not shedding a tear even when this is justified...at least from a mere mortal's point of view. "No lamentations - never harbour your grief, never mourn what you have lost".
And yet, one finds out that he too, is a human being, and as such, capable of the most fundamental emotions of love specifically for his daughter Asta Sollilja. Bjartur's most profound emotions are reserved for Asta, and this too despite the circumstances surrounding Asta's birth---Bjartur's first wife goes to him already pregnant, and the biological father is Bjartur's ideological enemy (who eventually becomes one of the most influential politician all over Iceland). This has not diminished Bjartur's love for Asta, albeit in his idiosyncratic way, kicks her out of Summerhouses during her most trying time. Asta is, herself, a force to be reckoned with - despite her deep poverty ignores financial help (albeit offered secretly) from her real father as she wages her own war and fights for independence, including from Bjartur of Summerhouses. I won't spoil the rest of the book by revealing how it all unfolds...
There are many more interesting angles in the novel, which is not surprising given its epic scale, but among the many impressions, one more aspect that fascinates me is the loyalty of his dog to Bjartur - "Yes, whatever a man seeks he will find --- in his dog" is an oft-repeated quote in the earlier part of the novel. Towards the end Bjartur comes to the bitter realisation that "the life of the independent man, is in its nature a flight from other men...as long as man is not man's protector". And as he and his party moves from "one night lodging to the next", his loyal dog trails him quietly, stopping now and then to smell fresh spring grass.
The book is an interesting read if only for getting a glimpse of the desolately beautiful terrain and culture of Iceland, which I find captivating. I bought the book from Iceland's airport on my flight out last year, and having read it now, though belatedly, it provides a much valued perspective to the unique terrain that I've seen and admired. And though I've missed visiting Laxness's home, I felt that I would not have appreciated the visit anyway without having read his masterpiece first. Now if ever I'd get the chance to visit, I would have the added perspective of Bjartur in mind when I'd see his creator's home.
I'll tackle the two other books in my next post :-)
#BookReview #HalldorLaxness #Laxness #IndependentPeople #Iceland #MigsReads2015
And yet, one finds out that he too, is a human being, and as such, capable of the most fundamental emotions of love specifically for his daughter Asta Sollilja. Bjartur's most profound emotions are reserved for Asta, and this too despite the circumstances surrounding Asta's birth---Bjartur's first wife goes to him already pregnant, and the biological father is Bjartur's ideological enemy (who eventually becomes one of the most influential politician all over Iceland). This has not diminished Bjartur's love for Asta, albeit in his idiosyncratic way, kicks her out of Summerhouses during her most trying time. Asta is, herself, a force to be reckoned with - despite her deep poverty ignores financial help (albeit offered secretly) from her real father as she wages her own war and fights for independence, including from Bjartur of Summerhouses. I won't spoil the rest of the book by revealing how it all unfolds...
There are many more interesting angles in the novel, which is not surprising given its epic scale, but among the many impressions, one more aspect that fascinates me is the loyalty of his dog to Bjartur - "Yes, whatever a man seeks he will find --- in his dog" is an oft-repeated quote in the earlier part of the novel. Towards the end Bjartur comes to the bitter realisation that "the life of the independent man, is in its nature a flight from other men...as long as man is not man's protector". And as he and his party moves from "one night lodging to the next", his loyal dog trails him quietly, stopping now and then to smell fresh spring grass.
January 2015 Reads
The book is an interesting read if only for getting a glimpse of the desolately beautiful terrain and culture of Iceland, which I find captivating. I bought the book from Iceland's airport on my flight out last year, and having read it now, though belatedly, it provides a much valued perspective to the unique terrain that I've seen and admired. And though I've missed visiting Laxness's home, I felt that I would not have appreciated the visit anyway without having read his masterpiece first. Now if ever I'd get the chance to visit, I would have the added perspective of Bjartur in mind when I'd see his creator's home.
I'll tackle the two other books in my next post :-)
#BookReview #HalldorLaxness #Laxness #IndependentPeople #Iceland #MigsReads2015
