Under the Glacier

I bought this to learn about Iceland in preparation for a trip to Iceland, to, in fact, the very location of this story. Through literature one can learn a lot about a people, but I found the novel incomprehensible, dull and slow. I couldn't even understand what was going on (not going on?) in the novel. I persevered, but found the Icelandic sagas a lot more comprehensible. Arrival, Iceland. Cottage "Under the Glacier." Abysmal weather. Wandering rebel rams in the rain. Every restaurant serving "cake" and I think "Cake is definitely an Icelandic obsession." Trapped in the cottage by wind and rain; rain hits the cottage at a 90 degree angle. I think of making a documentary about the futility of clothes pins (blowing in the wind and rain -- kind of made a joke out of the clothesline). Self-clean cottage, I'm obliged to wash linen for the next people staying there. The clutch on the car (rented from the guy who owns the cottage) is about to go out -- barely goes into first or reverse. I return to working on a novel I had thought was a dead end. Three days of this. Drive (1/4 mile, but the wind, the rain) to the Primus Cafe (named for the most interesting character in this novel) order "meatballs." They are delicious. There are four kinds of cake. Bottomline: I learned a lot more about Iceland from this novel than I knew.

Halldor Laxness continues to amaze me. His"independent people" is one of my top favorite books.Under the Glacier is really a nice book. It is probably hard to understand or enjoy reading but it has great meaning and terms!Under the Glacier is set in the remote rural area in Iceland where certain women can raise the dead, people are sometimes turned into great salmon. It's also the story of an Australian millionaire who has built great house right behind the ruined church, and whose apostles include a trio of unwashed "winter-Pasture Shepherds" supposed to chop his dead head when he dies to assure "Lord Maitreya return after three thousand years to redeem the world".EmBi(short for Emissary of the Bishop) is the 24 year old theology student who was sent to investigate the bitter existing truth; does Christianity exist at Glacier? did the local pastor "Jon Primus" lose his faith? did he really allow a corpse to be deposited in the Glacier? Why has the local pastor boarded up the church, refused his salary and become a blacksmith and handyman? Where is his long-missing wife?Through the rapid events of the story;Laxness argues in a very sensational way about how stupid and feeble the traditional costums of any religion (Christianity, Buddhism, Muhammadanism)."Oh, no, better to be silent. That is what the glacier does. That is what the lilies of the field do."The Highly dedicated religious EmBi who describes himself as "puritan!" at the end of the story, is lost in lust, love and "uncertain balance", lost between what is real and phantom, what is right or wrong, good or bad??This is very powerful story, it starts in slow and tedious dialog, but ends up in very charming, mysterious tragedy.Good job Halldor! Five stars

I wanted to read one of Laxness' books and this one, and not Independent People, caught my attention, because of its unique plot. Believe me, this book is UNIQUE. I often found myself not having a clue about what was going on, but there was always something ahead letting me know that THAT was the point: to make you feel as confused as the bishop's emissary. I agree that this is not a 5 star book, because Laxness often rambles about the same over and over to make you feel consfused, and that can become annoying. Of course, I understood what was really going on at the very end and THAT makes this book worth reading. Is it hilarious like some reviewers and Susan Sontag claim? Hmmm... I guess I don't get icelandic humor. I smiled a few times, but I wouldn't say it's "the funniest book ever written". However, I liked it enough to buy the 1989 movie adaptation, directed by Laxness' granddaughter, which is as confusing as the book. One piece of advice, DO NOT READ the introduction because it gives away crucial points in the plot.

The bishop of Iceland sends an emissary to investigate the state of Christianity in the small town of Glacier, where the church building is falling apart, the children aren't being baptized, the dead aren't being buried, and a casket has supposedly been deposited on a glacier.A couple of my favorite observations from Pastor Jón of Glacier:"When I discovered that history is a fable, and a poor one at that, I started looking for a better fable, and found theology.""Whoever doesn't live in poetry cannot survive here on earth."I think this novel would appeal to fans of  Hermann Hesse , C.S. Lewis's  Space Trilogy , Olaf Stapledon's " The Last and First Men ," and Doris Lessing's " Shikasta ."

The MBC Reviews "Under the Glacier" by Halldor Laxness. Ardow introduced the author and spoke of his career, itinerant life, and his wavering political and religious affiliations. The Noble Prize winner in literature, Laxness was born and died in Iceland; the cause of death, Alzheimer's disease. He wrote this book in 1968 but it was translated to English and published in the U.S. in 2005. Maria reviewed Susan Sontag's essay as well as the book. She presented another facet of the book that was ignored by Sontag, and she presented her reason of choosing the book. The group members were sharply divided on their reactions to the text and plot, and presented contrasting opinions: from Bob and Sheila and Alan who were utterly disgusted with the book to the other side of the isle that included Maria and Mo and the Hoppers who were pleased with the text, plot and liked the dreamy ending

The book was delivered quite quickly. I, like many, appreciate the rapid and professional delivery service. I have started reading the book and have a hard time putting it down to do other things. It is fascinating, simple to read (I love the format), the humour and the cover as well as binding of the book; I love its quality (just holding the book can give an idea of the quality). Under The Glacier is definitely a collector's item.

no conocía al autor y me enganchó una crítica, así que decidí comprarlo y considero leer más libros de él; muy buena compra!

I'm sure it lost something in translation, but I gave up around page 90.

Folks, this book was recommended to me by the guide on a tourbus in Iceland. Did you know Iceland had a Nobelprize winner? I did not and do now. Under the Glacier is an evocative, profound, understated work sprinkled with bone dry humour, farmer's wisdom , religious philosophy about life and death, resurrection, nature and the power of women, and why the lilies in the field don't toil. Laxness' is a unique voice.

Having recently visited Iceland and seen Halldor Laxness's books everywhere, I wanted to try one and this seemed like a light introduction to his work. Given that the author won the Nobel prize for literature my expectations were high. However I find this book almost impossible to review as I understood so little - it is dreamlike, confusing, and very, very strange, unlike anything I have every read. I didn't find it funny, and to be honest was glad when I had turned the last strange page