This year I was offered the chance of discovering many Nordic, particularly Iceland-based ´Noir´ writers, and my revelation was that every one of the books I´ve read do have a particular approach on this very difficult genre. Nor only that compared to books belonging to other geographical areas, the reader may encounter many more women characters, not only as victims, but equally as investigators, but the choice of topic and its development are very different.
The Commandments by Óskar Guðmundsson, translated by the indefatigable promoter of Icelandic writers Quentin Bates, the newest publishing achievement of the courageous Corylus Books that I´ve introduced to my readers on several occasions already, confirmed my assumption. I will further explain why.
In a village close to the Arctic Circle, the local priest is the victim of a violent murder. Salka Steinsdóttir, a former police detective who returned to the peaceful countryside in order to recover from a traumatic family episode, is in charge with the investigation. There are personal encounters which may interfer which may distract her, but just for a while. Her policewoman habits are stronger than love, a proof of her strength of character and resilience.
There are hints about the reasons of the crime from the very beginning, and the reader may be convinced sometimes that justice was delivered, although in a relatively non-conventional way. However, the story is more complex than that and within this predictable framework, the author creates suspense and introduces unexpected twists.
Approaching a topic of continous actuality - mainly the cases of sexual abuses among the members of the Iceland clergy - The Commandments is a dark depiction of raw feelings, driven by revenge and wounded by abusive behavior tolerated until the social pressure became too strong to keep hiding everything under the carpet. The matter-of-factness of those involved, particularly the priest, is part of the moral ambiguity pertaining to some of the questions raised by the book.
This unique take on crime writing makes this book, as a representative of Iceland Noir, a very strong literary contribution to the genre. For many, Iceland may sound as a happy place, where nothing bad can happen - except some banking collapse once in a while. It makes the reader curious to see the country beyond the travel listicles and stereotypical Nordic Lights recommendations. Although in a very dark way, it makes the country and its story real and enticing.
A special mention for the cover, which resonates fully with the Gothic ambiance of the book.
The Commandments is intended to be the first installment of a series featuring Salka Steinsdóttir and I can´t wait to read more by Óskar Guðmundsson.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
Sounds interesting. Never read a crime novel from Iceland.
ReplyDeleteYou can check on my blog other crime novels made in Iceland. There are a couple of good ones published lately!
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