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2000s: A story of an Icelandic fishing village
2000s: A story of an Icelandic fishing village
In this story we hear the voices of an Icelandic fishing village. On a summer’s day a young woman in a polka-dot dress cycles down the main street. Her name is Kata and she is the village choir conductor. As she passes, we glimpse the members of the village: a priest with a gambling habit, an old brother and sister who have not talked for years, and a sea captain who has lost his son. But perhaps the most interesting story of all belongs to the young woman on the bicycle. Why is she reticent to talk about her past?
Set in the Icelandic fishing community (population 2000) of Valeyri, around 2010, the novel opens:
The mist. It comes off the sea and slides along the spit. Every summer’s day. it creeps up the fjord as evening approaches, noses around the slopes and foothills and slips into the village, where it curls around the boats in the harbour and licks the corners of the houses, before lifting itself upwards just enough for me to be able to peep through people’s windows.
I see the secrets, I see the people cooking, peeing, pottering or skulking about. Some weep, some listen, some stare. I see people silent, or screaming into their pillows. I see people throwing out rubbish and useless memories, and I do not look away. I never look away. I see all.
Destination:Iceland, “Valeyri” Author/guide: Gudmundur Andri Thorsson Departure Time: 2000s
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