The Greenlanders by Jane Smiley is a compelling and unforgettable novel set in Greenland, depicting a tough life in a tough landscape with realistically portrayed but not always lovable characters. The narrative weaves together accounts of a multitude of small events involving different families in various locations, creating a realistic and credible portrayal of the struggles faced by a relict Viking community in Greenland.

The writing style of The Greenlanders is described as unique, resembling that of an actual Norse or Scandinavian saga with a spare, stark, and almost Biblical voice. The story is epic in scope, covering decades and taking characters from youth to old age, creating a vivid and memorable experience for readers who are willing to invest the effort in navigating the challenging prose and complex character dynamics.

Characters:

Characters reflect the harsh realities of their environment, lacking clear moral distinctions, and are often difficult to distinguish due to the complex naming structure.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is stark and sparse, echoing traditional Icelandic sagas, delivering events with dispassionate clarity and a focus on atmosphere.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the historical decline of a Norse settlement in Greenland, detailing the challenges faced by its inhabitants and the gradual loss of their society.

Setting:

The setting is rooted in medieval Greenland, characterized by its harsh climate and the challenges posed by environmental deterioration.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow, emphasizing gradual decay and atmosphere, requiring readers to adjust and invest time to fully appreciate the narrative.

ASGEIR GUNNARSSON FARMED AT GUNNARS STEAD NEAR Undir Hofdi church in Austfjord. His homefield was nearly as large as the homefield at Gardar, where the absent bishop had his seat, and he had another l...

Notes:

The Greenlanders depicts the decline of a Norse settlement in Greenland over 500 years.

It portrays the harsh environment of Greenland, particularly during the Little Ice Age.

The narrative is presented in a style similar to old Icelandic sagas, with sparse and unemotional language.

Characters often face sudden and brutal ends, reflecting a harsh reality of life in that time.

The Greenland community becomes increasingly isolated as trade with the Viking world becomes difficult.

The story features conflicts with the Inuit people, referred to as skraelings by the Greenlanders.

The book highlights the simplistic and superstitious nature of the Greenlanders' belief system.

There is a notable lack of romance and deep emotional connections among characters.

Readers find the writing style challenging but rewarding, requiring patience to fully appreciate the narrative.

The author, Jane Smiley, is praised for her extensive research into the historical context of the Greenlanders.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of death, violence, famine, plague, and environmental decay.

From The Publisher:

This enthralling epic tale, written in the tradition of the old Norse sagas, takes us to fourteenth-century Greenland-a farflung place of glittering fjords, blasting winds, sun-warmed meadows, and high, dark mountains. This is the story of one family: proud landowner Asgeir Gunnarsson; his daughter Margret, whose willful independence leads her into passionate adultery and exile; and his son Gunnar, whose quest for knowledge is at the compelling center of this unforgettable book. Jane Smiley immerses us in this world of farmers, priests, and lawspeakers, of hunts and feasts and long-standing feuds, and by an act of literary magic, makes a remote time, place, and people not only real but dear to us.

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1 comment(s)

adrcat669

Incredible

1 month

One of the best HF books out there. Not for the faint of heart or those who don't appreciate Icelandic sagas and deep-dive into medieval human psyche

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About the Author:

Jane Smiley is the author of numerous novels, including A Thousand Acres, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, and most recently, Golden Age, the concluding volume of The Last Hundred Years trilogy. She is also the author of five works of nonfiction and a series of books for young adults. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, she has also received the PEN Center USA Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature. She lives in Northern California.

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The Greenlanders

Jane Smiley