'The Unseen' by Roy Jacobsen follows the life of the Barroy family living on a small Norwegian island, focusing on their struggles, isolation, and resilience against the harsh climate. The novel depicts their day-to-day challenges, interactions with the mainland, and the gradual changes that disrupt their traditional way of life. Through poetic yet lean prose, the book captures the essence of life on the island, portraying a timeless narrative of survival, adaptation, and the impact of modernization on a remote community.
The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Ingrid, offering a glimpse into the family dynamics, the cyclical nature of existence on the island, and the subtle evolution of their world over several decades. With a blend of vivid vignettes and atmospheric storytelling, 'The Unseen' paints a rich portrait of a family deeply connected to nature, weathering both physical and emotional storms as they navigate the challenges of their environment and the encroaching changes of the outside world.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
From The Publisher:
Barrøy Island off the North-western coast of Norway - a holdfast for a single family, their livestock, their crops, their hopes and dreams. And their fears. There is a taint passed down the Barrøy line, and Hans and Maria Barrøy fear their daughter Ingrid may be affected.
The early years of the twentieth century prove that Norway cannot stand apart from the wider world - no more than Barrøy island can remain at a remove from the rest of Norway. Hans Barrøy decides to build a quay so that his family can be properly connected to the mainland and with neighbouring islands.
In time, Ingrid is sent to serve with one of the rich families on the coast, caring for their two children. But when tragedy strikes - twice in quick succession - she finds herself responsible not only for two newly orphaned children, but for Barrøy Island itself. If they are to survive, she and the other young must learn how to tame this remote earthly paradise for themselves.
(P)2016 W F Howes Ltd
Reader Stats (3):
Want To Read (3) |
What can you read after
The Unseen?
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
