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The Blue Fox

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The Blue Fox by Sjon, Victoria Cribb, set in late 19th century Iceland, weaves together an historical story of the naturalist Fridrik and his ward Abba who suffers from Down's Syndrome, with that of a local priest and his quest for the mystical and elusive blue fox. The novella reflects the harshness of Icelandic life and culture at an earlier time, including the mistreatment of individuals with Down's Syndrome, while also incorporating elements of magical realism and creating an otherworldly atmosphere in the Icelandic winter. The narrative explores themes of fate, life, human nature, and the intertwining of different characters' lives against the backdrop of a Nordic fairytale-like setting.

Characters:

The characters are complex, including a determined priest and a compassionate herbalist, who grapple with their relationships and the consequences of their actions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is poetic and lyrical, using concise language that creates a contemplative and vivid atmosphere.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot combines a tale of a priest's obsession with hunting a blue fox with the story of a herbalist and his ward, emphasizing the connection between humans and nature.

Setting:

The setting is a stark depiction of late 19th century Iceland, emphasizing the harshness and beauty of the landscape.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and contemplative, fostering a deep engagement with the story despite its brevity.
On Saturday 18 April 1868 a great cargo ship ran aground at Onglabrjotsnef on the Reykjanes peninsula, a black-tarred triple-master with three decks. The third mast had been chopped down, by which mea...

Notes:

The Blue Fox is written by Icelandic poet Sjon, whose pen name means 'sight'.
The novella is set in 1883 and is only 115 pages long.
It blends elements of poetry, prose, and fairy tale.
The story focuses on nature, Icelandic culture, and the mystical aspects of life.
The narrative features two main storylines: a priest hunting a blue fox and a naturalist caring for a girl with Down's syndrome.
The book explores themes of life, death, shamanism, and metamorphosis.
It is described as having a dreamlike quality and magical realism elements.
Readers have found the translation both effective and revealing of the original Icelandic prose.
Multiple interpretations are encouraged, as the novella is rich with symbolism and hidden meanings.
The author is known for his lyrical writing style that captures the brutality and beauty of Iceland's landscape.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers and content warnings may include themes surrounding mental health, violence, and the treatment of individuals with disabilities.

From The Publisher:

An original mix of folk tale and thriller, set against the beautiful Icelandic landscape.

Ratings (3)

Loved It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (7):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (4)

About the Author:

Sjon was born in Reykjavik in 1962. His first collection of poetry was published when he was sixteen. He has gone on to publish many poetry collections, novels, plays and books for children. He has received numerous literary awards, and was nominated for an Academy Award for the music for Dancer In The Dark, directed by Lars von Trier Translator Victoria Cribb lived in Iceland for many years. She now lives in London, where she teaches an undergraduate course in Icelandic. Her translations include three novels in collaboration with Olaf Olafsson, as well as numerous other pieces of fiction and non-fiction,

 
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