I finished this novel several days ago and have been thinking about it ever since. It is a multi-layered book with characters that stay with you. The first part of the book is related in the first person by Freya Morris, a young woman living in New York who is remembering her childhood in Connecticut with her widowed mother and the summers spent in Gimli, Canada with her Icelandic immigrant extended family. It is a family seeped in Icelandic tradition and most of their communication with the child Freya is an attempt to impart this knowledge to her. She is lectured continually about ancient family connections back to the 8th century. But there is no real communication about recent family events and relationships. Her grandmother and especially her mother's sister Birdie, fill her with legend and history. She is especially drawn to Birdie, who struggles with manic and depressive moods and has been in and out of institutions. A key element in the plot is Freya's being "tricked" into a trip to Iceland with Birdie, which creates a crucial turning point in the story. The second part of the book takes the form of a journal that Freya addresses to a cousin she believes exists and her search for her. As she attempts to unravel her mother's relationship to Birdie, she finds more and more events that were kept from her. This culminates in a second trip to Iceland where she must come to terms with her life.
Sunley spends a lot of time describing Icelandic language, culture, history, religion, and geography. At times I thought I was reading a Tour Guide to Iceland and it was a little disconcerting. But in fairness, I would have to say that this information is central to understanding the characters and their stories. I would definitely recommend this book.
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