The Unseen by Roy Jacobsen

The Unseen

Roy Jacobsen

Life on the tiny island is taken just as it comes, as a matter of fact. The storms, the warm summers, the freezing cold winters, the hard work. All of this is part of Ingrid's small world. Beautifully written in short, clear, almost Zen-like sentences, this story about nature, perseverance, growing up and working together will make a lasting impression on almost everyone.

Extract
Occasionally they receive visitors from the other islands. Then their guests are served food and coffee and talk non-stop and all at the same time, for words build up in the islanders and at some point have to come out. When they are empty they go home again and begin to collect new things to say. But no strangers ever come on casual visits.
Parallels
  • The Outrun by Amy Liptrot
  • Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
  • Seacrow Island by Astrid Lindgren