1252 AD. A bloody civil war grips Iceland. Gissur Thorvaldsson, leader of the powerful Haukadalur clan, has returned to Iceland to attempt to make his peace with the Sturlungs. As a token of good faith, he offers to marry his son to the daughter of the Sturlung leader. At the fine estate Modruvellir dwells the local hero Eyjolfur Ofsi. While he is prepared to accept Gissur’s outstretched hand, his wife is not about to forgive Gissur her father’s and grandfather’s deaths. Generous and easygoing in the daytime, Eyjolfur’s mood darkens as night falls. Feelings of inferiority fester like a cancer inside him, leading to a fateful outcome.

• The Icelandic Literary Prize 2009
• Nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2010

English translation available