A riveting story of a young woman who takes fate into her own hands. A genuinely entertaining story, rich in thrilling plot twists and incredible events!
How do you turn old gold into priceless treasure?
At the turn of the 20th century, Sigurlina finds herself in a hopeless situation. She is the motherless daughter of an eccentric father, who expects her to spend her life helping him catalogue Icelandic archaeological artifacts.
But Sigurlina has her own ambitions of education and excitement and after a harrowing experience, takes fate into her own hands. She disappears from Reykjavik, along with a historical relic from her father’s collection. Through a series of incredible events, the artifact is unveiled at The Metropolitan Museum of New York. Meanwhile, officials in Iceland launch their own investigation into the theft of the artifact.
A tragicomic tale about the preservation of cultural treasure, an intriguing perspective on the coincidences that have determined their place in history and a thrilling and winding story of the human fates that underpin it all.
• Icelandic Winner of The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) 2021
REVIEWS
“Embroidery is written by an author with a clear artistic vision and a strong command of form and style.
The story is by no means a traditional coming-of-age story, but rather a merciless twisting and turning of every tradition. The narrative is concise and free of verbosity. Subtle suggestions excite in the reader a desire to keep up with the story as it steams ahead, providing surprises at every turn and finally cutting short all expectations of a traditional ending. The story also explores how the cultural identity of a nation is being shaped, a nation which at the turn of the 20th century was one of Europe’s poorest and least developed.
How do events acquire historical significance? How are cultural values created? Every aspect comes into play: the nation’s heritage and the shaky foundations on which the historical perspective of each society is built, but also class divisions, the position of women in society, Iceland’s position in the world, the position of foreign labour in New York at the end of the 19th century, and last but not least the narrative form.
Embroidery is a work of fiction that is both original and modern, but at the same time extremely accessible and entertaining.”
JURY REPORT, EUROPEAN UNION PRIZE FOR LITERATURE 2021
“Written with a rare artistic talent.”
GUDMUNDUR ANDRI THORSSON, WRITER
“Overwhelmingly pleasant reading.”
EGILL HELGASON, KILJAN, ICELAND STATE TV
“An unabashedly creative plot inhabits this work. … Hugely entertaining. … energy and speed … a suspense novel with an intricate plot. … The suspense is compelling … this is a great book to read on Christmas night.”
THORGEIR TRYGGVASON, KILJAN, ICELAND STATE TV
“I just loved this book. An interesting presentation of the story …”
GUDRUN BALDVINSDOTTIR, KILJAN, ICELAND STATE TV
“Playfulness, mirth and fun characterize the storytelling …
The story of Sigurlina’s runaround journey from Iceland to New York isn’t a thriller, but the plot is at times very thrilling. …
The story is also amusing and fascinating … it gives a good insight into the lives of the people of Reykjavik around the turn of the 20th century, but also into the riveting reality of living in New York in a very interesting time in the city’s history …
I found myself not wanting to put the book down … if only to draw out the reading experience and really build up the anticipation and excitement that came from reading about Sigurlina’s travels.”
VERA KNUTSDOTTIR, BOKMENNTABORGIN.IS
“An excellent novel, highly original.”
BJORN THOR VILHJALMSSON, VIDSJA, ICELANDIC NATIONAL BROADCASTING SERVICE
“Funny and original, erudite and subtle.”
THIERRY MARICOURT, SITE VOYAGE DANS LES LETTRES NORDIQUES, FRANCE
“… invigorating like a fresh Icelandic breeze!”
DAMIEN AUBEL, TRANSFUGE, FRANCE
“Without appearing to be so, this exhilarating story is first and foremost a story of female liberation.”
MARIE CHARREL, LE MONDE DES LIVRES, FRANCE
