“The ax and earth shall guard them best.”
– A statement that in 1550 sealed the fate of the Icelandic Bishop of Holar, Jon Arason, and his two sons, Ari and Björn – and the future of the Icelandic nation following the Reformation.

The story is masterfully told, the hand of a craftsman has chiselled the moving dialogue. One of the unusual qualities of this story is how the smaller drama, of the people behind the scenes, the wives, children and mothers, is made part of the larger drama. Catholic priest or not, Rev. Björn has a wife and family, as does his brother Ari. The inner family drama is no less compelling than the external conflict, with the sons repeatedly torn between duty to their father, to their families and to their own consciences.

This is a historical novel of faith and doubt, of power and oppression, peopled with characters who step forward larger than life from the mists of the past. With human qualities that make their tragedy only tangible in our own principle-testing times.

The Icelandic Literary Prize 2003
The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize 2003

R E V I E W S

“You have to read this novel.”
Mikael Torfason, DV Newspaper

“Strikingly good. A novel of power and magnitude, compiled with great insight and compelling intensity.”
PBB, Channel 2

“The Ax and Earth is a historical novel about … the struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism, old values and new freedoms, ritual and progress …
This work is both brutal and lyrical … I recommend it very highly.”
Michael Hirst, author of Elizabeth (1998) and The Tudors

“Absolutely compelling. This book was worth waiting for.”
Thorgerdur E. Sigurdardottir, The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service

“Both exciting and powerful … I couldn’t put this book down.”
Ulfhildur Dagsdottir, The Literature Web, Reykjavik City Library

“A grand and ambitious saga …
The chapters on the execution of Jon Arason and his sons are very dramatic and will strike a chord with all readers.”
Kolbrun Bergthorsdottir, Frettabladid newspaper

“Exceedingly well written.”
Bryndis Loftsdottir, Frettabladid newspaper