A mesmerizing journey through mystical intrigue and transformative times.
In the early summer of 1925, the youngest, most beautiful and most reluctant bishop in the history of Iceland summons the country’s priests to the small town of Isafjordur. His purpose is to solidify the power of Christianity and suppress the spread of spiritualism. However, his schemes set off an unforeseen chain of events that span seven tumultuous days. Life in the town takes a sharp detour as inexplicable and catastrophic phenomena unfold, leaving the townspeople grappling with the question of whether the nature of these occurrences is scientific or divine.
The Natural Laws is a captivating novel with a glittering tinge of fantasy that offers a distinctive and carnivalesque portrayal of life in a small Icelandic town. Fact and fiction are juggled freely, capturing the town’s atmosphere and local memories, to weave an exhilarating and thrilling narrative.
Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize 2023
“Full of humour and written with great eloquence. The story is characterised by exuberant storytelling, stylistic artistry and an original plot. Despite the vigour and lightness the story tackles big philosophical questions which results in a substantial and remarkable novel.”
COMMENTS FROM THE ICELANDIC LITERARY PRIZE’ JURY 2023
“… I found myself missing the novel when I wasn’t reading it … Wow and bravo!”
SUNNA D MASDOTTIR, KILJAN / NATIONAL TV
“We’ll just say it: Bravo!”
EGILL HEGASON, KILJAN / KILJAN/NATIONAL TV
“[The Natural Laws] is an uncontrollably fun book.”
THORGEIR TRYGGVASON, KILJAN / NATIONAL TV
★★★★
FOUR STARS OUT OF FIVE POSSIBLE
“An immensely ambitious philosophical novel and social depiction dealing with the biggest questions of the kingdom of God and man.”
THORSTEINN VILHJALMSSON, HEIMILDIN WEEKLY
★★★★★
FOUR AND A HALF STARS OUR OF FIVE POSSIBLE
“The Natural Laws by Eirikur Orn Norddahl is definitely the most entertaining Icelandic novel to be published this year. I can assert that even though I haven’t read them all.”
KRISTJAN JOHANN JONSSON, MORGUNBLADID DAILY
“Eirikur Orn Norddahl excels in The Natural Laws. The book literally sparkles with joy of narration and wonderful humor. Yet, it confronts various serious existential questions and challenges fate in a uniquely Icelandic way. This story is simply wonderful from beginning to end. … Eirikur is an excellent stylist … some chapters in this long book are read over and over again because they are so entertaining and thought-provoking.”
EVA H GUDMUNDSDOTTIR, LIFDU NUNA MAGAZINE
