A gripping tale of a brilliant mind trapped by his own obsessions, this novel delves into the dark side of genius—where creativity ignites not just insight, but delusions and paranoia. A fascinating exploration of how extraordinary intellect can fuel both brilliance and madness.

Many of history’s most brilliant thinkers have faced adversity due to their unorthodox views and lifestyles. This is a novel centered around one of them, the renowned American chess prodigy, Bobby Fischer – a man who wielded absolute control on the chessboard but saw life outside it as a relentless distraction.

In the middle of the Cold War, representatives of East and West fought a battle at the chessboard in the small city of Reykjavík. A world title was at stake and the West won. The young winner was eccentric and uncompromising, but the locals sympathized with him and did not forget his achievement.

Years later, this fearless loner has run afoul of his home country’s government and sits in a Japanese prison, lonely and disgraced. Then benefactors from the island in the north take matters into their own hands and retrieve the world champion from halfway across the globe – but the escape to Iceland is bought at a high price.

“The character study is masterfully well-written.”
GRETA EINARSDOTTIR, VIDSJA/ICELANDIC NATIONAL BROADCASTING SERVICE

“… a captivating narrative about a lost genius who is a lifelong prisoner of his rugged temperament, artistically composed by the storytelling master Einar Karason.”
BB NEWS

“Karason demonstrates literary levels beyond most Swedish literature with minimal means. … The translator John Swedenmark has, as usual, worked wonders – it’s a masterful Swedish prose text.”
CHRISTIAN MUNTHE, SWEDEN