A review by robgrace71
Miss Iceland by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir

3.0

I enjoyed this book by Audor Ava Olafsdottir. This story follows Hekla who is a young women in 1940's Iceland. She is trying to become a writer and finds that in this time period that is a very difficult task. Iceland is heralded for its male poets, but the idea that a women could be among them is foreign. Hekla is seen as a much better candidate for a beauty pageant than for entering the world of writers and poets. In addition to Hekla's struggles we also are introduced to her newly married friend Isey and her gay friend Jon John. Each of these characters is struggling to be themselves and find a place in society. Misfits to some degree, but hoping for more. It's definitely a story about the struggle to be yourself in a society that isn't quite ready for you yet.

In addition to the characters, the country of Iceland is described in lush detail. You can feel that cold winds and the nights that never get dark. Hekla is named after a volcano after all and the country itself seems to be as important part of the story as the characters.