I flew through this book in a matter of days, it was so gripping and engrossing even though it has quite a languorous pace that perfectly matches the slow oppression of the environment it is set in.
The story centres around Liv and the men in her life. There is her dad, Vidar, an ominous presence of few words, none of which are kind, and her son, Simon, her light, her darkness, and the reason for a lot of her decisions. Then there are the many transient interactions she has, and had in her past, with men she hoped she would find escape in. When her small world is rocked secrets surface and their webs move in ever-widening circles enveloping people like the marshes and frosts that are prevalent in the Swedish countryside.
There are twists and turns throughout the book and my speculations about the part characters were playing in the central situation kept being proved wrong right up to the last few pages, where the end revealed itself with perfection.
The writing was first class, the characters were drawn with such depth and the descriptions of Ödesmark and the family home were rich, encompassing not only what was seen but what was smelled and felt by the inhabitants. I will be seeking out more books by Stina Jackson, for sure
The story centres around Liv and the men in her life. There is her dad, Vidar, an ominous presence of few words, none of which are kind, and her son, Simon, her light, her darkness, and the reason for a lot of her decisions. Then there are the many transient interactions she has, and had in her past, with men she hoped she would find escape in. When her small world is rocked secrets surface and their webs move in ever-widening circles enveloping people like the marshes and frosts that are prevalent in the Swedish countryside.
There are twists and turns throughout the book and my speculations about the part characters were playing in the central situation kept being proved wrong right up to the last few pages, where the end revealed itself with perfection.
The writing was first class, the characters were drawn with such depth and the descriptions of Ödesmark and the family home were rich, encompassing not only what was seen but what was smelled and felt by the inhabitants. I will be seeking out more books by Stina Jackson, for sure