قصة الكتاب :
Independent People is a novel by Icelandic author Halldór Laxness that was originally published in two volumes in 1934 and 1935. This book, along with several other of his works helped Laxness win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955. The book was out of print for decades since it was first published. It is a tasteful mix of satire, pathos, humor, cold weather and sheep. The setting of the novel is rural Iceland in the early twentieth century. The novel stands out for its depiction of social realism and was a pioneer in this regard in the 1930s. It is considered by many to be an indictment of materialism and capitalism. The plot revolves around the poor plight of Icelandic farmers trapped in debt bondages in the early 20th century.\r\n
\r\nThe protagonist is Gudbjartur Jonsson who is commonly referred to in the novel as Bjartur of Summerhouses, an ordinary sheep farmer. The story is about Bjatur’s determination to achieve freedom. After eighteen years spent in servitude to Bailiff of Myri, Bjatur’s only dream is to be able to raise flocks without being indebted to anyone. Bjatur is a stubborn, old man who keeps his wife and sheep in a sod house. His wife dies cold and alone while giving birth to the daughter of Bailiff’s son. Bjatur takes on his daughter like it’s another test of his independence. Bjatur later has another wife and three more sons. Although hard times befall him, Bjatur is shown as being able to survive them all with his ferocious independence. The quality seems self-destructive at times as it does not seem to make his life better. It’s only purpose is to be able to attain freedom from his employer. Through his writing, Laxness exposes the hypocrisy of the upper classes. Bjatur himself has been portrayed as a multi-faceted character who is both tender and ruthless. His quest for independence seems to find its match in his own daughter, who too wants freedom from him. The outcome of this is a battle of wills that is both harsh and touching, emotionally intensive and intimate in detail. Bjatur is so obsessed with his desire for financial independence that he refuses to let nothing come in his way be it the weather, the War or even his own family. The only character in the story who has the ability to pierce his heart is his equally stubborn daughter, Asta Sollilja. \r\n
\r\nThe central theme of the novel is that of independence and whether what one gives up in order to achieve it is worth it. The book ends with Bjatur remaining unaware of how much his quest for independence has done damage to those around him including himself. He owes no one anything and achieving that means everything to him. Independent People was a bestseller in the United States when it was first published and continues to remain a fascinating read replete with Laxness’ humour and excellent examination of human shortcomings at all levels of society. \r\n