"Laxness describes the popular reaction to an attempt by the U.S. to buy land for a nuclear base near Reykjavik. He contrasts corruption and decadence in the capital with the simple life of peasants in the north ... Rich, lyrical prose, all expertly interpreted in the translation. Among the many vivid characters, the narrator stands out: her wit, pride, and simplicity bring to mind heroines like Jane Eyre..". -- Booklist.