In May, we read The Fish Can Sing by Halldór Laxness. Terrance suggested this Nobel Prize winning author to Chrysanne, who suggested the title to our group. We had never read anything that we could remember from an Icelandic author. Reviews were mixed and we had a great discussion. The Fish Can Sing is a novel of vignettes, which focus on young Alfgrimur, who is fostered by two older people who he refers to as grandfather and grandmother. We see their village through his eyes as he learns the Icelandic customs, music, tales and literature. He meets a diversity of people who come to stay in his house and we meet them through his experience. There was a good discussion about the juxtaposition of small village life with a more worldly life as depicted by the novel. I would say that some loved the book, while others appreciated the book. Definitely a good discussion. Next Book Club meeting is at Ed's in time for peony season on June 12, 2016. We are reading Cindy's choice, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.
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