Date of Review:

12/01/2008

Published Work:

Reviewer:

Robin Nesbitt

Source:

Library Journal

Review Excerpt:

Freya Morris is writing to her cousin. She doesn't know who or where she is, just that she exists, or so Freya believes. Descending from a long line of poets tracing back to Iceland, Freya is recounting her life story to share some day with her missing relative. Based on an offhand comment that Freya overheard, it appears that her aunt Birdie, a nickname for Ingibjorg, gave birth at some point. Freya and her mother, Birdie's sister, hve in Connecticut, and every summer they visit Gimli, a small Canadian town originally settled by Icelanders. Freya and her family are descendants of Olafur, Skald Nyja Islands, or the Poet of New Iceland. Words and poetry are very important in the Icelandic culture, so Freya's family is well respected in Gimli. As with all families, though, all is not perfect.

After a freak accident, Freya is tom between a vibrant but troubled aunt and her mother, who needs and loves her. Sunley's first novel moves among the United States, Canada, and Iceland as it recounts the tale of a fascinating family. Readers learn about a little-known cukure as they follow the twists and turns of Freya and Birdie through the past into the present day. For fans of first novels and readers of family sagas; recommended for public libraries.--Robin Nesbitt, Columbus Metropolitan Lib., OH

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