What do you think?
Rate this book
The Promise of Iceland
In 1990, Kári Gíslason travelled to Iceland to meet his father for the first time. What he finds is not what he expected.
Born from a secret liaison between a British mother and an Icelandic father, Kári Gíslason was the subject of a promise – a promise elicited from his father to not reveal his identity. The Icelandic city of Reykjavík, where Kári was born, was also home to his father and his father’s wife and five children – none of whom knew of Kári’s existence. Moving regularly between Iceland and Australia, he grew up aware of his father’s identity, but understanding that it was the subject of a secret pact between his parents. At the age of 27, he makes a decision to break the pact and contacts his father’s other family. What follows, and what leads him there, makes for a riveting journey over landscapes, time and memory.
Kári travels from the freezing cold winters of Iceland to the shark net at Sydney’s Balmoral, an unsettled life in the English countryside and the harsh yellow summer of Brisbane, and back again. He traces the steps of his mother who answered an ad in The Times for an English-speaking secretary in 1970 and found herself in Iceland among the ‘Army of Foreign Secretaries’, and in the arms of a secret lover. Iceland becomes the substitute for the father Kári never really knew as he discovers the meaning of ‘home’ and closes the circle of his own fatherless life.
Born from a secret liaison between a British mother and an Icelandic father, Kári Gíslason was the subject of a promise – a promise elicited from his father to not reveal his identity. The Icelandic city of Reykjavík, where Kári was born, was also home to his father and his father’s wife and five children – none of whom knew of Kári’s existence. Moving regularly between Iceland and Australia, he grew up aware of his father’s identity, but understanding that it was the subject of a secret pact between his parents. At the age of 27, he makes a decision to break the pact and contacts his father’s other family. What follows, and what leads him there, makes for a riveting journey over landscapes, time and memory.
Kári travels from the freezing cold winters of Iceland to the shark net at Sydney’s Balmoral, an unsettled life in the English countryside and the harsh yellow summer of Brisbane, and back again. He traces the steps of his mother who answered an ad in The Times for an English-speaking secretary in 1970 and found herself in Iceland among the ‘Army of Foreign Secretaries’, and in the arms of a secret lover. Iceland becomes the substitute for the father Kári never really knew as he discovers the meaning of ‘home’ and closes the circle of his own fatherless life.
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 5, 2016
This was a well written and very personnel autobiographic book as the author traces his mother's life, her affair in Iceland, his birth and his search for home and his links in Iceland. Fascinating lives his mother and he lived as they moved from Iceland to Britain to Australia and back again.
His love of Iceland and it's people shines.
The book does tend to lose its oomph in the last 40 odd pages but it is a very readable memoir of family and home.
His love of Iceland and it's people shines.
The book does tend to lose its oomph in the last 40 odd pages but it is a very readable memoir of family and home.
September 22, 2021
I loved this memoir and while Gislason was able to write out his complicated feelings to discover his 'home', reading this helped me explore and maybe resolve my own rootlessness, especially the line about home being the place you *can* go back to.
December 4, 2014
A beautiful memoir of finding a place that you can truly call home and also a story of finding out who you really are and who your family are. I love the piece that Gislason writes at the end of his book "At the end of this story, my overwhelming feeling is that home is the knowledge that one day you will be back".
September 29, 2024
A great read about a country I have never visited.
October 8, 2023
Couldnt finish it...too much detail
February 11, 2018
This is a haunting memoir about identity, loss, the sense of home, and life in a single parent family. The writing is elegant, sparse and engaging. As the narrative moves back and forth from Iceland to Australia to England, the author searches for a relationship with his father that is destined to remain unfulfilled. Despite the ice-cold secret he is expected to keep about the truth of his father's identity, the warmth of relationships formed with a wider family on his travels across the globe seems, in the end, to make up for the loss of a blood-father connection. Had the last section been edited as tightly as the first chapters, I'd say this book was perfect (!), but nonetheless, the ideas in the story keep rolling around in my head, days after reading the book - like winter icicles slowly dripping away. Brrr. (i'm still going to give this 5 stars, as I recommend it to everyone.)
February 13, 2012
SPOILERS
Evocative language depicts a beautiful country that I would like to see myself one day. The family story was compelling, but I felt it trailed away slowly (perhaps it should have finished earlier, at the real climax of the story?). I suppose autobiographic stories never really finish until the person dies, so it would be hard to know where to end your own autobiographical book. I also found it kind of disturbing that the author so missed the presence of his own father for much of the book, but ended by saying that he leaves his own sons in Australia (for months at a time, I think) while he visits Iceland each year. Aren't people curious beings? But perhaps that is just my own baggage. An enjoyable read.
Evocative language depicts a beautiful country that I would like to see myself one day. The family story was compelling, but I felt it trailed away slowly (perhaps it should have finished earlier, at the real climax of the story?). I suppose autobiographic stories never really finish until the person dies, so it would be hard to know where to end your own autobiographical book. I also found it kind of disturbing that the author so missed the presence of his own father for much of the book, but ended by saying that he leaves his own sons in Australia (for months at a time, I think) while he visits Iceland each year. Aren't people curious beings? But perhaps that is just my own baggage. An enjoyable read.
April 11, 2015
I enjoyed this beautifully written novel about the love of one’s country and of Kari’s search for his family and how our lives shift. A very thoughtful writing.
October 26, 2015
Actually giving this book 3.5
July 1, 2025
Kari Gislason has written a special book for which he provides the subject, as the child created by an Icelander and a stranger who becomes entranced by and then connected with the country.
He is also a wonderful writer, versed in the language but also the myths and legends of Iceland which he weaves in a low key way into the narrative.
The human story which is his to tell is also remarkable; born from an affair that is to be permanently kept secret to save the marriage of his father. His mother raises him in Iceland and Australia while keeping this secret. He is to spend his life trying to get his father to acknowledge him.
A delightful side of Icelandic nature is the welcoming of children, from whatever source. Perhaps it's the weather? So as a young child he lives freely in the community, and later his siblings welcome him gladly despite the lack of the same welcome from his father and his wife, the mother rof his five children.
I loved his clear articulate prose, and his calm acceptance of his life as he built relationships in Iceland with people apart from his father. His use of Icelandic words is appropriate to explanation of the people and places in his story, and the reader has a general idea of the geography and history of the country throughout.
There is also the other side, his Australian world, and the resolution of duality is a luxury he seems to resolve well by immersing himself for a time with his future wife.
I highly recommend this book, and Kari Gislason's writing. I think he would be a wonderful teacher and speaker
He is also a wonderful writer, versed in the language but also the myths and legends of Iceland which he weaves in a low key way into the narrative.
The human story which is his to tell is also remarkable; born from an affair that is to be permanently kept secret to save the marriage of his father. His mother raises him in Iceland and Australia while keeping this secret. He is to spend his life trying to get his father to acknowledge him.
A delightful side of Icelandic nature is the welcoming of children, from whatever source. Perhaps it's the weather? So as a young child he lives freely in the community, and later his siblings welcome him gladly despite the lack of the same welcome from his father and his wife, the mother rof his five children.
I loved his clear articulate prose, and his calm acceptance of his life as he built relationships in Iceland with people apart from his father. His use of Icelandic words is appropriate to explanation of the people and places in his story, and the reader has a general idea of the geography and history of the country throughout.
There is also the other side, his Australian world, and the resolution of duality is a luxury he seems to resolve well by immersing himself for a time with his future wife.
I highly recommend this book, and Kari Gislason's writing. I think he would be a wonderful teacher and speaker
January 12, 2018
Thought-provoking and emotionally captivating memoir of a young man finding home. Kari Gislason's writing transports the reader through the changing landscape of Iceland to Brisbane, Australia, reflecting his evolving sense in accepting and growing in himself and his sense of home. The book takes the reader through the intricate and almost seemingly menial moments of daily life, slowly drawing an image of the challenges faced by Gislason and how he finally begins to overcome them.
When I first picked up The Promise of Iceland, I thought it would simply be about the promise of home Iceland provided to an exiled illegitimate son of the country. As I read further, I was moved to realise that the promise was not just symbolic of home, but also the idea of gaining identity through the revelation of promises of secrets, in decisions involving past promises and in ultimately making future promises.
Overall, I felt the book conveyed the difficulties faced by a child growing into a man who had never truly found a home, some unique intricacies of Icelandic and Australian culture, and a greater depth in understanding the influence of a promise, through the eyes of the modern day saga author.
When I first picked up The Promise of Iceland, I thought it would simply be about the promise of home Iceland provided to an exiled illegitimate son of the country. As I read further, I was moved to realise that the promise was not just symbolic of home, but also the idea of gaining identity through the revelation of promises of secrets, in decisions involving past promises and in ultimately making future promises.
Overall, I felt the book conveyed the difficulties faced by a child growing into a man who had never truly found a home, some unique intricacies of Icelandic and Australian culture, and a greater depth in understanding the influence of a promise, through the eyes of the modern day saga author.
September 15, 2021
As I don’t want to make any spoilers, I will just say that the title of this book made me think of something more epic and intriguing. When I found out what the whole ‘promise’ was about, I thought it was a bit ‘meh’. Also, there are some chapters at the end, where the author tells about his life as an English teacher in the West Fjords, that felt completely alien to the story and a bit unnecessary.
Undoubtedly, the most interesting part of the novel is the author's ability to convey how, through his multiple trips to Iceland to confront his past, he ends up developing an 'inexplicable’ devotion for the island and everything Icelandic, feelings that after living in the country myself I found to be very familiar.
Undoubtedly, the most interesting part of the novel is the author's ability to convey how, through his multiple trips to Iceland to confront his past, he ends up developing an 'inexplicable’ devotion for the island and everything Icelandic, feelings that after living in the country myself I found to be very familiar.
August 5, 2019
I think I'm probably rating this book unfairly. I heard Kari Gislason talking about it and thought his mother sounded completely fascinating - I think I really wanted her autobiography rather than his... but there only the facts of her life and not the why.
However it's no secret the book is Gislason's autobiography, and it's very engaging and Iceland could not be more strange and wonderful. It is what it says on the cover and my disappointment at the book it is not is likely to be only my own.
Could have benefited from a map.
However it's no secret the book is Gislason's autobiography, and it's very engaging and Iceland could not be more strange and wonderful. It is what it says on the cover and my disappointment at the book it is not is likely to be only my own.
Could have benefited from a map.
May 9, 2019
I have always been interested in Iceland since seeing a documentary on Iceland in primary school. I grabbed this book as soon as I spotted it at my local library & read it yesterday afternoon. I loved all the descriptions of Iceland & found that Kari has written a great memoir. Would highly recommend everyone to read it & yes I Would still love to visit Iceland; it's a long way from Melbourne Australia
March 19, 2018
I heard about this book from friends so when I decided to vacation in Iceland I got a copy and brought it along as my reading material. It was perfect reading material for my trip. This book follows Kari's life journey which was both a physical journey (between Iceland, Britain, and Australia) and an emotional journey (his family dynamics).
December 27, 2017
A beautifully told story about Kari Gislason. After hearing him talk at an event for another book I had to read more. Such an interesting story, a love child sworn to never reveal his father's identity and how this secret effected his life.
September 22, 2020
Fascinating insight into the authors life, including finding his father and family and dealing with his father's wish that he promise not to reveal that he exists.
May 28, 2022
What a beautifully written memoir
January 9, 2023
Lovely memoir.
December 18, 2021
This is a memoir that takes place in both Australia and Iceland as Kari becomes a young man. Kari is the result of an affair that his father required kept secret and that his mother agreed to keep secret. Kari decides to meet his father and shortly begins to decide whether to meet his half brothers and sisters and break the promise in which he was involved by his parents. It is a good and interesting read especially if one has been or plans to visit Iceland.
September 21, 2014
'I just want to be home', I replied.
'You are home, dear Kári.'
A heartfelt memoir of keeping a secret and breaking a promise, Gíslason laid out snippets of his life in the dramatic landscapes of Iceland, bringing us to the land of the Sagas, to the sky of the Northern Lights, and to the ashes of Eyjafjallajökull. He also brought stories of the hot summer, the long beaches and the cheap wine of the Australian continent.
What I love about this book is how he wrote his big love with the land at the edge of the world. He made me piqued my interest in the paradoxes of the Icelandic culture - like you are being owned but you are on your own, or how the people are reserved and intrusive, and how much they frown while giving you a warm welcome. As a writer and a PhD in Medieval literature, he convinced me to read the dramatic family sagas of the Iceland, naming Egíl's and Njál's as his top favorites.
The unhurried prose made me imagine how his parents fell in love. And this book does not even try to patronize secret lovers or dangerous liaisons, but it is to see the struggles of the result - a lovechild outside of the wedlock. We are given a point of view of Kari's - for us not to be bitchy about adultery, because prejudice does not help in welcoming a child into the world. By acknowledging one's existence also mean's welcoming in one's home.
February 23, 2019
I am tempted to give this one star because it was so frustrating to read all the parts that should have been cut out of the book, but the rest of it was OK.
See my review of this and some other books here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1FXs...
See my review of this and some other books here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1FXs...
December 4, 2012
These topics interest me; memoir, Scandinavia, finding family heritage. I did enjoy the descriptions of landscape - I have lived in Finland and Sweden where I have family - but haven't visited Iceland. The author wove in Icelandic mythology and sagas with effective atmosphere. But the actual story of his family was frustrating; he has been sworn to silence so he cannot meet his own kin until he breaks a promise. What a selfish father, only concerned for his own reputation! In fact, when the author does push through this reserve, the reconciliation seems an anticlimax. I was rather surprised that he grew up in Iceland yet could not remember much of his native tongue when he returned.
I wanted to like this book more; perhaps with tighter editing he could have kept the readers alongside longer.
I wanted to like this book more; perhaps with tighter editing he could have kept the readers alongside longer.
August 8, 2011
It's a memoir that reads like a love poem to Iceland, with lyrical descriptions of the landscape and the people; along with recurrent themes of secrets, lies, family and belonging.
A lot of the people in this memoir are restless - always looking for a place they will belong, or the next adventure, and never quite able to settle in one place and be happy, despite how much they might love that place. The parallels are in the text with the great Icelandic sagas that the author has studied, but it also reminded me of Tennyson's Ulysses - ten years of sailing and adventuring to get home to Ithaca and Penelope, only to have him, bored and dissatisfied, rousing up his mates with the cry "Come, my friends, 'tis not too late to seek a newer world."
A lot of the people in this memoir are restless - always looking for a place they will belong, or the next adventure, and never quite able to settle in one place and be happy, despite how much they might love that place. The parallels are in the text with the great Icelandic sagas that the author has studied, but it also reminded me of Tennyson's Ulysses - ten years of sailing and adventuring to get home to Ithaca and Penelope, only to have him, bored and dissatisfied, rousing up his mates with the cry "Come, my friends, 'tis not too late to seek a newer world."
November 4, 2015
Meryl November 2015
A short autobiography of an Icelandic Australian Brit who travels halfway around the globe (several times) to find a way to fit into the world.
He has a dilemma, his mother is a nomad and so was his grandfather, so no one stays any where long enough to put down roots.
Kari is the result of an affair played out when his mum worked in Iceland. Since his mother was married to Ed Reid when he was born, that's the surname he acquires.
He yearns for more. He yearns for his proper surname and a real sense of belonging.
This requires a few more journeys to Iceland.
This would all be tedious if the Kari was a bore to spend time with, Iceland was dull and its history pedestrian.
Thankfully, none of those statements is true and the book is a little gem :)
Meryl November 2015
A short autobiography of an Icelandic Australian Brit who travels halfway around the globe (several times) to find a way to fit into the world.
He has a dilemma, his mother is a nomad and so was his grandfather, so no one stays any where long enough to put down roots.
Kari is the result of an affair played out when his mum worked in Iceland. Since his mother was married to Ed Reid when he was born, that's the surname he acquires.
He yearns for more. He yearns for his proper surname and a real sense of belonging.
This requires a few more journeys to Iceland.
This would all be tedious if the Kari was a bore to spend time with, Iceland was dull and its history pedestrian.
Thankfully, none of those statements is true and the book is a little gem :)
Meryl November 2015
February 1, 2024
Whether or not you are interested in Iceland, this book is a great read. It is very well written, making it easy as well as enjoyable to read, and Kari's story is truly fascinating. But if, like me, Iceland holds a special place in your heart, you will absolutely love this book. I have been to Iceland several times and am thus familiar with many of the places mentioned, and could therefore see events in my mind's eye and fully engage with the text. And reading this story has only heightened my desire to return to this wonderful country many more times in the future. I can't wait to read Kari's upcoming book on the Icelandic sagas!
March 6, 2016
This was absorbing. It mixes a fascinating memoir of Gislason's fleeting relationship with his secret Icelandic father with a paean to Iceland itself. Because Gislason grew up in Australia as well as Iceland, he is able to analyse as an outsider as well as an insider, but also makes clear his love for this demanding landscape. There are very personal moments, alongside Icelandic history and saga stories. The memoir structure holds the whole thing together beautifully. This makes me want to visit Iceland...then I think about how much I dislike the cold.
February 28, 2012
Book club read March 2012. My husband chose this book for book club and I am afraid it has not been a favourite for me. I was interested to learn more about Iceland but I never really felt I got to know the narrator, what the big draw club to Iceland was? Or why the whole story was worthy of recording. I am sure it was a very cathartic experience of the author but it was a bit of a boring read for me I am afraid!
June 28, 2012
It took me a while to get into this book, but when I persisted I found I liked it, particularly the middle section about re-connecting with family. The evocation of a much-loved place and the historical sagas were interesting too. It was unfortunate in some ways that I next read another autobiographical account of family by a middle aged male writer, which offered so much more...
November 5, 2012
..especially good because the day after i finished the book, the author came to our book club and talked to us about it in lengthy detail. is a great read about the notion of 'home' and how children can carry the burden of their parents choices as the author has done for his. is also a celebration of iceland and its history through the sagas and its unique landscape. Definitely recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews