Bowline

by Guðlaugur Arason, Quentin Bates (Translator)

A young boy's buring ambition to be a proper fisherman becomes an unexpected reality one summer as Logi Kristinsson gets to spend a summer season following the herring with the crew of a Dalvík purse boat. Set in the 1950s at the height of the herring boom in Iceland, Bowline captures the spirit of an era that came to an end a few years later when the herring disappeared.
Published originally in 1980, Guðlaugur Arason's book was for many years a set text in Icelandic schools and colleges. It has been published in Danish and Russian, and now appears in English for the first time.

Unknown Binding

First published June 3, 2013

Reviews

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was tossing up if I should give this four stars or five, and in the end went for the latter. A couple of times the translation felt a bit clunky, but the story itself was magical, such mysticism in it and a story that definitely resonates, particularly if you've ever been fishing. Taught in schools and higher education facilities in Iceland, it follows Logi, a young eight year old boy dreaming of going fishing out at sea who finally gets his chance to go with a crew of sailors. While there he discovers himself and what it means to be human, to suffer love, loss, friendship, adventure and so much more.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about the eight year old (Almost nine)growing up in a harbour town in Iceland and dreaming of becoming a herring boat skipper. The breathless nature of the narration mirrored thoughts and dreams of our Hero and his struggles against those who would wish to restrain him because of his age, dislike of soap and disdain for formal education. Warmly recommend.