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Ósmann
The far north of Iceland, around the turn of the nineteenth century. With his rope ferry, Jón Magnússon Ósmann transports people, animals and wares across the waters of the Skagafjord. He’s a fisherman and a seal hunter who sees ghosts and elves; a friend of all mankind who cares for and shelters those in need; and he’s also a God-fearing drinker and poet. Larger-than-life, strong and companionable, and yet so tormented by his own fate that the floods he has sailed for over forty years begin to lure him in. Bursting with life, this is an almost unbelievable story based on a real life.
288 pages
2025
978-3-257-07330-0
»Ósmann is a beautiful and moving literary treat by a hugely talented author.«
»Schmidt interweaves all these little, delicate stories into a big cosmos, with the man from the Ós at its centre.«
»A must-read for fans of Scandinavian culture, and for enthusiasts of portraits of fascinating persons who have been meaningful for many people’s lives.«
»The author skilfully incorporates certain forerunners of the modern age, such as the installation of submarine telephone cables between the European continent and Iceland.«
»Joachim B. Schmidt brings this archaic world to life in all its ambivalence – in wild, mystical beauty and harsh reality.«