Wintersun – Synopsis and Reviews

Brief synopsis
The metropolitan police is searching for Arndis Theodorsdottir . . . she was last seen at Korpulfsstadir Centre for Culture last Friday . . .

Sunna is shocked when she sees the announcement on the internet. Memories from her time as a student with Arndis in Barcelona haunt her and make it difficult to focus on the crime fiction writing course she is supposed to be directing. On the other hand, the pre-Christmas rush at the publishing house where she is working has reached its peak and there’s little time left to investigate the disappearance of an old friend.

To make matters even worse, the relentless winter storms are holding Axel, Sunna’s boyfriend, hostage in a remote town in the West Fiords, leaving her abandoned with his ten year old son, whom she hardly knows.
When Sunna realizes that three mysterious men are following her around it seems as if her life is turning into a crime thriller...

As in her previous highly acclaimed award winning novels, The People of the Basement and Deposit, in Wintersun different worlds are juxtaposed and questions are set forth about values, perspectives – and deceptions.


Reviews
“A book that takes you by surprise … She’s a very clever writer … and this is a fine book she’s produced.” Kolbrun Bergthorsdottir / Kiljan, Literature programme on Icelandic National Broadcasting, RUV

“… this is definitely a good read, playful and agonizing by turns … a highly entertaining book which more than serves its purpose as a beacon of light in the darkness.” Ulfhildur Dagsdottir / www.bokmenntir.is
“Written with real dexterity, she’s a highly inventive author who can play skilfully with language and circumstances … When the curtain falls, the novel leaves a definite mark on you, she’s a writer with a sneaky subtlety … A very fine book.”
Pall Baldvin Baldvinsson / Kiljan, Literature programme on Icelandic National Broadcasting, RUV

“A real page-turner, this is everything a book should be: original, enjoyable, exciting and hilarious … a well-constructed plot and brilliant characterisation. Wintersun is among Audur’s best works, in my opinion, if not the best.”
Gudridur Haraldsdottir / Weekly Vikan

“Audur builds her character, sketching in the lines, very slyly, so that soon the reader is itching with impatience, as Sunna wanders back and forth between the present and the past. ... In fact, it is only in the final pages of the book that Audur draws all the threads together, weaving them rapidly to form the whole fabric, then winds things up with a finish that leaves you breathless. ... Underlying all her works is a towering ethical stance that kindles a response in the reader’s mind. To make this work requires a genial construction, so that everything that has previously happened points to the same conclusion. We almost have to start reading again from the beginning. So we can welcome two fantastic novels from these remarkable writers (i.e. Gudrun Eva Minervudottir and Audur Jonsdottir)Both their new books are required reading.”

* * * * stars Pall Baldvin Baldvinsson / Daily newspaper Frettabladid

For further information please contact
Forlagid Publishing; Braedraborgarstigur 7;
101 Reykjavik; Iceland; tel: (+354) 575 5600;
e-mails: ua@forlagid.is vala@forlagid.is ; www.forlagid.is