The Fish Can Sing

Halldór Laxness · 1902–1998 · Iceland

Originally Brekkukotsannáll (Icelandic)

Why it matters

An orphan raised by fisherfolk in a turf-roofed Reykjavík cottage dreams of the perfect single note, while a native son returned as a world-famous singer chases something emptier. Laxness's warmest, most autobiographical novel.

At a glance

A gentle, episodic coming-of-age narrative in plain prose.