Description
Illska. Evil
Book Summary
A novel that explores the roots of hatred and violence across three generations. The story begins with the meeting of Agnes and Ómar in Reykjavik, but its origins trace back to 1941 in Lithuania, where two of Agnes's great-grandfathers participated in a massacre. Since then, the protagonist has made the Holocaust and the rise of populism the center of her life, an obsession that leads her to Arnor, a cultured neo-Nazi. A work that places the reader at the heart of the European crisis of values.
What is it about?
The novel intertwines two timelines. On one hand, it follows the relationship between Agnes and Ómar, which begins on a cold dawn in Reykjavik and culminates three years later when Ómar sets fire to her house and flees the country. On the other, it goes back to 1941, when in the Jurbarkas forest in Lithuania, half the population was murdered. Two of Agnes's great-grandfathers were there: one shot the other. This violent inheritance marks Agnes, who makes the study of the Holocaust and xenophobia the axis of her life, until she encounters Arnor, a neo-Nazi with an intellectual background. The work explores how evil is transmitted and transformed over time.
Main themes
- Intergenerational transmission of trauma and violence
- The Holocaust and its echoes in contemporary Europe
- The rise of xenophobic populism and neo-Nazism
- Personal obsession as a driving force for investigation
- Crisis of values in current European society
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in novels that address recent European history, the analysis of political violence, and the consequences of hatred. Also for those looking for an addictive and well-constructed narrative that combines personal drama with social and political reflection. Suitable for fans of contemporary literature with a historical and critical background.
What this book offers
- An addictive plot that maintains interest over 640 pages
- A profound reflection on how hatred is inherited and reproduced
- A critical look at the sociopolitical drift of Europe from an original perspective
- A work translated into seven languages and recognized by international critics
Technical specifications
- Author: Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl
- Publisher: Hoja de Lata Editorial
- Language: Spanish
- Theme: Modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: Sensibles a las letras
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: November 2018
- Number of pages: 640
- Weight: 850 g
Editorial review
An ambitious novel that connects the history of the Holocaust with current conflicts through a personal and absorbing narrative. Its structure, which jumps between eras and characters, demands attention but rewards with a complex vision of evil and its roots. Recommended for those looking for a read that combines entertainment with relevant and well-documented social analysis.