This book caught my eye in a charity shop because of it's beautiful, wood cut-esque cover. The synopsis convinced me, it seemed set in a place I would like spending time in.
The story follows Ketil, a fiery and loveable 70 year old, who gets carried away in the aftermath of a whale hunt and bids for more meat than he can afford. The story examines the difference between Ketil and his sons; Ketil lives from the land. He and his wife fish, spin and knit wool into jumpers and forage for driftwood to get enough money together to pay the bill. It is apparent however that this isn't the way Ketil's sons do things. They work on boats and 'live from the shops' it is this contrast Brú explores. It's refreshing that Brú doesn't romanticise the old way of doing things too much. We get more of the old man's point of view, but flaws and apparent silliness is noted. It is worth saying that the book isn't at all depressing, we feel the weight of the debt but it isn't an unpleasant or uncomfortable read.
Very near the end of the novel I realised that Ketil's wife is never named. In fact none of the women are named, they are referred to as Ketil's wife, the daughter in law, Klavus' wife etc. All the men are named, even the obscure man who walks around spreading rumours. I hope this is because the book is 'a product of it's time' - Heðin Brú lived from 1901 - 1987 - though it still rankles.
The naming of the women shouldn't be held against it; The Old Man and His Sons is a great book, throwing up questions about ways of living in a gorgeous setting and through likeable, vivid characters.
