Storm Birds

In February 1959, several Icelandic trawlers were caught in a storm off Newfoundland's Grand Banks. What happened there is the inspiration for this novel. Not since THE PERFECT STORM has there been a book which captures the sheer drama and terror of a crisis at sea. Karason is an exceptional storyteller, an Icelandic Erskine Caldwell or William Faulkner.

The side trawler Mafurinn is hit by a major storm just as they prepare to turn for home. Thirty-two men aboard, and a hold full of redfish. The sea is cold enough to kill a man in minutes, and the trawler quickly ices up in the biting frost and violent tempest.

The heavy icing weighs down the already fully laden craft, which is pummelled by one breaker after another - and here, out on the open sea, there is no exit route. Distress signals from other ships in the same circumstance and be heard from the fishing grounds around them. It is a battle of life and death.

Translated from the Icelandic by Quentin Bates

“This slim book vividly captures the the drama and terror of a crisis at sea.-- Choice Magazine”

A pulse-quickening piece of fiction . . . trawlers combine epic drama with the baroque intensity of men crammed together . . . a terrifying depiction of peril at sea - Financial Times

I love this book - a masterpiece from hell

Einar Karason (born November 24, 1955 in Reykjavik, Iceland) started his career writing poetry for literary magazines, and published his first novel in 1981. He is best known for his novel ar sem djoflaeyjan ris, which was translated into English as Devil's Island (2000) and made into a film.

In February 1959, several Icelandic trawlers were caught in a storm off Newfoundland's Grand Banks. What happened there is the inspiration for this novel. Not since THE PERFECT STORM has there been a book which captures the sheer drama and terror of a crisis at sea. Karason is an exceptional storyteller, an Icelandic Erskine Caldwell or William Faulkner. The side trawler Mafurinn is hit by a major storm just as they prepare to turn for home. Thirty-two men aboard, and a hold full of redfish. The sea is cold enough to kill a man in minutes, and the trawler quickly ices up in the biting frost and violent tempest. The heavy icing weighs down the already fully laden craft, which is pummelled by one breaker after another - and here, out on the open sea, there is no exit route. Distress signals from other ships in the same circumstance and be heard from the fishing grounds around them. It is a battle of life and death. Translated from the Icelandic by Quentin Bates

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