Review by RosalieW -- Black Beach by Olivia Rana
261 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "Black Beach" by Olivia Rana.]
‘Black Beach’ by Olivia Rana is a fascinating tale, weaving Icelandic folklore into the cynicism and disbelief of today's society. Fríða Jónsdóttir has the unique ability to see the Huldufólk, a gift that brings her closer to her father who shares that ability. At the same time, it fractures relationships within her family, shown with her sister, and then, in turn, with her daughter, Alda. As Fríða’s story continues, we are allowed insight into two distinct periods of her life- her childhood in Vík, starting in 1953, and her present in Reykjavík, in 2021 as an old woman struggling with what is presumed to be a form of dementia, or Alzheimers. Her daughter Alda becomes a vital perspective in the story, offering an outsider's perspective, but one that is sympathetic. In both periods of Fríða's life, the focus ends up being the potential destruction of the Black Beach in Vík, and the Huldufólk, which is the common thread throughout the novel.
The book masterfully depicts the Huldufólk as a reality that cannot be questioned. Despite Fríða’s memory struggles, the Huldufólk are always real to her, even if they aren’t for others. Fríða faces cynicism from those around her, disbelief which leads to not only being locked up in a psychiatric facility as a young girl, but also deteriorates her relationships with those around her. In particular, Fríða’s relationship with her daughter, Alda, represents everything Fríða gave up for the Huldufólk. There is little vindication for Fríða throughout her life, and even when there is, it comes too late. This was one of my favourite things about the novel, as it presented Fríða’s situation realistically, and without mercy.
I also greatly enjoyed the different perspectives of the book. I felt it added a more balanced feel, and rounded out the two main characters, Fríða and Alda. Furthermore, Alda’s perspective added the grounded reality of Fríða’s life, outside of Fríða’s own narration. There was a definite tragic element to Alda’s narrative, as she recalls a mother who never quite was understood by her own daughter, but it was important, as the reader could then understand what exactly Fríða was giving up in order to stay true to the Huldufólk. Alda’s journey to understand her mother added depth to the story.
The supporting characters in ‘Black Beach’were also an essential part of the novel, each of them well rounded and understood. Palina, the Huldufólk girl that Fríða becomes friends with ends up becoming almost like a sister to Fríða, the one that Katrin never was. Katrin, Fríða’s real sister, is also another interesting aspect to the novel, the displaced favourite who never could find it in herself to forgive or believe her sister. Katrin and Fríða’s relationship is just as vital to the story as Fríða’s relationship with her father, the three of them interconnected throughout. ‘Pabbi’, Fríða’s father, is a complicated character that the book tackles admirably. His penchant for playing favourites with his daughters not only alienates his family from one another, but creates fractures that lead to chasms later on. He is Fríða’s rock, however, someone she looks up to with utmost trust and love, something which ends up being part of the core of the story. I did find it slightly disconcerting that Fríða never truly recognises her father’s role in tearing her and Katrin even further apart. I also cannot truly get over the dismissive behaviour he exhibits towards Fríða in the very beginning of the novel, when he believes she is nothing more than ordinary. This was something that I disliked, as I feel the book would have benefited from Fríða’s realization of this fact.
‘Black Beach’was a vividly described book, an interesting integration with Icelandic folklore. The familial connections that dominated the storytelling, in particular Alda’s discovery of her mother’s past, was simultaneously heartbreaking and intriguing, urging the reader to continue with the book. The editing was extremely well done, and the language was descriptive and eerily beautiful, in particular within Fríða’s narrative. Despite some plot points that could have been more closely examined, ‘Black Beach’ was a highly enjoyable read. As a result, I am rating this book four out of four stars . This book would be enjoyed by those who love magical realism, or fantasy, as it mixes reality and folklore extremely well.
******
Black Beach
View: on Bookshelves |
‘Black Beach’ by Olivia Rana is a fascinating tale, weaving Icelandic folklore into the cynicism and disbelief of today's society. Fríða Jónsdóttir has the unique ability to see the Huldufólk, a gift that brings her closer to her father who shares that ability. At the same time, it fractures relationships within her family, shown with her sister, and then, in turn, with her daughter, Alda. As Fríða’s story continues, we are allowed insight into two distinct periods of her life- her childhood in Vík, starting in 1953, and her present in Reykjavík, in 2021 as an old woman struggling with what is presumed to be a form of dementia, or Alzheimers. Her daughter Alda becomes a vital perspective in the story, offering an outsider's perspective, but one that is sympathetic. In both periods of Fríða's life, the focus ends up being the potential destruction of the Black Beach in Vík, and the Huldufólk, which is the common thread throughout the novel.
The book masterfully depicts the Huldufólk as a reality that cannot be questioned. Despite Fríða’s memory struggles, the Huldufólk are always real to her, even if they aren’t for others. Fríða faces cynicism from those around her, disbelief which leads to not only being locked up in a psychiatric facility as a young girl, but also deteriorates her relationships with those around her. In particular, Fríða’s relationship with her daughter, Alda, represents everything Fríða gave up for the Huldufólk. There is little vindication for Fríða throughout her life, and even when there is, it comes too late. This was one of my favourite things about the novel, as it presented Fríða’s situation realistically, and without mercy.
I also greatly enjoyed the different perspectives of the book. I felt it added a more balanced feel, and rounded out the two main characters, Fríða and Alda. Furthermore, Alda’s perspective added the grounded reality of Fríða’s life, outside of Fríða’s own narration. There was a definite tragic element to Alda’s narrative, as she recalls a mother who never quite was understood by her own daughter, but it was important, as the reader could then understand what exactly Fríða was giving up in order to stay true to the Huldufólk. Alda’s journey to understand her mother added depth to the story.
The supporting characters in ‘Black Beach’were also an essential part of the novel, each of them well rounded and understood. Palina, the Huldufólk girl that Fríða becomes friends with ends up becoming almost like a sister to Fríða, the one that Katrin never was. Katrin, Fríða’s real sister, is also another interesting aspect to the novel, the displaced favourite who never could find it in herself to forgive or believe her sister. Katrin and Fríða’s relationship is just as vital to the story as Fríða’s relationship with her father, the three of them interconnected throughout. ‘Pabbi’, Fríða’s father, is a complicated character that the book tackles admirably. His penchant for playing favourites with his daughters not only alienates his family from one another, but creates fractures that lead to chasms later on. He is Fríða’s rock, however, someone she looks up to with utmost trust and love, something which ends up being part of the core of the story. I did find it slightly disconcerting that Fríða never truly recognises her father’s role in tearing her and Katrin even further apart. I also cannot truly get over the dismissive behaviour he exhibits towards Fríða in the very beginning of the novel, when he believes she is nothing more than ordinary. This was something that I disliked, as I feel the book would have benefited from Fríða’s realization of this fact.
‘Black Beach’was a vividly described book, an interesting integration with Icelandic folklore. The familial connections that dominated the storytelling, in particular Alda’s discovery of her mother’s past, was simultaneously heartbreaking and intriguing, urging the reader to continue with the book. The editing was extremely well done, and the language was descriptive and eerily beautiful, in particular within Fríða’s narrative. Despite some plot points that could have been more closely examined, ‘Black Beach’ was a highly enjoyable read. As a result, I am rating this book four out of four stars . This book would be enjoyed by those who love magical realism, or fantasy, as it mixes reality and folklore extremely well.
******
Black Beach
View: on Bookshelves |
You are not logged in. Please log in or sign up to view members replies, participate in the discussion, and access more features.
