With Icelandic sagas woven into a story of female empowerment, The Swell offered a really intriguing premise. The two POVs at different times in history gave insight into the ways of life and the challenges faced in the early 1900s and 1970s.

An atmospheric, beautifully written novel of sisterhood and women's right. The settings were vivid which is what you want to immersive yourself in historical fiction. Unfortunately, the pacing was very slow and the plot just too thin for my taste. I can see why this book is popular and would recommend it for people who enjoy a gentle pace.

Two stories set 60 years apart, both highlighting the struggles women face/d trying to break free from their assigned traditional gender roles. Young women finding themselves and trying to navigate a world where what they want to be isn’t always accepted.
I love a duel timeline and I also really enjoy reading about books set in another country and another time. I always feel as though I am getting an education as I’m being entertained.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, however there is SA events in the book so please check trigger warnings before you read.
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Release Date - 27th February 2025

The author has taken the Icelandic sagas as inspiration for this story. It's a dual timeline novel, with one part set in 1910, and the other in 1975. In 1910, two sisters and their father rescue a stranger from an shipwreck, and he soon settles in to their life, causing some repercussions.

In 1975, Siggi is joining demonstrations for women's rights; she is supported by her grandmother Amma, but her mother is less supportive, thinking that there is no point when she must inevitably end up raising a family.

I found it very atmospheric, especially the earlier timeline, but there was really very little overlap, and it felt very disjointed. We only become aware of any connection between the two stories right at the end, so the story doesn't flow well. Also, whilst I admire the message of female empowerment, there was certainly no subtlety in its delivery. Overall, I liked it, and would be interested to see what the author does next.

*Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*

Thanks Bonnier Books and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy of this book!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Set in Iceland 1910, sisters Freyja and Gudrun rescue a mysterious, shipwrecked man near their remote farm. Sixty five years later, Sigga is visiting her grandmother when news breaks: a body has been discovered on a mountainside near Reykjavík, and it’s perfectly preserved in ice. Rich in Icelandic myth, which I so appreciated after my November trip, this was a beautifully compelling and atmospheric read and a wonderful farewell to winter (for me).

A good example of books in good conversation with each other is The Swell and The Greenlanders. Both Nordic sagas with a focus on character, family and the swell of everyday life, I enjoyed The Swell as much as I did The Greenlanders. In fact, I enjoyed it more because I was already familiar with the family naming conventions, the local produce and rhythm of the ways in these harsh-condition, Nordic countries. We move between 1910 and the 1970s and piece together this Icelandic mystery, the changing timeline really works to build suspense and turn this into a page-turner. I love a story that digs deep into both character and plot, and that’s exactly what The Swell does.

Gudrun is a headstrong heroine, balanced out by her milder-mannered sister Freyja, and they make compelling characters to steer us through the earlier year setting. Actually, they’re mirrors for Sigga in the 1970s and her ‘Amma’, her grandmother. Freyja and Gudrun live with their widowed father in a patriarchally dominated village, which soon becomes a strong theme in the book, that of historical patriarchy. When a Danish sailor washes up ashore and the sisters bring him home, whispers swirl around the village about two unmarried women cohabiting with a man.

In 1975, Sigga is untangling who she is outside of her relationships with her partner, her brothers, society as it still stands. She is worried about her future, her fertility, whether or not she truly has autonomy of her body. And we hear mentions of the Women’s Day Off, a strike where women abstained from any work that was assumed to be a ‘woman’s job’. Feminist uprisings and modern feminism are, of course, then huge themes in this book. Then, the news breaks: a body has been found preserved in ice on a mountainside. As Amma and Sigga converse about their histories, thus begs the question: who is the body that was found?

The author creates a hauntingly atmospheric scene in Iceland and I loved this as a constant backdrop. While it’s got a slow burn start, I raced through the latter half of this book. It’s suspenseful and teases out the mystery in heartbreaking, shocking and tragically real circumstances, while examining sisterhood and breaking free from the patriarchy.

What better way to read a book than in the location where it’s set? I was lucky enough to have the ARC of this to take with me on my trip to Iceland earlier this week.

Gordon incorporates the land and lore of Iceland into this novel, introducing readers to an island bursting with history, mythology and incredible geography. I loved learning about some of the traditional foods such as the Vinarterta, and the sagas that shaped a nation’s literature and identity. Gordon weaves these sagas into the story and explores the role of women whose voices haven’t been heard traditionally.

My favourite part of this novel was the time Sigga spends in the mountains. Having seen the snowy peaks first hand, Gordon captures their sense of beauty and awe, along with their deadliness. The story that takes place within these mountains is also just as chilling as the snow around the characters and is a powerful and meaningful twist.

There was a sense of time and shifting energies between the two periods in which the novel is set. The world of 1911 is an isolated place with community and family being the forerunners, whereas the world of 2025 is a much more vocal, energetic and open space. This also serves to highlight the similarities and differences in women’s fight for independence, and how women have always persevered. It also shows how Iceland has become a progressive country where gender equality is now topping the lists, and with the world’s first democratically elected female president.

This was a thought-provoking novel, that packs a lot of important themes into a small space. Gordon pours her heart, values and experience into this book and it shows. Iceland is a very special place for me, and Gordon captures a powerful 21st century interpretation of it.

Really engaging historical fiction which uses dual timelines to draw us into the story of sisters Freja and Gudrun. Loved the Icelandic setting and found both storylines really enjoyable

1911 Freja and Gudrun are sisters living on their father's farm in Iceland. Freya falls for a shipwrecked sailor and plans a future but then he disappears. When Freya goes to look for him, Gudrun and a neighbour Magnus go to search. 1975 Sigga has just won a writing competition and her world is potentially opening up. She becomes more involved in politics but then realises she might be pregnant.
This is a lovely book which fuses two timelines, Icelandic myth and the emergence of independent women. I found myself really getting engrossed in the interweaving stories and the final twists are both expected and also surprising.

I loved this dual-timeline historical tale of sisters Freyja and Gudrun, and read it in one sitting, utterly absorbed. Kat Gordon's writing is entrancing and I enjoyed the depth of the sisters' bond with each other, as well as the relationship with the father, as well the as mystery that gradually unravels.

I found this such an atmospheric read. I'm always fascinated by books set in Iceland and would really like to visit this country!

The book is written in two parts. In 1910, Frejya and Gudrun, rescue a man from a shipwreck in the middle of a storm. Following this, Tomas goes to live with them on their small, remote farm.
In the second story, which takes place sixty-five years later, Sigga is spending time with her grandmother when they learn a body has been discovered on a mountainside near Reykjavik, perfectly preserved in ice.

There are lots of Icelandic myths interwoven through both stories, which I found interesting.
I particularly enjoyed the story set in 1910 and felt immediately invested in Freyja's and Gudrun's lives.
This book really demonstrates the constraints women felt, in a very male dominated society both in 1910 and 1975. Despite being years apart the women experience some very similar emotions.
I couldn't put the book down in the final chapters. The tension and mystery really builds in each separate story, and I loved how the two slowly connected, and some of the characters' true intentions were revealed. The ending was particularly surprising!
If you enjoy a good historical mystery steeped in folklore and with a very atmospheric setting I would recommend this book.

QOTD: What country that you have recently read about would you like to visit?

A subtle story about feminism and women’s attempt at sticking up for themselves within the confines of their societal roles!

The story switches between 1910 and 1970s Iceland describing the lives of several women, navigating life in the best way they can, trying to stand up and become individuals, instead of being bunched up with their gender description. All of this amongst the harsh yet beautiful and enchanting background of Iceland, where nature can punish you or be an ally.

Connecting the stories of Gudrun, Freyja and Sigga is a mystery that plays out cleverly whilst the reader is entertained by their everyday lives. Needless to say, the reader is left aimlessly trying to solve the mystery, and the connection between these two timelines.
When finally everything is explained it’s like an epiphany! And the twists in the book are very surprising!

Although I couldn’t engage with the book from the start, given the difficulty understanding the links between the different decades, once I kept going, I found it hard to stop.

This is a fascinating historical fiction with a very intriguing mystery, with an ending that is sure to surprise!

Thanks to the author, Manilla Press and NetGalley for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

This makes compulsive reading. The dual timeline had me foxed at first but I became more intrigued as the story progressed. An exploration of womens hopes and desires contrasted by the constraints the male dominated society imposes upon them.

Headlines:
Historical patriarchy
Icy mysteriousness
Sisters(hood)

The Swell was a sweeping read that captured my imagination totally as a frequent visitor to Iceland over the years. The description of a historical Iceland was somewhat barren in terms of finances for Freyja and Gudrun but rich in love and connection. However, the patriarchal society of a small village/town was disempowering for women but Gudrun especially was a headstrong women.

The story was told on two timelines, 1910 and 1975 with a body found in the ice linking the two. I felt most connected to the timeline in 1910 but Sigga's story (1975) and that of her Amma's drew me in more and more. I puzzled with a few different theories about the body and the reality of it was cleverly completed. The mystery of this story was elusive and wrapped in cold, rugged feelings.

The men in this story had balance. There were some awful men (I'm looking at that priest and an other) and some good men like Sigga's father and Tomas. These differing types of men helped bring the feminist slant to this tale and that element was well written especially.

The afterword to this story was interesting and I felt a real nod to the author at the mention of Nan Shepherd's work. Gordon's description of the land, lava fields and weather was good.

Thank you to Manilla Press for the review copy. I would highly recommend this for an unputdownable read.

This is a story told in two time frames in Iceland . The first is in 1911 ,where we meet two sisters Freya and Gudrun who rescue Thomas from a storm . The second story is set in 1974 , where we meet Stigga and her grandmother. Throughout there are parallels between the two stories. The landscape is described beautifully, you can imagine the sparseness and cold. It’s a story that is full of folklore and stories . One of the main themes in both timeframes is the role of women and motherhood . The women are strong and know what they want . As well as the landscape and the normal family life there is a body that has been found and both timelines are connected . It was an interesting atmospheric read and for me the early timeframe was the best . I loved reading about Freya and Gudrun and the tight bond they had throughout.

DNF at 45%. It had a strong start, but it very quickly just became dull. There was a lot of intrigue built around things that were already pretty obvious to the reader, and I really wasn't enjoying it so I decided not to push myself through to the end.

This a really good read. I enjoyed the two narrations between both past and present as they drew the story together nicely highlighting parallels between time periods and the sagas. The story has some excellent and strong female characters that are portrayed in such a positive way but whilst at the same time showing how difficult it can be to be a woman. The family relationships are also written really well. I absolutely love Iceland and the atmosphere of the island so it was the perfect backdrop for this story.

Historical fiction, dual timelines, incredibly complex female family bonds, men are the worst, set in Iceland! If a kidnapper held up this sign, I’d be napped.

But this really did have so many elements that I just adore! The relationships between all the different characters were so well thought out. Especially looking at Sigga’s relationship with her grandmother and comparing it with her mother. Freyja and Gudrun’s bond and the relationship they had with their father.

The atmosphere and the setting and oh just everything. 65 years really isn’t that long in the grand scheme of history, but the stark difference in life between the two time periods was so interesting to read!

Obviously we know from the blurb that a body is found in the 1975 timeline and this made for a bit of a mystery through both timelines, desperately wanting to know who it is but also praying it’s not who it probably is. And on top of that, who is Sigga and how does she tie in with Freyja and Gudrun. I was genuinely hooked, sweating and stressing at some points! But the ending / reveal had me in pieces. I’m still heartbroken!!

If you’re like me and love multiple timeline historical fiction, get ready to devour this!

The Swell
Kat Gordon
UK release date 27th Feb 2025

Iceland. 1910. In the middle of a severe storm, two sisters, Freya and Gudrun, rescue a mysterious, charismatic man from a shipwreck near a remote farm. Sixty five years later, a young woman, Sigga, is spending time with her grandmother when they learn a body has been discovered on a mountain side near Reykjavik, perfectly preserved in ice. Moving between the turn of the 20th century and the 1970's as a dark mystery is unravelled.

Set over two time periods this enjoyable, sometimes dark little read blends modern contemporary women's issues with the traditional re-relling of Icelandic sagas. A novel where women take complete centre stage battling both the elements and the restrictions placed on them by society with chapters in the 1970s referencing the women's rights movement.

Told amidst a backdrop of Icelandic folklore, scenery, food and society this is a tense, atmospheric story full of vivid detail - gripping - evocative, tragic but also uplifting i did find it easy to read but compelling and fascinating. With themes of feminism, motherhood, folk lore and the patriarchy this is a perfect book for those of you who enjoy a tale of strong women and of fiction mixed with fact. Highly enjoyable....🌟🌟🌟🌟 Thank you to NetGalley UK for the advanced copy ....

The Swell is an enjoyable read that blends the traditional storytelling of Icelandic sagas with contemporary women’s issues and concerns. Set over two time periods, 1910-11 and 1975, we accompany strong female characters battling both the elements and the patriarchy.

Kat Gordon merges reality with a hint of the supernatural to create an engaging storyline. I very much enjoyed the nature writing and descriptions of the weather. Not only did this conjure a strong mental image for me, but also a sense of otherworldly unease - evoked by the strange Icelandic landscape.

I found the 1910-11 sections the most engaging as I enjoyed the headstrong and independent character of Gudrun. Gordon kept up the sense of mystery throughout and I was kept guessing at how the characters in each timeline might be linked.

If you’re a fan of moody landscapes, strong female characters and discussion of feminism and motherhood, this is the book for you.

This is a dual timeline story, alternating between 1910-11 and 1975, incorporating mystery, love and plenty of strong women set in the not often written about landscape of Iceland.

At first, I struggled to get into this novel. It is well written and I enjoyed the chapters from the start but I couldn’t make the connection between the two timelines and I was frustrated not knowing who in the later years was connected to the people in the earlier stories. However, I decided to persevere and I’m so glad I did, as it all started to come together and make sense from about half way through.

In the book, Freya and Gudrun, rescue Danish Tomas, the only survivor from his ship caught in a storm. Tomas soon becomes part of the family, helping with work on their farm and is good company. However, he then disappears without a trace, most unlike him. Decades later, a preserved body is found on the mountainside near Reykjavik - could it be Tomas or is it someone else?

This is a rich, atmospheric read. I felt the unforgiving landscape, saw it in my mind’s eye, I could smell the local food and I enjoyed learning about Icelandic myths as I turned the pages. Women take centre stage in The Swell: strong women who know their minds but who also are capable of deep feelings and connections. The chapters set in the 1970s also include references to the women’s rights movements of the time.

All in all a really great read with many aspects and I am so pleased I didn’t give up at the start. If you fancy something a bit different then I highly recommend this one.

A very interesting and thought-provoking read. I was definitely more invested in the 1910 storyline than the one set in the 70s, but they both had a lot to say about different facets of feminism and what it means to be strong in different circumstances. It was very well written, full of evocative detail, and the setting of the 1910 story in particular felt like a character in its own right. Reading the author's note afterwards, I feel like I would probably have got more out of the book if I had been familiar with the Icelandic saga that inspired it.