Why read All the Horses of Iceland?

Book cover of All the Horses of Iceland

Book description

A hypnotic historical fantasy with gorgeous and unusual literary prose, from the captivating author of The Fourth Island.

Everyone knows of the horses of Iceland, wild, and small, and free, but few have heard their story. Sarah Tolmie’s All the Horses of Iceland weaves their mystical origin into a saga…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked All the Horses of Iceland as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Kate Heartfield

Author

This is a slim book and it's told in an intimate, lyrical voice that feels like it's speaking directly to you from the period – which, in this case, is the 9th century CE.

All the Horses of Iceland follows a Norse trader through Rus to Mongolia in the company of Khazars. It's a ghost story, with notes of sadness mixed with wonder. And while it is possible to trace the journey and pick up on historical signposts, the book doesn't acknowledge that it knows when and where its reader might be – which bolsters the illusion of reading…

From Kate's list on transporting you to a foggy valley in medieval Europe.

Libbie Grant

Author

I’ve been a certified horse nut since I was a girl, and this novel—another new one from the 2022 crop of all-time literary blockbusters—is the perfect marriage of two of my favorite things: horses (particularly the Icelandic breed) and gorgeous, ethereal prose. Of course, it’s not just about horses, so you’ll find it intriguing and delightful even if you weren’t an O.G. horse girl. Tolmie’s voice carries a mythic tang that draws you in and holds you fast as you explore a world that existed before Christian colonization. It’s just beautiful and wonderful; I loved every page.

From Libbie's list on historical fiction featuring gorgeous prose.