The Ice Palace
The Ice Palace
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1963
Book Brief
176
Novel • Fiction
Norway • 1960s
1963
Adult
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas tells the story of two eleven-year-old girls, Unn and Siss, who form a sudden, intense friendship that is challenged when Unn disappears after exploring an ice formation. Set against a Scandinavian backdrop, the narrative explores themes of loss, memory, and acceptance as Siss copes with Unn's absence.
Mysterious
Melancholic
Contemplative
Emotional
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
12,530 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Tarjei Vesaas's The Ice Palace is lauded for its evocative prose and atmospheric storytelling, capturing the stark beauty and isolation of the Norwegian landscape. Critics praise its deep exploration of friendship and loss. However, some find its slow pace and ambiguous elements challenging. Overall, it is celebrated for its poetic and haunting narrative.
Who Should Read The Ice Palace?
Readers who enjoy introspective, poignant narratives with a focus on nature and human emotion will appreciate Tarjei Vesaas's The Ice Palace. Fans of The Secret History by Donna Tartt and My Antonia by Willa Cather will find similar themes of isolation and profound, haunting beauty.
12,530 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
176
Novel • Fiction
Norway • 1960s
1963
Adult
14-18 years
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