Dalvi: Six Years in the Arctic Tundra

Laura Galloway's ancestry test revealed a connection to the Sámi people, inspiring her to move to Kautokeino, Norway. She spent six years in a reindeer-herding village, learning the language and forging a solitary existence. Her time in the North opened her to a new world and brought reconciliation and peace with the traumatic events that had defined her. Dálvi is a heart-rending memoir and a love letter to the region.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2022
Publisher: Atlantic Books

Dálvi: A Journey to the Heart of the Arctic

Laura Galloway's curiosity was sparked when an ancestry test revealed a shared DNA link with the Sámi people, the indigenous inhabitants of the Arctic tundra. Fueled by her wanderlust, she embarked on a journey that led her to the remote town of Kautokeino, Norway. It was there that she fell in love with a Sámi reindeer herder, a relationship that ultimately shaped her life.

However, when her new boyfriend unexpectedly left her after just six months, Laura found herself in a foreign land with no clear path back home. Undeterred, she decided to stay for six years, immersing herself in the culture and language of the Sámi people.

Dálvi is a captivating memoir that chronicles Laura's time in a reindeer-herding village in the Arctic. It explores the challenges she faced as she struggled to learn the language and adapt to a community that had no established guidelines for integration. Through her experiences, Laura discovered a new world and found solace in the healing powers of nature.

But Dálvi is not just a memoir; it is also a love letter to the unique landscape of the Arctic. Laura's vivid descriptions of the region's breathtaking beauty and the intricate relationship between the Sámi people and their environment bring the reader into a world that is both awe-inspiring and deeply personal.

In her journey, Laura found not only a sense of belonging but also reconciliation and peace with the traumatic events that had previously defined her life. The sudden death of her mother when she was three, a difficult childhood, and her lifelong search for connection and a sense of home had left deep scars. However, her time in the Arctic allowed her to confront these challenges head-on and heal in ways she never thought possible.

Dálvi is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of nature to heal. It is a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or disconnected, and it offers a glimpse into a culture that is often overlooked and misunderstood. Through her warm and humble portrayal of the Sámi people and their way of life, Laura invites the reader to explore the wonders of the Arctic and discover the importance of belonging.

In conclusion, Dálvi: A Journey to the Heart of the Arctic is a captivating memoir that explores the complexities of love, loss, and belonging in a remote and breathtaking landscape. Laura Galloway's journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the healing powers of nature. Through her vivid descriptions and personal experiences, she invites the reader to discover the wonders of the Arctic and embrace the importance of belonging.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 506 x 198 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911630685
Edition number: Main