Storm Birds

In February 1959, several Icelandic trawlers were caught in a storm off Newfoundland's Grand Banks. This novel captures the sheer drama and terror of a crisis at sea, with 32 men aboard and a hold full of redfish. The sea is cold enough to kill a man in minutes, and the trawler quickly freezes up in the biting frost and violent tempest.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2020
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

This captivating novel excels in vividly capturing the awe-inspiring seascapes and the relentless forces of nature, while also delving deeply into the inner lives of the resilient crew, tirelessly battling against an implacable adversary. It stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, reminiscent of the works of renowned authors such as Erskine Caldwell and William Faulkner.

In February 1959, a series of Icelandic trawlers found themselves caught in a storm off Newfoundland's Grand Banks, a calamity that serves as the inspiration for this remarkable novel. Not since the unforgettable The Perfect Storm has a book captured the sheer drama and terror of a crisis at sea. Karason, an exceptional storyteller, possesses the talent of an Icelandic Erskine Caldwell or William Faulkner.

The side trawler Mafurinn, laden with a crew of thirty-two men and a hold full of redfish, encounters a devastating storm just as they prepare to return home. The freezing sea, capable of killing a man in mere minutes, envelops the trawler in a chilling frost and a fierce tempest. The heavy icing adds to the strain, weighing down the already fully laden craft, which is relentlessly pummeled by one breaking wave after another. In this vast expanse of the open sea, there is no escape route. Distress signals from other ships in similar circumstances echo through the fishing grounds, and the crew realizes they are engaged in a life-or-death struggle.

Translated from the Icelandic by Quentin Bates, this gripping tale unfolds in captivating prose, transporting readers to the heart of the treacherous ocean. It is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and determination in the face of overwhelming adversity. The Sunday Times has hailed it as "a gripping and exciting novel," while The Sunday Times BOOKS OF THE YEAR has recognized it as one of the year's finest literary achievements.

Weight: 94g
Dimension: 129 x 195 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780857059420