The Tricking of Freya

(Paperback)

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Description

This is the story of Freya Morris, daughter of sober and responsible Anna, niece of wild and unpredictable Birdie, and granddaughter of the revered poet Olafur. Olafur and his wife fled Iceland to Canada after the massive volcanic eruption of 1875. As a result, Freya grows up with her mother in Connecticut, and her extended family in the Icelandic community of Gimli, Canada. A series of events leaves Freya with a sense of shame and loss: a freak accident, Freya's kidnapping, a return to Iceland, and the accidental discovery of a long-hidden family secret. Freya's story deftly weaves in Iceland's history, landscape, mythology and literary heritage, spanning generations in this gripping, lyrical and heartbreaking novel.

Reviews

"Packed with delectable relationships and family secrets . . . We come away charmed, moved, and larger within, having toured a hidden world with a passionate guide." --Joan Frank, San Francisco Chronicle

"An intricate family travelogue...This grand coming-of-age-novel boasts a dynamic set of characters and a rich bank of cultural and personal lore, making this dark, cold family tale a surprisingly lush experience." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Sparkles with the author's love of language and of her own Icelandic culture. The book's masterfully told final mysteries reveal themselves as magically as darkroom images appearing under the light." --More magazine

"An impressive debut . . . This novel works on several levels: as a drama of family dynamics; as an immigrant story; and as a showcase for the author's broad and deep knowledge of Iceland." --Mary Ann Gwinn, The Seattle Times

"An excellent debut . . . If all you know about Iceland is failed banks and Bjork, this is a highly readable introduction." --Yvonne Zipp, The Christian Science Monitor

"[An] amazing debut...Like the famed poet within, Sunley's writing is truly poetic. She brings here settings alive in a way that will make you believe that you have been there and experienced it all yourself." --BookBitch.com

"Epic... Sunley's research shines through in a story in which the landscape of Iceland is as much a character as Freya, making this an exceptional and unique coming-of-age novel. " --Washington State Journal

"Irresistible...smoldering emotions in a cold climate." --Telegraph Herald

Author Bio

Christina was born in New York City and raised on Long Island. As an undergraduate, she attended Wesleyan University and then New York University, where she received a BFA in film. She has a Masters in English/ Creative Writing from San Francisco State University.