Der nordische Gott Odin kehrt zurück in ein fiktives Skandinavien und erlebt Erstaunliches.
Eine zeitgenössische nordische Saga über religiösen und politischen Fanatismus, über Wahrheit und Lüge, über Konflikte und Demagogie, über Freundschaft und Liebe – eine kluge Zivilisationskritik und Analyse unserer Gesellschaft.
Unterhaltsam und zugleich voller Tiefgang wird die Frage nach der menschlichen Natur gestellt.
Es ist eine klirrend kalte Winternacht, und dichter Schneefall behindert die Sicht, als die junge Bankangestellte Sigbrit Holland um Haaresbreite einen kleinen alten Mann überfährt. Der erschöpfte, halb erfrorene Alte erzählt ihr eine wunderliche Geschichte:
Er habe im Himmel Unheilsbotschaften überbringen müssen, sei in einen Meteorstrm geraten, habe deswegen auf einer Insel notlanden müssen, und suche jetzt auf dem Festland nach einem geeigneten Tierarzt für sein verletztes Pferd.
Sigbrit führt die ihr unerklärlichen Reden auf einen Schock zurück und bringt den liebenswürdigen Alten in ein Krankenhaus. Dort hält man ihn wechselweise für ein berechnenden Witschaftsflüchtling oder für verrückt und sperrt ihn ein. Ein Fehler, wie sich schon bald herausstellt, als diverse religiöse und politische Gruppen Odin zu ihrer Ikone machen. Chaos ist die Folge. Odin selbst versteht nicht, was passiert, er möchte einfach nur zur Insel zurückkehren. Sigbrit Holland und der Fischer Ambrosius versuchen zu helfen. Aber zuvor müssen sie sich auf eine lange Odyssee begeben, um die Frage der geheimnisvollen Insel zu klären.
…….
”Tolkien und Umberto Eco lassen grüssen in diesem wunderbaren Roman.” Berlingske Tidende
”Ein Buch, das nur so strotz vor Leben.” – Weekendavisen
Auf English:
“Odin’s Island is a modern folk tale; one dealing with politics, the media, religion and a war between Denmark and Sweden over an island few people knew existed. The style is timeless, … understanding comes at an almost subliminal level. … Published in Danish in the late 1990’s, Odin’s Island was written before the ‘Cartoon’ riots in Denmark made the news, which makes Teller’s description of a country riven by fundamentalism scarily prescient; not least for showing how quickly a supposedly rational culture can unravel.” – The Daily Telegraph, United Kingdom
“Janne Teller’s novel is beautifully written, finely composed, entertaining and moving, as well as very far reaching. But there are even more reasons to wish that this book would never end. Beneath the firework of wondrous events, fundamental questions are raised: the contrast between authentic faith and cheap spiritualism, between the reason of rationality and the reason of the spirit, between tolerance and fundamentalism, acceptance or exclusion of diversity, between nihilism and hope – within a world that doesn’t know where it’s going and perhaps not even where it comes from. All this in one book? Yes, if this is the book!” – Letture, Italy
“In a truly epic narrative loaded with both humor and mystery, Odin’s adventures take us deep into an imaginary North. … a magnificent story teller… at one and the same time a thriller, a comedy, a political satire, a burlesque reflection on human folly, a story of love and friendship as well as an eccentric tale. In short, a fabulous work of fiction. The almost 500 p. conquer immediately – and seduce forever.” – Le Soir, Belgium
“An explosion of a novel. A critique of civilization, a satire of society, a thriller, a dooms day prophecy, and an unusual love story, all woven into a fabulous mythological tale … A greatly mastered, entertaining and vibrant book.” – Weekendavisen, Denmark
”Janne Teller has with ODIN created a classic literary figure.” – Politiken, Denmark
”A new direction for Danish literature.” – Berlingske Tidende, Denmark
”Thrilling … – To read ODIN’S ISLAND is like stepping into a large space governed by the imagination and where the cold and compelling whisper of the Nordic Gods can be constantly sensed. … You’re fascinated by the book, pour your questions into it and lose yourself to its realm.” – Information, Denmark
”An amazing, mystical and at the same time very real story about the modern Danish society, seen through a fairy tale lens which turns our focus to very new and unusual skies. Simultaneously humorous and satirical as well as so magnificently fantastic that it’s in line with both folktale, mythology, and also Tolkien’ish elements. … A grandiose, comprehensive, colourful and spell-binding tale, a fable, a fairy tale and a very thrilling, entertaining and absolutely wonderful story!” – De Nordjyske Stifstidender, Denmark
“A grand tale of the imagination about our contemporary world.” – Corriere della Sera, Italy
“With her magic tale, Janne Teller crosses paths of no less than Tolkien and Umberto Eco, and is in tune with as great a narrator as Karen Blixen. But Janne Teller has created her very own universe. … ODIN’s ISLAND is a fabulously enjoyable read.” – BT, Denmark
“The novel is relevant at all latitudes as it tells about a society such as our own, with the fanaticism and the extremism, the intolerance and the nationalism that Odin unmasks with both the poetry and the simplicity of ancient wisdom.” – La Repubblica, Italy
“With her first novel the Danish writer Janne Teller …, seems to induce all of us to disclose our deep nature and follow Odino’s destiny in order to answer, with poetry, simplicity and wisdom, to the crises that grieve us.” – L’Osservatore Romano, Italy
“Aided by his two ravens named “Thought” and “Memory” as well as by his poetry of ancient wisdom, Odin ends a war and tells men and women of our time something very important.” – Radio Vaticana, Italy
“With incredible lightness of touch, and using some elements typical only of the traditional folk tales, Janne Teller succeeds in creating a Nordic saga for our times.” – TeleRoma, Italy
“An intriguing and amusing, blend of Nordic mythology and poetry, modern love story, biting social satire, political and religious intrigue, and pure fantasy, all woven into an irresistible narrative. In ODIN’S ISLAND Teller proves herself a master of fantasy, adventure, satire, and magic, and of the description and peopling of an imaginary world beyond the quotidian. “ – World Literature Today, USA
Publiziert in, ia: Dänemark, Schweden, Deutschland, Italien, Frankreich und Spanien
