Description

‘Gorgeously quirky’ Stylist

‘Evocative and humorous’ Observer

‘Beguiling’ Guardian

It’s been a tough day.

She’s been dumped. Twice. She’s accidentally killed a goose. And now she’s suddenly responsible for her best friend’s deaf-mute son.

But when a shared lottery ticket turns the oddly matched pair into the richest people in Iceland, she and the boy find themselves on a road trip across the country. With cucumber hotels, dead sheep, and any number of her exes on their tail, Butterflies in November is a blackly comic and uniquely moving tale of motherhood, friendship and the power of words.

Audur Ava Olafsdottir was born in Iceland in 1958, studied art history in Paris and has lectured in History of Art. Her earlier novel, The Greenhouse (2007), won the DV Culture Award for literature and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Award, and her other titles have been translated into 16 languages. She currently lives and works in Reykjavik as the director of the University of Iceland’s Art Museum.

‘Beautifully crafted and translated… Carefully observed, sensuously written, and often darkly comic’ Booktrust

Publisher Review

Funny and wistful... very moving, layered and optimistic -- Isabel Berwick Financial Times Evocative and humorous Observer [Butterflies in November] has many bleak moments, but plenty of funny ones too... we warm to Olafsdottir's clear-eyed, quirky heroine Daily Mail Playfully self-conscious... reflecting on the relationships between reading and experience Guardian Brilliantly written, and the main protagonist is such a fascinating character. The author... takes mudane subjects in life... and makes them quirky, fun, adorable and bizarre. You'll savour each page of this book Company Sadness and humour coexist beautifully in Butterflies in November Metro The darkly comic narrative touches and captivates at every turn The Lady Gorgeously quirky Stylist The prose is beautifully crafted and translated... Carefully observed, sensuously written, and often darkly comic - Butterflies in November is a moving story of self-discovery and motherhood. Highly recommended. Booktrust A comic, but also moving, story of divorce, escape and unplanned parental responsibilities Choice At once light, comical and uniquely moving. It is a legacy of life's mistakes; a deliciously unaffected commentary on the nature of relationships and motherhood; a feast of dramatic, rough-hewn landscapes, succulent local delicacies and peculiar customs. You will cry, you will laugh... and you will learn something new about the nature of love. Mumsnet What a fantastic novel! ... Just do yourself a favour and read this book Newbooksmag, 5-star reader review, and 5-star group read score Uplifting ... funny ... an addictive read PA Blackly funny and deeply moving Bookanista A funny, moving and occasionally bizarre exploration of life's upheavals and reversals Financial Times (Books of the Year) Amazingly different, witty, hilarious black comedy read...a must read which will bring a smile as you travel along with her and her young companion Lovereading Stunning story that holds you captive with its gentle intrigue and humour. A delightful, quirky book that you will love Lovereading A novel deeply indebted to feminine literary tradition...Laced with cynicism and irony... nevertheless a truthful and poignant study of a twenty-first century woman Lovereading Strangely addictive read, beautifully written Lovereading