The Ice Lands

The Ice Lands by Steinar Bragi is set against the backdrop of Iceland’s volcanic hinterlands, four thirty-somethings from Reykjavík embark on an ambitious camping trip, their jeep packed with supplies. The purpose of the trip is to heal both professional and personal wounds but the desolate landscape forces the group to reflect on the shattered lives they’ve left behind in the city. As their jeep hurtles through the wilderness, an impenetrable fog descends, causing them to suddenly crash into a rural farmhouse. Seeking refuge from the storm, the friends discover that the isolated dwelling is inhabited by a mysterious elderly couple who barricade themselves inside every night. As the merciless weather blocks every attempt at escape, they are forced to confront difficult questions: who has been butchering animals near the house? What happened to the abandoned village nearby where bones lie strewn across the ground? And most importantly, will they ever return home?