Summerlight, and then comes the night is a curious story which takes place in Iceland in a small village. The Universe, death, sexuality and nature are the heart of the story. Each chapter is set in different timelines, and there is no real guideline between them even though we meet the same characters several times. The title is a good representation  of Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s writing style. He takes us through his vision of life and puts nature at the heart of all. The beautiful landscapes of Iceland, the way to live there and a very different culture or vision of life are developed in it. We follow very poignant stories, where the best and the worst of humanity are visible, which makes the characters complex, human and moving. It’s a story of intertwined lives, where relationships blossom and secrets simmer beneath the surface. The novel also explores the duality of human nature : light and darkness, joy and sorrow. It invites the reader to ask himself multiple questions, to seek the meaning of the characters’ actions and conversations.

You’ll see, reading this book is an adventure in itself.