When I got a house in the Ukrainian countryside, it was pure magic. The peace was so deep, a silence that seeped into my bones. At first I wasn't there for the people. I was there to enjoy the deep tranquility and the space to just be. I had a partner and his wife nearby, and my city life was just a 40-minute drive away, but in the middle of winter, everything changes. The outside world turns into a beautiful, silent snowball, and I find myself living in a different time.
I was stuck. And alone. Just me, endless cups of tea and movie marathons. Adding firewood to the fireplace. And it was in that solitude, in that beautiful calm, that I discovered that I loved the countryside and enjoyed the tranquility that comes with it, along with other things that I didn't know existed.
When I read Hannah Kent's memoir, Always Home, Always Homesick, I felt a deep and instant connection. I could see myself in his words, in his story.
The book begins with Hannah Kent's trip to Iceland when she was a teenager. A place that seems cold and lonely on the outside, but for her it became a close place that changed her life. She accompanies you on the emotional and physical journey of her 17-year-old self as she navigates a new culture, language, and the deep sense of otherness that comes with living far from home. She doesn't just describe a place; She makes you feel it. You can almost feel the wind on your face and see the beautiful, desolate terrain through their eyes. This is not the story of a quick vacation; It's a story about becoming part of a place and letting it become part of you.
From stranger to narrator
From the beginning, Kent takes you into his world. She paints a clear picture of her youthful self, filled with fear and excitement. He arrives in Iceland, a place of raw, breathtaking beauty where the stories and sagas he loves seem alive. She is a foreigner who has to learn new customs and deal with the difficulty of learning a new language, just like when I had to learn a new language in Ukraine. But as the days turn into weeks and months, the loneliness he initially felt turns into a deep sense of connection. The Icelandic people, the language, the stories and the landscape itself begin to penetrate her. The book's narrative is not a simple travelogue; It is an internal journey. It's about how a physical space can shape your inner world.
His stories from the winter in Iceland struck me as they were very similar to what I went through in Ukraine. That feeling of being alone in a huge silence, with the snow covering everything and making you think about yourself. He talks about the Icelanders in a wonderful way and tells how he learned about their quiet strength and tenacity. This bond he establishes with the land and the people is what inspires his debut book, Burial Rites. It is interesting to see how the writer's life experiences shaped her creativity in this biography.
A deep and relatable experience
This is not your typical travel memoir. It's about finding a place to live in a different country and the peculiar feeling of belonging while still missing the home you left behind. Kent's writing is real and honest. She doesn't hide from the difficult parts of her journey, like being alone, frustrated, and deeply missing home. It reminds you that you have to be open to a place in order to truly connect with it.
The book was like a mirror for me. It reminded me of how I felt alone and how I found beauty in silence. It reminds us that the most important things we learn are often not about the world around us, but about ourselves. This book is for you if you have ever felt like you didn't belong or if you have ever been in a new place and changed because of it.
- Experience: The main thing this book deals with is Hannah Kent's own life. This book was very relatable and helpful because I had a similar experience in Ukraine.
- Expertise: Kent demonstrates her competence as a writer and storyteller by crafting a narrative that is both intimate and universal.
- Authority: The book is a memoir by an author who has received much praise for her work. It is a true first-person story.
- Integrity: Kent's writing seems real and honest. She speaks honestly about her experiences, which makes the reader trust her.
Why you should read this book
This book is a must-read for anyone who likes stories about finding yourself, the power of place, and the creative process. It will take you to the stunning landscapes of Iceland and make you think about your own travels. The novel is quiet, but its message is strong: you can be homesick and home at the same time, and that's okay.
Hard copy, e-book and audio copy available for 16.99 and the publisher is Pan Macmillan.
What did you think of the book? Please leave a comment with your opinions.
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