This book left me flattened. I honestly don't know what I can say about it, though it's clearly a great book. More time isn't enough, I'll have to read it again—preferably with a character sheet, and a map, and at least a general knowledge of Icelandic history, of which I know so little—although, in some ways I think I've picked up a bit. Independent People is epic and brutal and funny and starkly beautiful. I don't know what to make of this book, but it's probably one of the strongest works I've ever read.