The Swell by Kat Gordon

....In places of darkness, women will rise...

I really enjoyed this book (so much that I ended up buying a physical copy for my Mom). I have a soft spot for books set in Iceland, as my grandfather was Icelandic and his sister was named Guðrun. There’s something about the stark landscapes, the sense of isolation, and the quiet intensity of the tales that always pulls me in. The Swell by Kat Gordon absolutely delivers on the atmosphere. To me, it felt immersive without trying too hard, letting the setting do its work in shaping the mood and the mystery of Guðrun in 1910 and Sigga in the 1970s (around the time of the Rauðsokkahreyfingin or Red Stocking Movement to combat misogyny and demand equality).

The story unfolds across dual timelines (I do love books with dual timelines!). One thread follows a contemporary narrative featuring Sigga, while the other slowly reveals events from the past (Guðrun and her sister Freya), and the connection between them is teased out in a really satisfying, slow-burn way. I thought that it was a thoughtful mystery where each small reveal matters and helps to piece together how the timelines intersect.

The emotional undercurrent is just as compelling as the mystery itself. There’s a quiet tension running through both timelines, with themes of memory, loss, women's independence, and identity woven in without making the storylines feel too heavy-handed.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the audiobook. The narration was perfect!! The voice actor/narrator had exactly the right tone for the story. I’d highly recommend experiencing it this way if you can.

Overall, this was a beautifully layered novel with a strong sense of place and a mystery that rewards patience. Easy five stars from me!