The Unseen

The novel, recognized as a finalist for the Man Booker International Prize in 2017, delves into the life of Ingrid Barrøy, a woman born and raised on an island that shares her family's name. This island encompasses the entirety of their existence, from their livestock and crops to their dreams and aspirations. Ingrid’s father envisions a future where a quay connects them to the mainland, though he is aware that bridging the gap to the wider world entails significant risks. Her mother, with her own set of aspirations, dreams of more children and a life on a smaller island, yet there remains an unspoken question that Ingrid knows she must never voice to her. Life on the island is grueling, reliant on what can be harvested from the earth or drawn from the sea. As Ingrid grows older, she is sent to the mainland to work for a wealthy coastal family. During this time, Norway is also beginning to embrace the complexities and challenges of the modern world, which is occasionally harsh and unforgiving. When tragedy strikes, Ingrid finds herself in a battle to safeguard the home she once thought she had left behind forever. The story is brought to life in English through the translation efforts of Don Bartlett and Don Shaw, capturing the essence of the original Norwegian narrative.