Read and discuss literature with our Nordic Book Club Online! Nordic Book Club meets monthly via Zoom to discuss contemporary literature in translation. On November 4, we’ll be discussing the novel Embroidery by Icelandic author Sigrún Pálsdóttir.

At the turn of the 20th century, Sigurlína finds herself in a hopeless situation. She is the motherless daughter of an eccentric father, who expects her to spend her life helping him catalogue Icelandic archaeological artifacts.

But Sigurlína has her own ambitions of education and excitement and after a harrowing experience, takes fate into her own hands. She disappears from Reykjavík, along with a historical relic from her father’s collection. Through a series of incredible events, the artifact is unveiled at The Metropolitan Museum of New York. Meanwhile, officials in Iceland launch their own investigation into the theft of the artifact.

The winner of the 2021 EU Prize for Literature, Embroidery weaves a tragicomic tale about the preservation of cultural treasure, an intriguing perspective on the coincidences that have determined their place in history and a thrilling and winding story of the human fates that underpin it all.

Embroidery is available in paperback from Open Letter Books and other retailers.