Review – The Smile of the Wolf by Tim Leach
Historical fiction tends to favour big ticket events in human history, so it’s always nice to see someone play the obscure card as Tim Leach does with The Smile of the Wolf. Set in Iceland a thousand years ago, the story tells of the Norse settlers who had made their home there, and of some of the issues they faced along the way.
Kjaran is a skald, a storyteller. The son of a slave, he’ll never own property, so the nomadic lifestyle of the skald suits him well. He’s not the best, but he certainly has his fan club. First among them is Gunnar, an old school Viking warrior who has given up his raiding days to set up as a farmer in the new land. When stories come of a ghost haunting a nearby property, Gunnar and Kjaran set off to investigate. What they discover alters their life forever.
Let’s get this bit out of the way first – there are no ghosts in this book. Numerous references to gods and monsters, but this is fiction truly rooted in our past. The author paints a picture of Iceland that is harsh and unforgiving, but also beautiful. The inhabitants love their land and have little desire to leave, despite the hardships they face.The society is interesting, one firmly rooted in the past, but also progressive in their striving to develop a nation without kings or prominent rulers. Sure, there are some wealthy types who hold more sway than others, but no one gets to rule.
Kjaran, being a skald, tells us the story, and he is certainly engaging, at times creating some wonderful imagery. The plot lacks much action, but still manages to rattle along at a brisk pace. The characters are interesting, mere farmers and tradesmen trying to follow the old Viking ways, despite not being cut out for it for the most part.
Be warned though. This is a bleak tale, not dissimilar in style to The Winter Road by Adrian Selby, although not as cruel. It’s a worthwhile read though, especially if you’re looking for something somewhat different to what else is out there.
A bleak, frozen 4 out 5 stars.
