Murder Novels (Without Any Murders?)
How can Icelandic crime novels be so popular when Iceland has one of the lowest homicide rates in the world?
[They have more murders than Liechtenstein, though.] You can blame Stieg Larsson and his cash cow trilogy. But an Icelander would never admit to being inspired by a Swede. Or want to be grouped in the trendy Nordic Noir subgenre. They are a standalone country with enough quirks and perversions to create a category of their own. With novels being turned into movies being turned into Hollywood remakes, it's a real feeding frenzy out there. Arnaldur Indriðason's book Mýrin (also published as Tainted Blood) became the Icelandic film Jar City which is being remade in the US by the same director. Reykjavik-Rotterdam is also getting an American reboot, starring Mark Wahlberg, and directed by the star of the Icelandic production. And although it was never a book, there is bound to be a novelization of the movie (with Marky Mark's face on the cover.) Confused yet? |
Yah, you betcha they won't remake this in Reykjavik.
In spite of the recent hype, we can trace the entire genre--both movies and books--back to a cold and quirky film called Fargo. Yes, it took place in the midwest US (mostly Minnesota, not the North Dakota promised by the title.) But it's landscape, characters, and temperament are classic Icelandic.
So resist the hype. And until Iceland can produce a bonafide murderer, relive the magic with pregnant Marge and her cast of wood chipping thinly-disguised Reykjavikians.
So resist the hype. And until Iceland can produce a bonafide murderer, relive the magic with pregnant Marge and her cast of wood chipping thinly-disguised Reykjavikians.