Bitter and hopeful, realistic and bizarre, World Light [Heimsljós] … captures the contradictions and ambiguities that have characterized not only the literary achievement but even the Icelandic reputation of Halldór Laxness…. To his Icelandic countrymen Laxness is a source of pride for his masterful writing and yet a constant irritant because of his relentlessly honest portrayal of the meanest, along with the noblest, qualities of his Icelandic characters.

World Light was hardly designed to meet the demands of chauvinistic critics. Its village and peasant characters range from narrowminded superstitiousness to parochial foolishness in their conduct. (pp. 420-21)

Laxness portrays these characteristics through his narrative of Olaf Karason, a folk poet of less talent than desire. Olaf's adventures, by turn grimly realistic and wildly incredible, mark him as an outsider to be buffeted and abused by his society, a society that admires poetry, at least nominally, but scorns...