The Mark

A debut novel of urgent big ideas imbued with pacy plotting and atmospheric power, by an exciting Icelandic literary talent.

'Absolutely stunning.' Hernan Diaz
'Brilliant.' Mariana Enriquez
'A masterpiece.' Kaveh Akbar

The Icelandic Psychological Association has prepared a test.

'Absolutely stunning.' Hernan Diaz
'Brilliant.' Mariana Enriquez
'A masterpiece.' Kaveh Akbar

The Icelandic Psychological Association has prepared a test. They call it a sensitivity assessment: a way of measuring a person's empathy and identifying the potential for anti-social behaviour.

In a few days' time, Iceland will vote on whether to make the test compulsory for every citizen. The nation is bitterly divided. Some believe the test makes society safer; others decry it as a violation.

As the referendum draws closer, four people - Vetur, Eyja, Tristan and Ólafur - find themselves caught in the teeth of the debate. Each of them will have to reckon with uncomfortable questions: Where do the rights of society end and the rights of the individual begin? When does utopia become dystopia?

No matter which side wins, they will all have to find a way to live with the result.