Hotel Silence

Humane, eccentric and bleakly funny * Sunday Times *
Ólafsdóttir's writing is at once profoundly Icelandic... and universal... her authorial voice is immediate and intimate * Financial Times *
What's so wonderful is the understatement, the humour, the philosophical depth; above all, the lovely optimism * Daily Mail *
A dark comedy that deals with our darkest thoughts with deft humour, and boasts some surprisingly insightful truths about human nature * Esquire *
A novel of healing and redemption * Financial Times, Best Summer Reads *
Bizarre, black humour can be a good thing, as Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir's fifth novel proves... For fans of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen * Independent, Best New Novels for 2018 *
An uplifting tale of how to carry on in difficult circumstances * The Gloss (Irish Times) *
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir's speciality is the small journeys we take in order to save ourselves and the ones we care for. She is the heart's finest map-maker * Sjón *
A beautifully written, quirky and heartwarming novel . . . this life affirming, perfectly poised story is ideal fireside reading - good for the winter blues. * The Lady *
Hotel Silence is one of the most human books I've read in a while. It reminds me of The Clown by Heinrich Boll. I loved it * Daniel Wallace, author of 'Extraordinary Adventures' and 'Big Fish' *
Jónas Ebeneser leaves his home in Iceland for a city thousands of miles away pummelled by war and violence, now at tentative peace. He brings with him only his toolbox, scars, and grief. While he plans his suicide, the people of the town draw him out with their endless list of broken items to be fixed. With humor and simple, heart-piercing prose, Hotel Silence tells the story of a man and his past, and the community where he finds himself. Ólafsdóttir's world is full of surprise, sadness, love, and transformation. I didn't want it to end * Bethany Ball, author of 'What To Do About the Solomons' *
In Jonas, Ólafsdóttir has created a rounded, humorous character and it is a pleasure to spend some time in his company * Bookoxygen *
For those already impressed by her track record, the book confirms Auður's stature * This is Splice *
Taut, pithy... Ólafsdóttir excels in exploring what bedevils Jónas and the novel's other men: a conception of manhood that prevents them from articulating emotion or understanding power except as violence * New Yorker *
This charming novel of second chances and fateful journeys is filled with quiet hope... Ólafsdottir's blend of sly humor and bleak realities makes for a life-affiriming tale without any treacle * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *
Witty, soulful, lighthearted, and tender, this charming and immersive new work from the award-winning author of Butterflies in November is a great choice for book discussion groups * Library Journal (starred review) *
Told in surreal, almost Kafkaesque prose, Ólafsdóttir's stunning story is about one man's unexpected reawakening. An engaging and surprising tale of transformation, told in almost allegorical form, perfect for fans of second chances and evolving perspectives * Kirkus *
Hotel Silence is a beautifully spare and insightful tale of redemption * Booklist *
Charmingly quirky... understated and incredibly impactful * Nudge Books *
Wry and kooky, serious and sad, Hotel Silence enthralls and entertains. Readers yet to discover Ólafsdóttir's magic should begin here with this, her finest novel to date * The National *
A reflective and uplifting novel about second chances - a must-read! * CUB Magazine *
Even in translation Auður Ava's prose is evident as she breathes life into Jonas, an utterly charming literary hero * The Word's Shortlist (blog) *
A captivating read * Never Imitate (blog) *
A quietly powerful piece of fiction managing to both entertain and deliver a message of hope through shared humanity and cooperation * A Life in Books (blog) *
Praise for Butterflies in November * / *
Funny and wistful... very moving, layered and optimistic -- Isabel Berwick on Butterflies in November * Financial Times *
Evocative and humorous * Observer, on Butterflies in November *
[Butterflies in November] has many bleak moments, but plenty of funny ones too... we warm to Olafsdottir's clear-eyed, quirky heroine * Daily Mail *
Playfully self-conscious... reflecting on the relationships between reading and experience -- Guardian * on Butterflies in November *
Brilliantly written, and the main protagonist is such a fascinating character. The author... takes mudane subjects in life... and makes them quirky, fun, adorable and bizarre. You'll savour each page of this book -- Company * on Butterflies in November *
Sadness and humour coexist beautifully in Butterflies in November * Metro *
The darkly comic narrative touches and captivates at every turn -- The Lady * on Butterflies in November *
Gorgeously quirky -- Stylist * on Butterflies in November *
A funny, moving and occasionally bizarre exploration of life's upheavals and reversals -- Financial Times (Books of the Year) * on Butterflies in November *