This is a compendium of Call of the Wild, White Fang, and two short stories, Bâtard and Love of Life. I read Call of the Wild first which I generally enjoyed but didn’t love the racism. Couldn’t stand White Fang or Bâtard and was planning on rating this 1.5 stars rounded up but now it’s 2.5 rounded down because Love of Life is so spectacular.

In only 25 pages we get a fantastic examination of the human will to live, and the repercussions when we succeed at all costs. I recommend finding Love of Life somewhere in the public domain but not so much the rest of this collection.

Delightful collection of stories about Icelandic elves, translated by the author from Icelandic Folk Tales and Legends by Jón Árnason and Magnús Grímsson, originally published in 1852. On their own, the stories are pretty grim and dark. Sigmundsdóttir also made the editorial choice to not edit repetitive details out too much, so you’re getting as close to the original as possible.

Luckily after each tale, Sigmundsdóttir provides any necessary context and interpretation of what the larger meaning and placement in Icelandic culture is. Her lighthearted tone makes this a fun and very informational read.

If you can read past the misogyny and racism, this is a classic noir detective story littered with dead bodies and quippy one-liners. Our star detective is Phillip Marlowe, a fellow with a lot of class and plenty of professional standards that stay steadfast or go by the wayside, depending on his feelings on the matter. This being the first in a series, I imagine a lot more character development is in store for those who continue. I will happily not be in their number, as the misogyny/racism simply isn’t for me.

Highly recommend the audiobook, narrated by Elliot Gould. His voice is absolute perfection for this story.