A Place Apart

A Place Apart offers a rich and reflective representation of Iceland and Icelanders today. Kirsten Hastrup draws upon extensive first-hand research, but also upon her original theory of what anthropology is and should be, which this book exemplifies. In two previous books she studied the processes and patterns which shaped Icelandic society from medieval times to the nineteenth century; now she brings this historical study up to date by giving a view from within the contemporary Icelandic world. She examines images of Icelandicness and how they relate to local social experience; she seeks to convey how Icelandic villagers understand their world; she traces resonances from history in contemporary life; she gives a unique view of a unique place.