Safe Return Doubtful

Translated from the Icelandic by Lytton Smith – published April 2026

Set in 1962, at a time of great change in the world, teenager Teddý lives with her parents on a remote farm in the Icelandic wilderness. Her life is dominated by lava fields, mountains and her approaching womanhood.

An American scientist is researching in the area, and when his assistant falls ill, he co-opts Teddý to help him for a couple of days. This is the first of two opportunities that fall at the perfect time in Teddý’s life. Some time later, she is out riding her horse, and as a storm arrives, shelters with another American, similarly working in the area. It turns out, the American is training as an astronaut.
Greatly influenced by these two random meetings, Teddý’s ambition to move away grows, as does her interest in flying, especially when she is at first told that that would not be possible for a woman.

This is a novel about dreams and opportunities. There maybe a convenient coincidence or two, but that is not the point of the novel. Pálsdóttir writes particularly well when describing her protagonist over the course of fity years, with an element of mystery to her, and yet fiercely determined. It would be easy for the story to become predictable and formulaic, but Pálsdóttir makes sure that doesn’t happen.

My GoodReads score 4 / 5