This is a fascinating account of Heida's life in the Icelandic uplands, her dedication to her farm, her animals and her friends and their lifestyle. Pulled into politics against her will, she managed to lead the fight against a bully-boy power station development which would have ruined her very livelihood, as well as her home and the surrounding countryside.

I think this would be more difficult to read had I not visited Iceland last year, getting close to some of the places she describes, including the National Park where the power plant was planned. For someone without a basic feel for the language I think the names and place-names could be a distraction too far, since the story is presented in a rather disjointed and distracting fashion. I found some of the details and anecdotes repetitive, but that can add to the impact. The author wrote it on the basis of telephone interviews snatched at odd times in Heida's incredibly busy life.
A worthwhile and possibly inspirational read, nevertheless.

I’d like to thank John Murray Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Heida’ by Steinunn Sigurdardottir in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Heida farms five hundred sheep alone while her mother looks after the house and feeds her while she’s out on her land. She’s happiest in her tractor in which she spends a good part of each day, composing verse and dancing, so the bigger the tractor the better! The planned construction of the Buland Power Plant pushes Heida into politics which is a time-consuming and virtually unpaid occupation.

Although I‘m interested in farming and have read several books on the life of shepherds in the UK I found it difficult to get into ‘Heida’, perhaps because the style of writing wasn’t what I‘m used to and I didn’t know any of the places spoken about so I couldn’t locate them in a country I’m familiar with. Nevertheless, this book was interesting to read and the descriptions of her dancing in her tractor made me laugh. I have a great deal of admiration for Heida who works hard on her farm yet still manages to find time to represent her district on the municipal council and I’m only sorry I didn’t like the book enough to rate it higher.

Enjoyed reading about feisty Heida's annual cycle of life on a remote Icelandic farm. Anyone who's been to Iceland could appreciate the hard work and strength of character needed to farm in these harsh conditions, especially as a lone female farmer. This strength helps her fight against an energy company trying to erect a hydro-electric dam in her area. Good to know, as there are so many scars from times when destruction of the landscape for power plants and reservoirs was taken for granted. Thanks to the skilful writing, Heida's voice sings through the book and you feel she would be an interesting person to talk to. At times, it did ramble on a bit, but worth reading for the vivid descriptions of the scenery alone.

I am addicted to farming programmes and find Iceland one of the most fascinating countries in the world, not only for its landscape but also how poetry and its creation is embedded into the very heart of its people. So when Heiða, a memoir about a young Icelandic farmer who pounds out poetry in the cab of her tractor, came up for review I couldn’t resist taking a look at it.

This is a story of a woman’s life simply told. Although written by the Icelandic novelist Steinunn Sigurðardóttir, she has taken great care to keep Heiða’s distinctive voice sounding loud and clear throughout. It is a very intriguing voice because Heiða is a very interesting and independent woman.

Living way out in what many might consider a wilderness, is a source of bounty for Heiða, both in terms of livestock, and soul-enrichment. Yet not everyone sees the land as passionately as Heiða,who has been born into it, living and breathing its landscape on a daily basis. It is Heiða’s passion for her way of life which means she has to lock horns with corporate giants to prevent an ecological devastation of her world.The David and Goliath battle that ensues, as a prominent power company manoeuvres to compulsorily purchase land for a power generating dam, is as nail-biting as any thriller or as epic a tale as any of The Sagas of the Icelanders.

But woven within this drama is the day-to-day work on the farm, which can be demanding, relentless and heart-breaking as Heiða works to keep her livestock safe in an environment that can change from sun to freezing storms in a moment.

What came through this plain-speaking young woman’s account of her life while fighting the utility giants, family tragedy and running her farm, was her incredible zest for life and the need to live it to the full. I hate using the word inspirational, but Heiða is that type of book and well worth a read for anyone with a passion for conservation or just wondering how to lift themselves above what seems to be the kind of life which might throw far too many challenges at them.

A fascinating biography , such a strong woman and it was lovely reading about Iceland and the bonds she has with farming and her animals. It’s entertaining too, she’s really funny, felt a bit chaotic at times but I think that’s more her personality and it made it charming.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I requested this book because I have always wanted to see Iceland and am fascinated by the history, countryside and lifestyle. This book was a thoroughly enjoyable account of Heida’s life as she works her farm and fights the politics that threaten her livelihood and the surrounding countryside. No doubt I would have got even more out of it if I had seen some of the places described but this was still a great read. I’m even keener to visit Iceland now.

This wasn’t quite what I expected going into it but still thoroughly enjoyable. The book does occasionally veer away from the topic of farming but it adds to the enjoyment of it. A highly fascinating biography that will appeal to a wide areay of readers, not just those interested in farming.

Heida is an amazingly resilient woman, working so hard running a sheep farm in a remote valley in Iceland. She is has a strong bond with her land and sheep and also with family and friends. One can't help but admire her and her achievements fitting, as she does,.an amazing amount of work in her day. She has a sense of fun despite all the hardships and toughness of her chosen life. The book itself is slightly rambling but it's as though Heida is talking directly to the reader and, as in real life, the conversation goes off track in subject matter to be picked up again later. The Icelandic names took a bit of getting used to but I found by creating a short form in my head they didn't detract overall. A fascinating account of a different world.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book before publication date. I don't know whether it was all the Icelandic place names or the way this book is constructed that meant I found it difficult to read. It seem to jump all over the place and people's and place names did not role off the tongue either. I wanted more shepherd details and less about which piece of farming machinery was in use. Also when the possibility of a political interlude came along I lost interest.

A lovely book to read. Heidi made me laugh, she has a sense of fun about her. I can picture her dancing in her tractor. Her values come from her family and she's not afraid of hard work.

Did not finish at around 25%. I might come back to it but just couldn't get into it, sorry. Just didn't click with the voice/style though the su jects were interesting. Thanks for it though!

Heida a sheep farmer Heida a model Heida a politician. She is a sheep farmer with a 500 sheep on her farm a strong woman who can handle a bale of hay scan ewes for pregnancy has an interest in town politics and wouldn’t mind meeting a man.This is a wonderful read Heida her life her family her friends living in Iceland known as the end of the world.nextbto a Volcano A unique life a life that proves women have amazing strength I loved getting a chance to visit her farm her world. #netgalley #Johnmurraypress