ISLAND OF THE DOOMED by Stig Dagerman | Book Review

A book review of Stig Dagerman's Island of the Doomed (1946), trans. Laurie Thompson.

Paperback, 338 pages
Published 2011 by University of Minnesota Press (originally published in Sweden in 1946)
ISBN: 0816677980

Authors mentioned:
William Faulkner
László Krasznahorkai
Albert Camus
Jean-Paul Satre
William Golding
Jens Bjørneboe
HP Lovecraft
Edvard Munch
Franz Kafka
Ariana Harwicz
Mircea Cărtărescu

Articles/books mentioned and cited:
Lo Dagerman and Nancy Pick, The Writer and the Refugee (2019)

Also, I should note that I have both "A Burnt Child" and "A Moth to a Flame" in my little Dagerman stack -- these are the same book in two different translations. I found the latter at a used bookstore and picked it up just to have for the intro, but I didn't want someone else to see them and buy them without realizing they were the same book!

If you are planning on buying this book, consider buying from your local independent bookstore, however, if you are going to use Amazon, consider using my affiliate link to support me!

#stigdagerman #islandofthedoomed #bookreview

[Elizabeth-Reads]

I saw "Existential Mania" and heard your initial quote, and that's all it took. I'm in, even though this sounds exhausting! What a fascinating author. So interesting how being trapped in one's own head on a desert island must echo what he went through in that tiny cabin. What a desperate reflection on the aftermath of war (did he serve?) and the anxiety and depression he must've been feeling, and gosh, those passages you read were hauntingly beautiful. What incredible monuments he's created through his loneliness and desperation. 

I'll order this through Bookshop, unless you'd recommend another of his novels to start with? (Just checked and my library has Sleet, his stories, so I might start there.) Thanks for another intriguing review, Sean.

[BrandonsBookshelf]

You killed this review. Such wonderful descriptions and depictions!

[wildmanz]

I've never heard of this author but love Joyce and Kafka, so I will definitely read him! Thanks for these great reviews!

[kumarujjawal]

First time I'm hearing about this author but just the mention of Faulkner in the same sentence gets my spider senses tickling. Great analysis as always, looking forward to reading this one.

[hairylittlewombat]

Hi Sean, I'm a new subscriber and have been watching many of your past vids. You've given me so many great recommendations, including this one. Love your work. Thanks!

[charlesring]

Great book by a great author who the world to young. Must be one of the most productive authors of all time.

[akeeperofsheep]

I've been curious about this one since it appeared in your best of 2022 list. Very happy to see your excellent review! Will definitely check this one out. Also still looking forward to The Notebook Trilogy review!

[authorleetee]

I remember being blown away that he wrote The Snake so young (same Quattro Edition). Doomed, soon. Thanks for the great review, Sean.

[morbidswither]

What an incomparable review! Awesome, Sean!

[Paromita_M]

Beautiful review.
I started this book, then paused it for later because it required a certain state of focus. Looking forward to getting back to it later.

[theemptyatom]

I guess if everyone talked about every book people think is neglected and needs to be talked about, that would necessarily lead to other books being neglected and not talked about. 🙂

[Jolanciukas]

Never heard anything about this author. But i’m deffenetly going to read it in near future.