Red Dog Farm

Miller (The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven) serves up a rich coming-of-age tale about the son of a farmer exploring his roots. In spring 2012, Orri cuts short his first year at university and comes home from Reykjavik to help his father, Pabbi, on the family farm in Bifröst, a settlement north of the city. According to Orri’s Mamma, a professor at the local university, Pabbi has been depressed, and Orri keeps an eye on him as they tend to the cattle and make hay. Orri also reconnects with his childhood classmate Rúna, who’s now a farmer. As Orri learns more about farming, he delays his return to Reykjavik, wondering if higher education is the right fit for him. Meanwhile, he sparks an online romance with Mihan, a student enrolled at a university a few hours away, and eventually visits her there. The novel reaches a crisis point as Pabbi talks of selling the farm and Mamma begins spending nights away from home, prompting Orri to worry that his parents are keeping secrets from him. Though the conclusion ties things up a bit too neatly, Miller’s earthy realism effectively conveys the toll farming takes, especially on Pabbi. The result is a charming novel of desire and identity in a small community. Agent: Esmond Harmsworth, Aevitas Creative Management. (Mar.)