Summary

Chapter 10 – At Fridrikson’s home, Otto confesses he is unhappy to have seen so few books in the library. Fridrikson explains that Iceland has more than eight thousand books and texts, most of which are currently being borrowed by Icelanders, nearly all of whom not only can read, but love to study things in depth. The Icelanders freely exchange the books among each other, rather than let them grow dusty in a library where no one can get to them. The first priority of Icelanders, Fridrikson says, is education. Otto asks if there are any writings by Saknussemm among the ancient books, and Fridrikson reveals that none of his works are to be found in Iceland, for Saknussemm was persecuted for heresy, and all his works inside Iceland were burned in 1573. Without thinking, Otto says it now makes sense why Saknussemm would conceal a...