ThedebutnovelfromtheauthorofBloodLake,acollectionofshortstoriesthatwascriticallyacclaimedandlandedontheLosAngelesTimesbest-sellerlist.Anadventureintheabsurd,Icelandbeginswithournarrator,Paul,arrivingatamysterious“Institute“topickout-ondoctor’sorders-anewinternalorgan.TherehemeetsEmily,ayoung,bikini-cladwomanhiredtostimulatetheorganspreservedinanutrient-enhancedswimmingpool,andfallsinloveamidstaflurryofchlorineandkick-boards.InJimKrusoe’sworld,thisisaboutassimpleaslifegets.Paul’sbriefinterludewithEmilysetsthecourseforhisextraordinaryadventures,whichinvolveatroublesomestainonPaul’srug,avolcano,Paul’smarriageandchildren,sixyearsinapianobarwithagirlnamedCalypsoSally,andalongstretchintheStatePenitentiary.ButthroughoutitallPaulkeepsre-imaginingthatfirstafternoonbythepoolsidewithEmily,hisonetruelove.Icelandisanovelofmelancholichilaritythatraisesseriousquestionsalongthewayaboutthenatureofmemory,imagination,anddesire.
