Magma

Written by Thora Hjörleifsdóttir

Narrated by Genevieve Gaunt

‘A compulsive and propulsive debut’ - Lily King

‘A luminous and poetic novel . . . [Hjörleifsdóttir] has created a whole new landscape for storytelling’ - John Freeman

Twenty-year-old Lilja is in love.

He is older and beautiful, a Derrida-quoting intellectual.

He is also a serial cheater, gaslighter and narcissist.

Lilja will do anything to hold on to him.

And so she accepts his deceptions and endures his sexual desires. She rationalizes his toxic behaviour and permits him to cross all her boundaries. In her desperation to be the perfect lover, she finds herself unable to break free from the toxic cycle. And then an unexpected ultimatum: an all-consuming love, or the promise of a life reclaimed.

Thora Hjörleifsdóttir explores the darkest corners of relationships, exposing the undercurrents of violence that often go undetected. In an era of growing pornification, she deftly illustrates the failings of our culture to recognize symptoms of cruelty. In visceral, poetic prose, translated from Icelandic by Meg Matich, Magma depicts the unspooling of a tender-hearted young woman aching to love and be loved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Jul 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781529045574

Thora Hjörleifsdóttir

Thora Hjörleifsdóttir has published three poetry collections with her poetry collective, Imposter Poets. She lives in Reykjavík. Magma is her first novel.

Reviews for Magma

[my love affair with sadness · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I dont know what to say! Too real too sad i know so many girls like her its all about Self esteem ! Beautifuly writen ! I like the diary part gives more depth the the main girl and says that anyone could have a similar toxic relationship like this !