Examining how Sara Winokur’s novel incorporates Icelandic history, such as the 1627 Barbary raids
Sara Winokur’s Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessman Murders seamlessly blends the chilling world of modern-day crime with the eerie remnants of Iceland’s dark and tumultuous past. Set against the stunning, otherworldly landscape of Iceland, Ivory Bones delves deep into the country’s history, particularly its haunting connection to the 1627 Barbary pirate raids, also known as the “Turkish” raids. Through the lens of Brynja Pálsdóttir, a forensic geneticist, Winokur explores not only the complex world of modern forensic science but also the profound, lingering scars of Iceland’s past. This article explores how Ivory Bones captures Iceland’s dark history, weaving together ancient secrets and modern intrigue.
Iceland’s Dark Past: The Barbary Pirate Raids
Iceland’s history, while often marked by natural beauty and resilience, also carries the weight of a brutal and forgotten chapter—the Barbary pirate raids of 1627. Known as the “Turkish” raids by Icelanders, these assaults were carried out by pirates from the Barbary Coast of North Africa, primarily from Morocco and Algeria. They swept across the coastal villages of Iceland, abducting hundreds of Icelanders to be sold as slaves along the Barbary Coast.
The raids were swift and merciless, and they left a deep scar on Icelandic history. Villages were destroyed, families were torn apart, and many Icelanders were lost forever, either killed or enslaved. It is this tragic event that serves as the backbone of Ivory Bones, connecting the present-day murder mystery with a centuries-old tragedy.
In Ivory Bones, Winokur introduces the reader to a centuries-old diary, written by Anna Björnsdóttir, one of the women abducted during the raids. Anna’s story is filled with despair and resilience as she was taken from her home in Iceland and forced into slavery. The diary contains cryptic clues that connect the past with the present, particularly the mystery surrounding the Lewis Chessmen—ancient artifacts that were discovered centuries ago but whose true origins remain a mystery. Winokur’s novel expertly intertwines Anna’s historical account with Brynja’s modern-day investigation, creating a powerful connection between the ancient past and contemporary events.
The Legacy of the Lewis Chessmen
The Lewis Chessmen, a set of medieval chess pieces discovered on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, are among the most famous and mysterious archaeological finds in British history. While the chessmen’s exact origins remain a subject of debate, they are widely believed to have been crafted in Norway around the 12th century. Their discovery in the 19th century sparked intense fascination, but the chessmen’s subsequent disappearance—some pieces were later found in museums, while others remain lost—has only added to their allure.
In Ivory Bones, the Lewis Chessmen are integral to the mystery that unfolds. The ancient pieces are tied to the fate of Anna Björnsdóttir and the pirate raids. The chessmen’s journey from Scotland to Iceland, and their connection to the Barbary pirates, is shrouded in secrecy, and Brynja’s investigation seeks to uncover the truth. The search for the chessmen serves as a bridge between the past and the present, as Brynja delves into the dark history of Iceland and uncovers long-buried secrets that could change everything she thought she knew about her country’s past.
What makes Winokur’s use of the chessmen so compelling is the way they serve as a symbol of Iceland’s historical trauma. Just as the chessmen were lost and scattered, so too were the lives of the Icelanders during the pirate raids—disrupted and forever altered. The pieces represent not only the lost history of a nation but also the broader theme of cultural memory and the ways in which history, both personal and national, can be forgotten or obscured over time.
The Role of Brynja Pálsdóttir: A Modern Link to the Past
Brynja Pálsdóttir, the novel’s protagonist, serves as the perfect conduit between the ancient past and the present-day investigation. As a forensic geneticist, Brynja is tasked with solving the murder of a museum guard and uncovering the truth behind the mystery of the Lewis Chessmen. However, her own personal history—a tragic event from her childhood—also plays a crucial role in her ability to understand the layers of history that the case uncovers.
Brynja’s deep understanding of genetics allows her to analyze modern forensic evidence with precision, but her journey is also deeply personal. Her search for the truth about the present murder leads her to uncover deeper truths about her own family’s past, drawing parallels between her own experiences and those of Anna Björnsdóttir. Through Brynja’s eyes, readers are able to witness the unraveling of Iceland’s historical secrets and the emotional toll that these long-buried events continue to have on the country’s people.
Winokur does an exceptional job of depicting Brynja as a character caught between the world of science and the world of emotion. Her scientific expertise allows her to piece together the forensic evidence, but it is her emotional intelligence that allows her to understand the broader, more personal implications of the case. Brynja’s story serves as a powerful reminder that history is not just about dates and facts—it is about the people who lived it, and the emotional and psychological scars they carry with them.
How Ivory Bones Weaves History into the Mystery
One of the most striking aspects of Ivory Bones is Winokur’s ability to weave Iceland’s dark history into the fabric of the modern murder mystery. The novel doesn’t just rely on historical events as a backdrop; it makes them an integral part of the narrative. The murder investigation that Brynja undertakes is directly tied to the secrets of Iceland’s past, and the clues she uncovers reveal not just the truth about the chessmen but also the hidden traumas of a nation.
The ancient diary, Anna Björnsdóttir’s story, and the legend of the Lewis Chessmen all serve as key pieces of the puzzle that Brynja must solve. The historical context adds a layer of richness and complexity to the novel, making it much more than just a typical forensic mystery. It is a meditation on the ways in which the past shapes the present, and how the scars of history can never be fully erased.
Winokur’s ability to blend forensic science, historical intrigue, and modern-day murder makes Ivory Bones a captivating read. By exploring Iceland’s dark history through the lens of a murder investigation, the novel illuminates how the echoes of the past continue to affect the present and how uncovering one mystery can lead to the unraveling of many others.
Ivory Bones is a masterful combination of historical exploration and contemporary forensic investigation. Sara Winokur’s ability to capture Iceland’s dark history, from the Barbary pirate raids to the lost Lewis Chessmen, adds a rich layer of depth to the murder mystery at the heart of the story. Through Brynja’s investigation, Winokur reminds us that the past is never truly gone—it lives on in the memories, artifacts, and secrets that shape the present.
For more about Ivory Bones and to explore Sara Winokur’s other works, visit her website at www.sarawinokur.com.
