The Puffins are not your typical college football team. Playing for the University of Iceland, they represent a tiny country where dreams and illusions run wild. Their head coach is a woman, their athletic director is an unqualified misfit, one of their star players grew up in a cult, and another is living a double life. As the Puffins ascend through the ranks of American college football, sights set on winning a championship, an array of colliding secrets and internal divisions threatens to tear them apart. Entangled ...
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The Puffins are not your typical college football team. Playing for the University of Iceland, they represent a tiny country where dreams and illusions run wild. Their head coach is a woman, their athletic director is an unqualified misfit, one of their star players grew up in a cult, and another is living a double life. As the Puffins ascend through the ranks of American college football, sights set on winning a championship, an array of colliding secrets and internal divisions threatens to tear them apart. Entangled in their own ambitions and prejudices, the characters discover that the real drama occurs off the field, in the hidden rooms of Reykjavik, a city that has all of the attractions of an international capital, only on a diminutive scale. Set against a backdrop of mountains, corrugated iron, and gale-force winds, Year of the Puffin captures the passions and obsessions of both sports and life-the saga of American football in the land of fire and ice.
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Add this copy of Year of the Puffin to cart. $13.43, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2023 by Atmosphere Press.
Add this copy of Year of the Puffin to cart. $19.80, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2023 by Atmosphere Press.
Add this copy of Year of the Puffin to cart. $21.99, new condition, Sold by Russell Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Victoria, BC, CANADA, published 2023 by Atmosphere Press.
Add this copy of Year of the Puffin to cart. $32.00, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2023 by Atmosphere Press.
Add this copy of Year of the Puffin to cart. $40.28, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2023 by Atmosphere Press.
The Icelandic football team, known as The Puffins, plays with fervor as dynamic as a volcano, employing the wishbone offense that was a prevalent force in college football during the 70s and 80s. The question on everyone's lips is whether this strategy will propel them to victory. Could this be the triumphant year of the Puffin?
At the team's helm is the head coach Gwen, a striking figure who stands tall not just in stature but also with her vibrant personality and infectious smile. Though deeply attached to her father, their relationship has become somewhat estranged since she transitioned from Canada to Iceland.
Working alongside her is the team's athletic director, Tommie, whose fascination with a blue Testarossa seems as fabricated as the car itself. His obsession with Madeline, a Canadian woman, has consumed him for an astounding 15 years.
The Puffins are more than just a football team; they symbolize joy and excitement for the Icelanders. Among the players is Lambert, a 23-year-old who exudes a unique blend of timelessness and agelessness, thanks to his unconventional upbringing in a family community likened to a cult. His infatuation with the unseen Candace Clew adds a layer of complexity to his character.
Then, there's Dorian, who teeters between arrogance and self-absorption, caught in the profound and intimate journey of self-discovery related to his sexuality.
In the novel Year of the Puffin, these character arcs intertwine and unravel. The author, Gregory Phipps, skillfully crafts their stories, peeling back the layers of secrets, desires, sorrow, and deceit, all set against the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland and the thrilling world of football.
The narrative flows like a riveting football match, commencing at a gentle pace before steadily building momentum, gripping the reader until the very last sentence. Phipps's elegant and engaging prose breathes life into the characters, creating deep and meaningful connections with the readers. Themes range from the fiery intensity of passion to the steadfast bonds of friendship, the transformative essence of love, and even the darker corners of obsession.
Year of the Puffin isn't just a novel; it's an exploration into the multifaceted nature of human relationships wrapped up in the fervor of football. In the words of the Icelanders, it's "t�¶ff." Whether you are a sports enthusiast or an aficionado of beautifully penned characters and landscapes, this book is a must-read, reflecting the heart and soul of the human condition.
