Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name, by Vendela Vida

Vendela Vida. Who? Vida Blue? From the A's? No. Yes he was. Vendela. Isn’t she that model? No. She’s married to Rick Ocasek. No she’s not. Vendela Vida. Who’s that? Oh. Mrs. Dave Eggers? Vendela Vida?! Ohh, her! Oh yeah, I know her work.

All kidding aside: Vendela Vida's new novel Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name is quite simply stunning.

Clarissa’s mother disappeared when she was fourteen. Her father dies fourteen years later. In going through her father’s things Clarissa finds her birth certificate and everything she thought she knew changes. She travels to Lapland in search of a priest who might have the answers. She discovers more than she expected.

In succinct and beautiful prose Vendela Vida tells the story of a woman’s search about her past and her true identity. It is funny, compassionate, and considerate.
The details and descriptions about the Sami and their land are fascinating. The unfolding mystery of Clarissa's and her family's past is truely compelling.

Mrs. Dave Eggers? Well, yes, but with Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name Vendela Vida has surely made a name for herself.