This is what is known as a Scandanavian "collective" novel. There is no main character and no life-defining events. Instead, the novel relates the stories of a broad spectrum of the people of the Faroe Islands--fishermen and farmers, family feuds, religious divisions, marriages and deaths, the conflicts between the "old ways" and "new ways."

Heinesen had the philosophy that happy people are " a kind of luxury that nature allows itself from time to time." When he learned that he was being considered for the Nobel prize in literature, Heinesen withdrew his name from consideration, stating the fact that although he was a Faroe Islander, he wrote in Danish, not Faroese. Windswept Dawn is his most well-respected novel, and realistically documents a slice of life of those residing in these remote and little known islands.

I highly recommend this book. However, because of the huge number of characters moving in and out of the story I think it needs sustained reading for full enjoyment. ( )