Secrets of the Sprakkar is the debut book from Iceland’s First Lady, Eliza Reid. With a February 8, 2022 release date, Secrets of the Sprakkar introduces readers to some of Iceland’s extraordinary women, past and present. It also discusses how they are working towards gender equality.
I want to thank Sourcebooks, Simon & Schuster Canada, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Secrets of the Sprakkar. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Synopsis from Goodreads
Iceland is the best place on earth to be a woman—but why?
For the past twelve years, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report has ranked Iceland number one on its list of countries closing the gap in equality between men and women. What is it about Iceland that enables its society to make meaningful progress in this ongoing battle, from electing the world’s first female president to passing legislation specifically designed to help even the playing field at work and home?
The answer is found in the country’s sprakkar, an ancient Icelandic word meaning extraordinary or outstanding women.
Eliza Reid, Canadian-born and raised and now the first lady of Iceland, examines her adopted homeland’s attitude toward women. From the deep-seated cultural sense of fairness, current and historical role models influence, crucially, the areas where Iceland still has room for improvement. Throughout, Reid interviews dozens of sprakkar to tell their inspirational stories and expertly weaves in her own experiences as an immigrant from small-town Canada. The result is an illuminating discussion of what moving through the world as a woman means. And how society’s rules play more of a role in who we view as equal than we may understand.
What makes many women’s experiences there so positive? And what can we learn about fairness to benefit our society?
My Opinion
SPRAKKAR (plural noun): (pronounced SPRAH-car) an ancient Icelandic word meaning extraordinary or outstanding women; sprakki (singular form)
This short work of nonfiction is a letter from Eliza Reid to her adoptive country. It is also a letter to the world explaining how Iceland has worked hard to achieve a gender balance and is working to ensure all people have an equal foothold in society.
In under 300 pages, Reid is able to point out that Iceland isn’t perfect, but at the same time farther ahead than many countries. She covers topics from parental leave to politics. From the arts to LGBTQIA+ rights. From employment to social groups. Along the way, she shares the stories of sprakkar, who have helped shape Iceland into the country it currently is.
A common thread throughout the book is that all women need to feel empowered and take up their space, to stand up proud. That doesn’t mean that women need to be Wonder Woman or a giant, just that women need to feel comfortable in their own space; they need to use their voice. No one loses anything with true gender equity, and everyone reaps the benefits!
Secrets of the Sprakkar is an eye-opening look at how one country is working hard towards gender equity. It encourages every reader to think of sprakkar in their lives and how they can be the sprakki in their own lives. For non-female readers, it encourages them to support the females in their lives to help them achieve their goals and to take up their space.
Looking for some more books to read? Check out my other book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.
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Wow Pam. What an interesting book. I want to read this one. I just went and requested it on NetGalley, but will purchase it once it is published if I don’t get it.
I hope you enjoy reading it. There were times I found myself laughing, and others where I was angry. But most of all, I found myself examining my life and how I am working to empower not only myself but my daughters.
This sounds like a really good look at the state of gender equality in Iceland (and by extension, the world). Thanks for sharing!