"The Old Man and His Sons" by Heðin Brú

★★★★☆

You wouldn't know it from the Faroe Islands' hyper-advanced tunnel network, first-rate social services, and high cost of living, but life here was no simple task around a century ago. In his nationally-acclaimed novella set in a Faroese village, Brú describes an archipelago of isolated communities linked by their seafaring ventures, familial connections, and hardscrabble way of life. His main characters — aging parents and their youngest son, an apathetic neighbor, ever-curious grandchildren — illuminate the radical differences between the modern-day Faroe Islands and the society that preceded their emergence.

Short, readable books like "The Old Man and His Sons" are a traveler's dream: they not only bring a trip to life, but are the perfect thing to turn to in a restaurant, café, or before bed. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Brú's most famous book before your adventure in the Faroes. An added bonus: I found that if a local notices your choice of literature, they're more likely than not to strike up a conversation. Beyond the Faroe Islands' windswept beauty and rugged nature lies a rich, fascinating culture. As Brú explains it, there is far more than meets the eye.