Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was
Literary Fiction· Iceland

Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was

by Sjón
Aggregate Editorial Score31/100
Published 2013Icelandic
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was by Sjón is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 2013. Set in Reykjavik during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, this novel follows a young man named Máni Steinn. Sjón weaves a tale of survival and identity against the backdrop of a city in crisis, exploring themes of sexuality, illness, and transformation with his signature poetic style. Themes of identity, sexuality, illness run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorSjón
Published2013
Country of Origin🇮🇸 Iceland
LanguageIcelandic
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780374212115
Editorial Score31/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇮🇸 Iceland

This book is part of Iceland's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Iceland →

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
20150
✍️
About the Author
Sjón
Iceland
View Author →
The Happiness Blueprint
New Release by Peter Burchardt
The Happiness Blueprint
Your Evolutionary Guide to Joy, Purpose, and Lasting Well-Being
Happiness isn’t a destination — it’s a blueprint written in your DNA.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was about?

Set in Reykjavik during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, this novel follows a young man named Máni Steinn. Sjón weaves a tale of survival and identity against the backdrop of a city in crisis, exploring themes of sexuality, illness, and transformation with his signature poetic style.

Who wrote Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was?

Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was was written by Sjón, from Iceland. First published in 2013.

What awards has Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was won?

Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was worth reading?

Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 31/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in identity, sexuality, illness.

Where can I buy Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was?

You can buy Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was?

Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was from?

Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was originates from Iceland's literary tradition. Explore more books from Iceland on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇮🇸Books from Iceland🇮🇸 Iceland literature📅2010s BooksPublished in the 2010s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time