Uploaded May 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
CoDex 1962 is a majestic, breathtaking novel by Sjón, one of Iceland's greatest writers. Twenty-five years in the making, spanning eras, continents and genres, this is Sjón's masterpiece.
Order your copy: amzn.to/2rRis1X
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Jósef Loewe can recall the moment of his birth in August, 1962 and everything that has happened since - or so he claims to the woman listening to the tale of his life . . .
*A love story*
He begins with his father, Leo, a starving Jewish fugitive in World War II Germany. In a small-town guesthouse, Leo discovers a kindred spirit in the maid who nurses him back to health; together they shape a piece of clay into a baby.
*A crime story*
Leo escapes to Iceland with the clay boy inside a hatbox, only to become embroiled in a murder mystery. It is not until 1962 that his son Jósef can be born.
*A science-fiction story*
In modern-day Reykjavík, a middle-aged Jósef attracts the interest of a rapacious geneticist. Now, what lies behind Jósef’s tale emerges. And as the story of genesis comes full circle, we glimpse the dangerous path ahead for humankind.
In this epic novel, Sjón has woven ancient and modern material into a singular masterpiece – encompassing genre fiction, history, theology, folklore, expressionist film, poetry, comic strips, myth, drama and, of course, the rich tradition of Icelandic storytelling.
‘Sure to delight the reader . . . irresistibly sweeps the reader away . . . a masterpiece, meticulously executed from the first page to the last’ - Sigridur Albertsdottir, National Broadcasting Service, Iceland
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Sceptre Books is an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton, a major publisher within Hachette UK, one of the UK’s biggest publishing groups. We publish a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books. Subscribe to our channel to discover more inspiring videos of our award-winning books and authors: bit.ly/ZxCFcv
Visit our website at bit.ly/ZxBY2Z
Follow us on Instagram at bit.ly/2InH90J
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CoDex 1962 is a majestic, breathtaking novel by Sjón, one of Iceland's greatest writers. Twenty-five years in the making, spanning eras, continents and genres, this is Sjón's masterpiece.
Order your copy: amzn.to/2rRis1X
---
Jósef Loewe can recall the moment of his birth in August, 1962 and everything that has happened since - or so he claims to the woman listening to the tale of his life . . .
*A love story*
He begins with his father, Leo, a starving Jewish fugitive in World War II Germany. In a small-town guesthouse, Leo discovers a kindred spirit in the maid who nurses him back to health; together they shape a piece of clay into a baby.
*A crime story*
Leo escapes to Iceland with the clay boy inside a hatbox, only to become embroiled in a murder mystery. It is not until 1962 that his son Jósef can be born.
*A science-fiction story*
In modern-day Reykjavík, a middle-aged Jósef attracts the interest of a rapacious geneticist. Now, what lies behind Jósef’s tale emerges. And as the story of genesis comes full circle, we glimpse the dangerous path ahead for humankind.
In this epic novel, Sjón has woven ancient and modern material into a singular masterpiece – encompassing genre fiction, history, theology, folklore, expressionist film, poetry, comic strips, myth, drama and, of course, the rich tradition of Icelandic storytelling.
‘Sure to delight the reader . . . irresistibly sweeps the reader away . . . a masterpiece, meticulously executed from the first page to the last’ - Sigridur Albertsdottir, National Broadcasting Service, Iceland
---
Sceptre Books is an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton, a major publisher within Hachette UK, one of the UK’s biggest publishing groups. We publish a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books. Subscribe to our channel to discover more inspiring videos of our award-winning books and authors: bit.ly/ZxCFcv
Visit our website at bit.ly/ZxBY2Z
Follow us on Instagram at bit.ly/2InH90J
Follow us on Twitter at bit.ly/1zf2yym
Find us on Facebook at on.fb.me/1rHy6CQ
