Christmas Town and Meet Me in Hellisgerði  

Ása Marin writes a Christmas love story

„I wanted to write about a woman who was unexpectedly on her own at Christmas and didn't like the thought of sitting down to dinner on Christmas Eve by herself,“ says Ása Marin, author of the romantic comedy novel. Meet me in Hellisgerði.

The story is about Snjólaug who has created her own Christmas traditions with her daughter, but now finds herself alone after the girl's father invites her to Tenerife for Christmas. After binge-watching Netflix and seeing one lonely soul after another find love in Christmas films, she decides to get herself a Christmas crush.

A book in the style of Bridget Jones

The book is not Ás Marina's first novel but her fifth. In addition, she has written one novella and two poetry collections. She describes how the first draft was dramatic, even depressive.

„I quickly realised it wasn't suitable for the middle of winter and gave the story more of a Bridget Jones feel,“ says Ása, smiling.

„It's therefore a fun, light-hearted read. The undertone is loneliness and the fear of it, but that's not the main theme of the book,“ she says, but gives nothing away about whether the ending is a happy one after the protagonist's dating adventures. „That's for the reader to discover.“

A Hafnarfjörður resident like the protagonist

Ása Marin is, like the story's main character, from Hafnarfjörður. She has lived in Laufvangur, in Hvammar, Ásland and now back in Hvammar.

„And as the story is set during Advent, it is fitting that the Christmas Village frames the story,“ says Ása Marín, as Hellisgerði, the Christmas Village and Hjartasvellið feature in the story.

Will the book be made into a film? „That would be desirable. I can definitely see this story as a film or a TV series,“ says Ása Marin.

Ása Marin is a writer from Hafnarfjörður who uses her hometown in her latest novel, Meet Me in Hellisgerði. It is a romantic story set against the backdrop of the Christmas town. Photos/Óli Már

Hafnarfjörður Christmas Magazine 2024 – online edition:

The Christmas magazine is available at all our museums and swimming pools. Also at the customer service desk.