Off the coast of Norway lies a small, nameless island that you can barely see on the map. On the entire island there is only a lighthouse and a modest keeper’s house. Young Arne Bjørneb, nicknamed the Mute, chose such a life for himself, simple and secluded. Scarred, closed, he himself looks like this rocky island that did not want to be part of the mainland. But one day a boat from the “mainland” brings a girl here... Thus begins a two-century-long family saga, similar to “One Hundred Years of Solitude” with a Nordic flavor. The island leaves its mark on everyone in the Bjørnebü family - no matter whether they seek their destiny in big world or they like the hard work of a lighthouse keeper. In every generation there are those who are not afraid to be different from everyone else. Emil leaves his native island, taking with him only a shirt and a crust of bread. Sunniva writes a book that is ahead of its time. Arne and Vidar risk their lives to help the Norwegian Resistance Movement during the war. Ranhil becomes a famous artist throughout the country... But time passes - and will anyone need the old lighthouse in the twenty-first century? The extremely localized history of one family becomes a reflection of the history of the whole country, as in the novel “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” or in the books of John Steinbeck. This is both a parable and at the same time a tangible, living world, which is made up of bright details, be it a porcelain doll, a family portrait or a simple dessert, the recipe of which is passed down from generation to generation. And the atmospheric and poetic narrative is captivating, like an auteur movie. Italian writer Guido Zgardoli (born 1965) is the author of dozens of books for adults and children and the winner of numerous awards. The novel “Mute Island” received the Andersen Prize in the category “Best book for readers over 15 years old” and was included by the Munich International Children's Library in the list of outstanding children's books in the world “White Crows”.