[1] The novel deals with a man, Jónas Ebeneser, who's in his late 40s, poor, abandoned by his wife, and suffering his midlife crisis.

In preparation for his imminent death, he empties his property of his personal effects; he later decides that it would be better to spare his daughter of finding his body, electing to abscond.

The demand for his help and the budding amities renew his sense of purpose, and while the town is reconstructed, he is simultaneously rehabilitated from his suicidal ideation and tendencies.

"[3] Library Journal, in a starred review, concluded that the novel is "soulful, lighthearted, and tender," proposing that "this charming and immersive work... is a great choice for book discussion groups.

The Kirkus review said that it's written in "surreal, almost Kafkaesque [style]... a surprising tale told in almost allegorical form"[3] and Laurie Hertzel of the Star Tribune echoed that the "prose, eloquently translated from the Icelandic by Brian FitzGibbon, is just flat enough to give this quiet novel the feel of a fable.

"[7] The Washington Independent Review of Books, though, noted that "brief snippets of random prose occasionally trip up the narrative... trite phrases litter the story.

"[9] Hertzel concludes, "the book rises above the obvious metaphor (handyman can fix everything but himself) and the clearly signaled ending, moving naturally and powerfully from despair to hope.