Icelandic Literature Center books from Iceland 2019 Icelandic Literature Center 04–10 Fiction 11–15 Children & YA 16 –17 Poetry 18–23 Rights sold 24–27 Debutants 28–31 Crime fiction 32–35 Non-fiction 36–37 Icelandic nominations for the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2019 38–39 Icelandic Literature Prizes

2 Content ALBANIA FINLAND NORWAY Albanía Finnland NOREGUR Dear reader ARGENTINA FRANCE POLAND Argentína FRAKKLAND Pólland ARMENIA GEORGIA PORTUGAL Armenía Georgía Portúgal AUSTRIA GERMANY ROMANIA Austurríki ÞÝSKALAND Rúmenía AZERBAIJAN GREECE RUSSIA Aserbaídsjan Grikkland Rússland Last year was an extremely fruitful year in Icelandic literature and the selection of novels, short stories and BRAZIL HUNGARY SERBIA poetry books has rarely been as diverse and of such Brasilía Ungverjaland Serbía high quality. Many of Iceland’s most renowned writers BULGARIA INDIA SLOVAKIA published books this year, but young and interesting Búlgaría Indland Slóvakía writers also made their debut, attracting considerable interest. As always, writers seek inspiration in the present CANADA IRAQ SLOVENIA and the tragicomical problems of mundane life are seldom Kanada Írak Slovenía far away. The past, however, seems to be at the forefront CHINA ISRAEL SOUTH KOREA of writers’ minds because historic fiction has rarely been Kína Ísrael Suður-Kórea so popular. Among other topics, we see big issues, such COLUMBIA ITALY SPAIN as the self-image of a nation and efforts to silence matters Kólumbía ÍTALÍA Spánn of grave importance, but first and foremost we see stories about people in different times and various circumstances. CROATIA JAPAN SWEDEN Man’s constant struggle with existence is not limited to Króatía Japan SVÍÞJÓÐ time and space, so these tales are just as relevant to CZECH LATVIA TAIWAN readers now as ever. Lettland Taívan REPUBLIC Please enjoy! Tékkland LEBANON TURKEY DENMARK Líbanon Tyrkland Hrefna Haraldsdóttir DANMÖRK LITHUANIA UKRAINE Director of the Icelandic Literature Center EGYPT Litháen Úkraína Egyptaland MACEDONIA UNITED ARAB ESTONIA MAKEDÓNÍA EMIRATES Eistland MEXICO Sameinuðu arabísku furstadæmin ETHIOPIA Mexíkó UNITED Eþíópía THE KINGDOM FAROE NETHER- BRETLAND ISLANDS LANDS UNITED STATES Færeyjar Holland Bandaríkin

Icelandic literary works are travelling further and wider than ever before and the languages they are being Please sign up to receive translated into currently amount to around fifty. our newsletter on islit.is. Novel Novel 461 pp 240 pp Hallgrímur Helgason Forlagið | JPV 2019 Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Benedikt | 2018 English sample translation English sample translation Sixty Kilos of Sunshine available Miss Iceland Ungfrú Ísland available

rightsholder rightsholder Sextíu kíló af sólskini Andrew Nurnberg Associates Éditions Zulma [email protected] Amélie Louat [email protected] sold to Germany (Klett-Cotta), Lithuania sold to (Alma Littera) Denmark (Batzer & co), Norway (Pax), Sweden (Weyler förlag), UK (Pushkin Press), USA (Grove Atlantic) The story takes place in Segulfjörður, an In 1963 the farmer’s daughter Hekla imaginary fishing village around 1900. As a child, Gottskálksdóttir travels to Reykjavík determined Gestur Eilífsson survives an avalanche as if by to become a poet, which is easier said than done miracle. The opportunities that a poor and when writing is reserved for men only. Hekla stagnant farming community offers are few and meets a man who becomes her boyfriend, the poet far between. But then comes the herring and and bohemian Starkaður, who is too blinded by following it, the Norwegians. The proletarians get his own genius and that of his mates to see her their hands-on money for the first time and talent. Hekla works in Hotel Borg and writes in everything changes. secret and confides in no-one except her closest Hallgrímur Helgason seeks inspiration in foreign sales of previous titles friends, the housewife Ísey and the homosexual “The Great American Novel” and looks to authors Albania (Ombra GVG), Croatia sailor Jón John, who both have had their share of (Meandar Media), Czech such as Halldór Laxness to tell the tale of how Republic (Albatros), Denmark misunderstanding and prejudice. modern times came to Iceland. Alongside he (Lindhardt & Ringhof/Rosinante), Armed with colourful characters, Auður offers a sharp analysis of the Icelandic national Finland (Otava), France (Actes Ava has written a multi-layered novel about poetry, foreign sales of previous titles Sud/Presses de la Cite), Albania (Ombra GVG), Arabic character, wrapped in sparkling word magic in a Germany (Klett-Cotta), Hungary women’s oppression and the absurdity of toxic language (Dar al Adab), Sharp analysis book that some say is his best work yet. (Scolar Kiado), Italy (Longanesi/ A multi layered ideals of masculinity that stifle creativity and the Brazil (Alfaguara), Bulgaria Mondadori/Guanda), Korea quest for beauty. Even though the circumstances (Colibri, Culture), China (Xiron of the Icelandic (DulNyouk), Latvia (Valters un novel armed Books), Croatia (Ljevak), Czech Rapa), Lithuania (Almara Littera), in the book are grim, the text is rich with empathy Republic (Albatros Media), national character, The Netherlands (Meulenhoff with colourful and subtle humour. Denmark (Batzer & co), English Boekerij/De Arbeidesrspers), worldrights (Amazon Crossing), wrapped in Norway (Cappelen Damm), characters Estonia (Eesti Raamat), France Macedonia (Antolog), Poland (Zulma), Italy (Einaudi), Israel sparkling word (Słowo/obraz terytoria/Swiat (Tamir Sendik), Germany magic Literacki/Znak), Romania (Suhrkamp/Insel), Hungary (Art Grup Editorial/Universal (Polar), Latvia (Janis Roze), Dalsi), Russia (Azbooka/Corpus Lithuania (Lithuanian Writers’ Books), Serbia (Dereta DOO), Union Publishers), Macedonia Spain (Catalan: Edicions 62), (Antolog Books), Netherlands (World Spanish: RBA), (Galician: (De Bezige Bij), Norway (Pax), Rinoceronte Editora), Sweden Poland (Poznańskie), Portugal (Norstedts), UK (Amazon (Quetzal/Marcador), Romania Crossing/Faber & Faber/ (Pandora), Slovaquia (Slovart), Hallgrímur Helgason (b. 1959) is an Icelandic Oneworld), US (Algonquin/ Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir (b. 1958) addresses all the South Korea (Hangilsa/Jae painter, novelist, translator, and columnist. His Amazon Crossing/Simon & most important questions we, as human beings, Seung), Spain (Alfaguara), Schuster) Sweden (Weyler förlag), Taiwan first novel was published in 1990 and he came to must ask ourselves, questions about life, death (Aquarius), Turkey (Nebula/ international fame with his third novel, 101 among awards & nominations and love itself, the most important thing of all. Pinhan), UK (Pushkin Press), USA Reykjavik, which was translated into fourteen • 2018 & 2001 Awarded the Auður Ava has written novels, plays and (Grove Atlantic) languages and made into a film. A father of four, Icelandic Literary Prize poetry and has received various awards for her • 2017 RÚV Writer’s Fund Awards among awards he divides his time between Reykjavík and the • 2017 Awarded the Icelandic works such as the Nordic Council Literature Prize • 2018 Nordic Council island of Hrísey. Hallgrímur is a two-time winner Translators’ Prize and the Icelandic Literature Prize for the novel Literature Prize of the Icelandic Literary Prize for The Author of • 2015, 2011 & 2005 Nominated Hotel Silence (Ör, 2016) and was nominated for • 2016 Icelandic Literary Prize for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2016 Icelandic Booksellers Prize Iceland in 2001 and Sixty Kilos of Sunshine in • 2013, 2007 & 1999 Nominated the Icelandic Literary Prize for Miss Iceland. • 2011 Prix des libraires du Québec 2018. for the Nordic Council Literature • 2010 Prix de Page Prize • 2008 DV Cultural Prize • 2004 Selected Reykjavík • 2008 Icelandic Women’s City Artist Literature Prize • 2000 Awarded the DV • 2004 Tómas Guðmundsson Cultural Prize Literature Prize

4 Books from Iceland 2019 5 Fiction Einar Kárason Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir Storm Birds Stormfuglar Love Texas Ástin Texas

Based on a true story of the incredible battle Novel Guðrún Eva has been one of Iceland’s most Short story collection 125 pp 208 pp between the crew of an Icelandic trawler with 2018 popular novelists for years, but here she treads a Bjartur | 2018 a raging storm by Newfoundland around the new path with an exceptionally strong collection middle of the 20th century. The storm raged for English sample translation of short stories. The stories are connected to a English sample available translation available about four days and the trawler quickly ices up in certain extent, they are all told in the first person, the biting frost and violent tempest. The sailors rightsholder from the point of view of women and sometimes rightsholder needed to beat the ice off its sides to prevent the Forlagið | Mál & menning the same characters pop up in more than one The Parisian Agency The Forlagid Rights Agency Alexandra Lefebvre ship from sinking from the excess weight. It is Valgerður Benediktsdóttir story. The characterisation as a whole is alexandra@theparisianagency. a battle of life and death. [email protected] exceptionally powerful so that the reader becomes com Kárason’s text is sharp and vivid so www.forlagid.is fond of the characters and has a hard time parting that the cold and danger aboard the ship become with them. almost tangible. Even though the story only The style is low key and the focus is on describes one incident, the feeling for the terror everyday life with all its ups and downs, hopes of the sea is very strong in the book and seldom and disappointments, joy and sadness but yet the has an Icelandic writer managed to describe narrative mode is stoic and free of drama. The such events in such a memorable fashion. Exceptionally stories all seem effortless on the surface, but have A dramatic story a subtle effect that leaves no reader untouched. about the desperate strong collection struggle of a of short stories group of Icelandic fishermen against the ruthless forces of nature

foreign sales of previous titles Denmark (Art People), Finland sold to (Atena), France, Switzerland, Einar Kárason (b. 1955) is a novelist and one of the World English (MacLehose Press), Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir (b. 1976) has earned Luxembourg, Canada (Autrement/ most popular authors and screenwriters of his Brazil (Intrínseca), China (China herself a place among Iceland’s most talented Tusitala), Germany, Austria, Booky), Czech Republic (Alba- Switzerland (Random House|btb), generation; best known for his Devils’ Isle trilogy. tros), Egypt (Al Arabi), France writers. Her work is fresh, original and exciting, India (Megha Books), Italy His novel Fury (Ofsi, 2009) was nominated for the (Grasset), Germany (Random- with a well-ordered structure and a flawless (Scritturapura), UK, Australia, Nordic Council Literature Prize and awarded the House/btb), Hungary (Magvetö), narrative mode. In her unique way, Guðrún Eva New Zealand, South-Africa, USA, Italy (Einaudi Editore), Poland Philippines (Portobello) Icelandic Literary Prize. His latest novel Storm (Jagiellonian University Press), captures human emotion at the breaking point. Birds has already been sold in several countries. Sweden (Thorén & Lindskog AB) She has published a number of novels and short awards & nominations stories, which have been translated worldwide. • 2019 Awarded the Icelandic awards & nominations Guðrún Eva was awarded the Icelandic Literary Women’s Literature Prize • 2008 Awarded the Icelandic • 2016, 2008 & 2000 Nomination Literary Prize Prize in 2011 for Everything With a Kiss Awakens for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2010 & 2005 Nominated for the (Allt með kossi vekur, 2011). 2016 Nomination for the DV Nordic Council Literature Prize Cultural Prize • 2003 Nominated for the • 2014 & 2006 Awarded the DV Icelandic Literary Prize Cultural Prize • 2003 The DV Newspaper’s • 2011 Awarded the Icelandic Cultural Prize Literary Prize

6 Books from Iceland 2019 7 Fiction Bergsveinn Birgisson Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir Vitality Brook Lifandilífslækur The Holy Word Hið heilaga orð

It’s late in the 17th century and the Icelandic Novel A young woman Edda, disappears from her home Novel 230 pp 271 pp people are struggling after the biggest volcanic Bjartur | 2018 in Reykjavík, leaving behind her husband and Benedikt | 2018 eruptions in the world in a thousand years. An three-day-old child. The police track her to New envoy is dispatched from Denmark to Iceland English sample translation York, where she vanishes into the crowd. Her English sample translation available available in the middle of this desolate period to evaluate brother Einar goes to look for her and needs to the situation which could lead to all Icelanders rightsholder face the past where the key to finding Edda is kept. rightsholder being migrated to Denmark. He goes to Strandir, Immaterial Agents An exciting sequence of events are set Copenhagen Literary Agency Trude Kolaas Sophia Hersi Smith one of the most secluded areas in the isolated [email protected] in motion where the author weaves together [email protected] north west of the country, inspired by the spirit several threads from the past, present and future. www.cphla.dk of the Enlightenment, but as his stay in Iceland Gradually it becomes clear that Einar’s quest is drags on, his worldview is shaken to the core. not only about the past, but also is linked to big Bergsveinn Birgisson is renowned as the questions regarding the status of the written word most original storyteller and stylist in Iceland and and reading in modern times. he demonstrates his skill in this historic novel sold to The most original where the boundaries between reality and Germany (Residenz Verlag), storyteller and imagination are blurred. He pulls the readers Norway (Vigmostad & Bjørke) A novel about back to the 17th century by using the language of stylist in Iceland foreign sales of previous titles the power of the the time and surprises them with a powerful twist Brazil (Globo), Czech Republic towards the end. (Albatros Media), Egypt (Al Arabi written word in Publishing), Estonia (Varrak), Finland (Bazar), France (Zulma/ an online world Actes Sud), Denmark (C&K Forlag/Gyldendal), Germany (Steidl/Residenz Verlag), Hungary (Lira), Italy (Iperborea/ Bompiani), Netherlands (Ad. Donker), Norway (Pelikanen), Sweden (Bazar), Spain (Alfaguara), Turkey (Palto), US/UK (Amazon Crossing), Columbia/Argentina (Poklonka) Bergsveinn Birgisson (b. 1971) holds a doctorate in Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir (b. 1974) studied sold to awards & nominations France (Gaia) Norse philology and has an extensive background • 2018, 2016, 2010 & 2003 history in Salamanca, Spain, journalism at in folklore, oral histories and lyrical poetry. A true Nominated for the Icelandic Columbia University in New York, and previously foreign sales of previous titles Literary Prize researcher at heart, Birgisson has spent his life worked in Copenhagen before moving back to Czech Republic (Dobrovsky), • 2016 Awarded Prix Amphi France (Gaia), Germany studying language and how it represents the truth • 2016 Nominated for the DV Reykjavík. Her bestselling debut Island (Eyland, (Suhrkamp), Hungary (Cher), of the human condition. He currently resides in Cultural Prize 2016) was nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Norway ( Cappelen Damm), • 2015 Longlisted for Dublin Poland (Wydawnictwo Literackie) Bergen, Norway, where he continues to write Literary Award Literature Prize in 2017. When she isn’t writing, classical tales. Birgisson’s work has been widely • 2014 Awarded Prix des lecteurs Sigríður works as the deputy head of news and a awards & nominations recognized through prestigious awards and Nantais television news anchor at the Icelandic National 2014 Prix du Cercle de l’Union • 2017 The Icelandic Women’s nominations. Paramount Television and Interalliée Broadcasting Service. Literature Prize Anonymous Content have acquired the rights • 2013 Nominated for Brage • 2016 DV Cultural Prize for Literature to his novel The Black Viking to adapt as a award, Norway • 2012 Nominated for the Nordic television series. Council’s Literature Prize • 2010 Awarded the Icelandic Bookseller’s Award

08 Books from Iceland 2019 09 Fiction Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl Arnar Már Arngrímsson Hans Blaer Hans Blær The Saga of Sölvi, son of Daniel Sölvasaga Daníelssonar

Hans Blær is an unadulterated and intolerable Novel Sölvi is nineteen years old, works in a supermarket Novel | YA 335 pp 264 pp transsexual internet troll, who thrives on breaking 2018 and harbours a poet inside, even though the battle Sögur | 2018 all boundaries and shocking people on social with words is not always fruitful. Sölvi has had a media. At the beginning of the story they are English sample translation hard time finding his place in everyday life so he English sample translation available available running away from the police after being caught moves to Akureyri to study in a newly founded using dubious experimental methods in an rightsholder school there. In Akureyri, a small town in North rightsholder asylum for rape victims. In retrospect we get to Forlagið | Mál & menning Iceland, new challenges emerge entwined with the Winje Agency The Forlagid Rights Agency Gina Winje know Hans Blaer in childhood and find out how Valgerður Benediktsdóttir old, as he tries to keep his footing in life and gain [email protected] they became what they are. [email protected] confidence as a poet. https://winjeagency.com/ Hans Blaer is a disturbing and complex www.forlagid.is Speculation on poetry and playing with book. The unpredictable Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl words are a big part of Sölvi’s story and the author paints a harsh picture of a society riddled with manages exceptionally well to paint a vivid picture sterile gender images, political correctness and of the influence of a generation gap on language. the hysterics of social media. The narrative style is In a way the story is a bildungsroman, but it also original, a first-person account from an unreliable raises questions about the challenges facing young and multi-layered third person narrator who A vivid picture people in modern society. A harsh picture of defies the readers relentlessly. of the influence a society riddled of a generation with sterile gender gap on language images, political correctness and the hysterics of social media foreign sales of previous titles • Croatia (Naklada OceanMore), Denmark (Ordenes By), France/ Switzerland/Luxembourg (Métailié), Germany/ Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl (b. 1978) was awarded Switzerland/Austria (Klett- Arnar Már Arngrímsson (b. 1970) studied Icelandic foreign sales of previous titles the Icelandic Literary Prize and the Icelandic Cotta), Greece (Polis), Spain literature at the University of Iceland and later The Faroese Islands (Hoja de Lata), Sweden (Rámus (Bókadeildin), France (Editions Bookseller Prize for his novel Evil, as well as förlag), USA/UK/ANZ (Dalkey German literature at the University of Cologne. For Thierry Magnier), Russia being nominated for the Nordic Council Archive) the past 12 years Arnar Már has taught Icelandic (Samokat) Literature Prize. When Evil (Illska, 2012) came language and literature in his hometown Akureyri. awards & nominations out in France in 2015, it was shortlisted for the awards & nominations His debut novel The Saga of Sölvi the Young • 2012 Awarded the Icelandic • 2018 & 2015 Nomination for Prix Médicis Étranger, the Prix Meilleur Livre Literary Prize (Sölvasaga unglings, 2015) won the Nordic Council the Icelandic Literary Prize Étranger and received the Transfuge award for • 2012 Awarded the Icelandic Children and Young People’s Literature Prize in • 2016 Awarded the Nordic Council Children and Young best Nordic fiction. Bookseller Prize 2016. The sequel, The Saga of Sölvi, son of Daniel • 2014 Nominated for the Nordic People’s Literature Prize Council Literature Prize was nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize. • 2015 Prix Transfuge du meilleur roman Scandinave • 2015 Nominated for the Prix du meilleur roman étranger • 2015 Nominated for the Prix Médicis étranger

10 Fiction 11 Children & YA Sigrún Eldjárn Hjörleifur Hjartarson Silver Key Silfurlykillinn Rán Flygenring The Story of Dungal Sharp and His Theories About the Nature of the Universe Sagan um Skarphéðin Dungal sem setti fram nýjar kenningar um eðli alheimsins What happens if modern technology suddenly Children | Illustrated 220 pp disappears and how would people cope without 2018 electricity and computer technology? A terrible turn of events has led to all technology English sample translation Dungal Sharp is a housfly who lives in the city Children | Family | Illustrated available 72 pp disappearing and the competition over food and of flies, but unlike most of the other flies in the 2018 shelter is tough. The story can be called a rightsholder city he is fearless and undertakes a journey to see dystopian fairy tale where the reader follows Forlagið | Mál & menning the world. He soon discovers how huge it is and rightsholder The Forlagid Rights Agency Angústúra siblings and their father on the search for a better Valgerður Benediktsdóttir how small his city of flies is by comparison. María Rán Guðjónsdóttir life and for the mother who vanished without a [email protected] Philosophical questions arise as the reader [email protected] trace. They get assistance from a strange girl and www.forlagid.is follows Dungal Sharp on his journey about the www.angustura.is her books become a key factor in the search. world view of a fly and the prejudice that come Sigrún Eldjárn is among Iceland’s most from narrow minded ignorance of other worlds beloved authors and illustrators of books for than the one closest to you. children and her works have a special place in the This book is one of a kind and projected A thrilling story minds and hearts of generations of Icelanders. For in a unique collaboration of the drawings this book Sigrún Eldjárn was awarded the Hjörleifur Hjartarson of Rán Flygenring and the poetry of Hjörleifur about resourceful Rán Flygenring siblings and a Icelandic Literary Prize for 2018. Hjartarson. journey into the This book is unknown one of a kind and a unique collaboration

foreign sales of previous titles Hungary (People Team Millenium) Sigrún Eldjárn (b. 1954) has written and illustrated Rán Flygenring (b. 1987) is an illustrator and awards & nominations high on forty children’s books. She was the first awards & nominations innovator. Her work includes projects of every • 2018 Awarded the Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize author to receive the IBBY Iceland Prize • 2018 Awarded the Icelandic kind, such as drawings for books and magazines, Literary Prize • 2018 Awarded FÍT, the Icelandic Sogusteinn for her literary career in 2007, having • 2014 & 2013 Nominated for graffiti, stamp making and graphic work for Designers Award received up to that point several awards and the Icelandic Literary Prize weddings, conferences and everything in • 2018 & 2017 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize recognition for her work, among others the • 2014 Nominated for the between. Icelandic Women’s Literature • 2018 & 2017 Awarded the Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize three times Prize Icelandic Bookseller’s Prize and nominations to the H.C. Andersen Award and • 2006 Nominated for the West- Hjörleifur Hjartarson (b. 1960) is a qualified the Nordic Children’s Literature Prize for her Nordic Literary Award teacher who has also made his mark as a writer, • 2004 Nominated for the Nordic translator and musician. He has written texts for writings for children. Children’s Literature Prize • 2004 Nominated for the Nordic museums and theatre shows. Children’s Literature Prize • 2007 The Sogusteinn Children’s Book Award • 1998 Nomination for the H.C. Andersen Award

12 Books from Iceland 2019 13 Children & YA Ragnheiður Eyjólfsdóttir Hildur Knútsdóttir The Rats Rotturnar The Lion Ljónið

Four teenagers end up in a summer job rebuilding YA | Science fiction Sixteen-year-old Kría just moved from Akureyri to YA | Fiction 273 pp 410 pp a rusty cabin in the Icelandic highlands where 2018 Reykjavík and is starting high school. She leaves 2018 there is no phone connection. Members of the behind bad experiences of bullying that she group are one by one subject to a strange illness English sample translation doesn’t want anyone to know about. In school she English sample translation available available that some think might be the black death, a blends in well with the group and makes friends plague that killed one third of the nation in rightsholder with Elísabet and the mysterious Davíð. When the 15th century. The teenagers are taken to a Forlagið | Vaka-Helgafell everything seems to be going upwards Elísabet rightsholder The Forlagid Rights Agency Forlagið | JPV mysterious laboratory where their every move Valgerður Benediktsdóttir finds an old box in an old cupboard. The friends The Forlagid Rights Agency is monitored, their personal information is used [email protected] start investigating the mysterious disappearance Valgerður Benediktsdóttir against them and they have no way of knowing www.forlagid.is of a girl 79 years previously that could possibly be [email protected] www.forlagid.is who can be trusted. Gradually it emerges that linked with Kría’s life in unexpected ways. them being there is no coincidence. The Lion is the first book in a new trilogy The Rats is a suspenseful science fiction by Hildur Knútsdóttir where mysteries prevail novel for young – and also older – readers, and tensions are high. But it is also a realistic and reminiscent of The Hunger Games. Despite this honest tale of friendship, love, trust and betrayal being science fiction, the content is uncomfortably and other stepping stones on the rocky road to A suspenseful close to our modern society and its constant An exciting story adulthood. science fiction surveillance. where mysteries novel for young prevail and readers tensions are high

Ragnheiður Eyjólfsdóttir (b. 1984) is an architect awards & nominations Hildur Knútsdóttir (b. 1984) has garnered awards & nominations by profession. The Rats is her third book. Her • 2018 Nominated for the Icelandic widespread attention with her books Winter Dark • 2018 & 2015 Nominated for Literary Prize the Icelandic Literary Prize first, The Heir, received the Icelandic Children’s • 2018 Awarded the Booksellers’ (Vetrarfrí, 2015) and Winter Frost (Vetrarhörkur, • 2018 & 2016 the Icelandic Literature Award in 2015 as well as the Booksellers’ Prize in the YA literature category 2016), which have been translated into several Bookseller’s Prize Prize in the young adult literature category, and • 2017 The Reykjavik Children’s languages and are being turned into a television • 2018 IBBY Honour List Literature Prize • 2017 & 2016 Nominated the sequel, The Underworld, received the • 2015 Awarded the Icelandic series. Both books have received several awards for the Reykjavik Children’s Reykjavik Children’s Book Award in 2017. Children’s Literature Prize and nominations. Literature Prize • 2016 Awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2016 Awarded the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize

14 Books from Iceland 2019 15 Children & YA Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Gerður Kristný Poems of the road Að ljóði munt þú verða Requiem Sálumessa

Poems of the road is Steinunn Sigurðardóttir’s Poetry In 2003, Gerður Kristný, then editor-in-chief Poetry 71 pp 87 pp tenth poetry book. The author’s view of both Bjartur | 2018 of an Icelandic magazine called Mannlíf, 2018 nature and love give her a unique voice among published an article written by a woman who Icelandic poets: in this book the sun and hope rightsholder had been brutally sexually abused by her brother English sample translation Immaterial Agents available travel together, although darkness and grief Trude Kolaas Ciarletta and later developed an addiction to drugs. The linger underneath. The poems in the book are [email protected] woman committed suicide around the time rightsholder tremendously diverse, from a simple everyday when the article was published. Her brother filed Forlagið | Mál & menning The Forlagid Rights Agency life to deep contemplations about the circle of charges against Gerður Kristný to the Icelandic Valgerður Benediktsdóttir life and human existence. Press Associations Ethics committee, who found [email protected] Poems of the road can be seen as a sequel her guilty of breaching ethic protocol after she www.forlagid.is to her book Af ljóði ertu komin from 2016. refused to apologize for publishing the article. Requiem is a long poem written in memory of this woman. The narrator is a ghost of sorts, staying with the deceased and reviewing her life. He contemplates her destiny and speculates A unique voice Moving images on what punishment would be appropriate for her tormentor. The poems are to the point, big destiny among Icelandic with links to poets carved with few words into moving images with foreign sales of previous titles both ancient and links to both ancient and contemporary poetry. China (China International Radio Press), Denmark (Rosinante), contemporary Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany (Hanser Verlag/ poetry Rowholt), Holland (Harper Collins), Italy (Mondadori), Macedonia, Norway (Gloria Forlag), Poland (Wydawnictwo Kobiece), Serbia (CLIO), Sweden (Vega), UK (John Murray), USA foreign sales of previous titles Denmark (Vandkunsten), Finland awards & nominations (Savukeidas), Germany (Ullstein), • 2017 Awarded the Icelandic Norway (Aschehoug), Sweden Steinunn Sigurðardóttir (b. 1950), is a highly Women’s Literature Prize Gerður Kristný (b. 1970) is the author of more than (Ariel), UK (Arc Publications) acclaimed Icelandic novelist and poet. Her • 2016 Awarded the Icelandic 30 books and has received numerous prizes and works have been translated into, among other Booksellers Prize accolades for her work, which has been translated awards & nominations • 2016 & 2005 Nominated for • 2018 Nominated for languages, Swedish, German, French, Danish and the DV Cultural Prize into many languages. Gerður Kristný won the the Icelandic Literary Prize English. Steinunn received the Icelandic Literary • 2014 Awarded the Jónas Icelandic Literary Prize in 2010 for her book- • 2010 Awarded Prize for her novel Place of the Heart (Hjarta­ Hallgrímsson Prize length poem Bloodhoof (Blóðhófnir, 2010). the Icelandic Literary Prize • 1995 Awarded the Icelandic • 2018, 2010, 2008 & 2005 staður, 1995). She was awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize the Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize Women’s Literature Prize in 2017 for Heida – The • 1991 Awarded the Icelandic • 2010 The West-Nordic Children’s Solitary Sheep Farmer (Heiða – fjalldalabóndinn). Broadcasting Service Writer’s Literature Prize Prize • 2010 The Guðmundur Böðvarsson • 2011, 2009, 2005, 1999 & 1990 Poetry Award Nominated for the Icelandic • 2005 The Icelandic Journalism Literary Prize Award • 1997 & 1988 Nominated for the • 2004 The Halldór Laxness Nordic Council’s Literature Prize Literature Prize • 1996 Nominated for the • 2003 The Children’s Choice Aristeion Award Book Prize

16 Books from Iceland 2019 17 Poetry China International Batzer & co Finland Germany Polar Könyvek Radio Press Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Aviador Kustannus Bastei Lübbe Kristín Eiríksdóttir Fiction Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Ör Jón Kalman Stefánsson Arnaldur Indriðason Elín, ýmislegt Albania Ástin fiskanna Afleggjarinn Fiskarnir hafa enga Myrkrið veit Aleph Klub Ungfrú Ísland fætur Israel Halldór Laxness Xiron Books btb/Random House Locus Sjálfstætt fólk Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Grif Like Einar Kárason Sjón Ör Kristín Eiríksdóttir Steinar Bragi Stormfuglar Skugga-Baldur Ombra GVG Elín, ýmislegt Kata Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Croatia btb/Random House Tamir Sendik Ör Hena Gyldendal France Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Einar Már Jónas Reynir An Alarch’h Gatið Ör Shkupi Guðmundsson Gunnarsson Jón Kalman Stefánsson Brúðan Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Englar alheimsins Millilending Himnaríki og helvíti Aska Italy Ég man þig Auðnin Einaudi Kuldi Katai & B (Znanje d.o.o.) Lindhardt og Ringhof Gaia Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ragnar Jónasson Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Sigríður Hagalín btb/Random House Ör Azerbaijan Myrknætti Brúðan Björnsdóttir Ragnar Jónasson Alatoran Literature Rof Gatið Hið heilaga orð Dimma Einaudi Magazine Drungi Einar Kárason Einar Kárason Czech Republic Lindhardt og Ringhof Grasset Mistur Stormfuglar Stormur Albatros Media (Ebook/Audio) Einar Kárason Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Gunnar Gunnarsson Stormfuglar Klett Cotta Federico Tozzi Editore Alatoran Literature Ör 29 titles Hallgrímur Helgason Sjón Magazine Les Editions Noir sur Sixty Kilos of Sunshine Mánasteinn Einar Már Albatros Media Nyt Dansk Blanc Guðmundsson Einar Kárason Litteraturselskab Kristín Eiríksdóttir Residenz Verlag Safara Editore Englar alheimsins Stormfuglar Kristín Marja Elín, ýmislegt Bergsveinn Birgisson Ófeigur Sigurðsson Baldursdóttir Lifandilífslækur Jón Brazil Albatros Media Svartalogn Métailié Intrínseca Ragnar Jónasson Arnaldur Indriðason S. Fischer Verlag Ugo Guanda Einar Kárason Snjóblinda Vandkunsten Stúlkan hjá brúnni Sjón Arnaldur Indriðason Stormfuglar Gerður Kristný Rökkurbýsnir Myrkrið veit Dybbuk Smartís Métailié Skugga-Baldur Þýska húsið Bulgaria Gyrðir Elíasson Lilja Sigurðardóttir Roboread Koparakur Egypt Svik Hungary Japan Halldór Laxness Al Arabi Central Kiadói Csoport Shogakukan Sjálfstætt fólk MOBA Einar Kárason Zulma Arnaldur Indriðason Ragnar Jónasson Arnaldur Indriðason Stormfuglar Einar Már Reykjavíkurnætur Dimma Janet 45 Kleifarvatn Guðmundsson Jón Kalman Stefánsson Þýska húsið Al Arabi Passamyndir Cser South Korea Hjarta mannsins Guðmundur Andri Sigríður Hagalín Hangilsa OneHotBook (audio) Thorsson Zulma Björnsdóttir Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Canada (French) Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Valeyrarvalsinn Gunnar Gunnarsson Eyland Ör La Peuplade DNA Aðventa Gyrðir Elíasson Sogið Al Arabi Gondolat Kiado Munhakdongne Sandárbókin Aflausn Jón Gnarr Sjón Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Útlaginn CoDex 1962 Ég man þig China Zlin China Booky Steinar Bragi Al Arabi Magvetö Einar Kárason Kata Lilja Sigurðardóttir Einar Kárason Stormfuglar Gildran Stormfuglar Denmark Art People Estonia Lilja Sigurðardóttir Eesti Raamat Búrið Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Netið Ör 18 Rights sold 19 2018 Lebanon Xander Literackie Russia Sweden Orenda Books Arabic Scientific Steinar Bragi Steinar Bragi Eksmo Bigarråbok Lilja Sigurðardóttir Publishing Kata Kata Steinar Bragi Lilja Sigurðardóttir Búrið Arnaldur Indriðason Kata Gildran Svik Reykjavíkurnætur Norway Poznańskie Búrið Bokvennen Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Eksmo Netið Pushkin Press Dar al Adab Gyrðir Elíasson Ör Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Gangandi íkorni DNA HarperCollins Nordic Ungfrú Ísland Ör Wydawnictow Amber Sogið Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Forlaget Press Ragnar Jónasson Aflausn DNA Quercus/Maclehose Thaqafa Jón Kalman Stefánsson Dimma Sogið Jón Kalman Stefánsson Arnaldur Indriðason Saga Ástu Heliks d.o.o. Aflausn Sumarljós og svo kemur Kamp Knox Fiskarnir hafa enga Wydawnictwo Kobiece Jón Kalman Stefánsson nóttin fætur Lilja Sigurðardóttir Fiskarnir hafa enga Norstedts Lithuania Eitthvað á stærð við Svik fætur Arnaldur Indriðason The Emma Press (World Alma Littera alheiminn Myrkrið veit English) Hallgrímur Helgason Portugal Serbia Gerður Kristný Sixty Kilos of Sunshine Gloria forlag 2020 editora Heliks Publishing House Norstedts (Audio | Smartís Ragnar Jónasson Ragnar Jónasson Gyrðir Elíasson e-books) Baltos Lankos Dimma Andköf Milli trjánna Arnaldur Indriðason Wild Pressed Books Jón Kalman Stefánsson Drungi Dimma Petsamo Þóra Karítas Árnadóttir Himnaríki og helvíti Mistur Slovakia Skuggasund Mörk – saga mömmu Cavalo de Ferro Albatros Þýska húsið Leidykla Aukso Zuvys Gyldendal Jón Kalman Stefánsson Steinar Bragi WF Howes Oddný Eir Ævarsdóttir Steinar Bragi Fiskarnir hafa enga Kata Thorén & Lindskog Arnaldur Indriðason Jarðnæði Kata fætur Einar Kárason Skuggasund Eitthvað á stærð við Artforum spol Stormfuglar Þýska húsið Lithuanian Writers’ Union Kagge alheiminn Jón Kalman Stefánsson Publishers Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Saga Ástu Weyler förlag Ukraine Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Gatið Quetzal Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Vydavnytstvo Ör Brúðan Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Spain Ungfrú Ísland Sjón Ör Alfaguara Mánasteinn Macedonia Norway Lydbokforlaget Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Turkey ArtConnect Publishing (Audio) Romania Ör Nebula USA Kristín Eiríksdóttir Jón Kalman Stefánsson Art Grup Editorial Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Dottir Press Elín, ýmislegt Harmur englanna Hallgrímur Helgason Editorial Sexto Piso Ör Auður Jónsdóttir Himnaríki og helvíti Konan við 1000° Oddný Eir Ævarsdóttir Stóri skjálfti ArtConnect Publishing Hjarta mannsins Jarðnæði United Kingdom Ragnar Jónasson Flacara (Crime Scene Amazon Crossing (World Grove Atlantic Snjóblinda Pax Press) Grupo Planeta Espasa English) Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ragnar Jónasson Libros Kristín Eiríksdóttir Ungfrú Ísland Magor Publishing Ungfrú Ísland Snjóblinda Ragnar Jónasson Elín, ýmislegt Gyrðir Elíasson Snjóblinda Vietnam Steintré Vigmostad & Bjørke Polirom Dimma Amazon Crossing (World Taodan Books Bergsveinn Birgisson Jón Kalman Stefánsson English) Halldór Laxness Skhupi Lifandilífslækur Saga Ástu RBA Stefán Máni Sjálfstætt fólk Andri Snær Magnason Arnaldur Indriðason Svartigaldur LoveStar (Albanian) Poland Trei Dauðarósir Wydawnictwo Kobiece Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Synir duftsins Hodder & Stoughton The Netherlands Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Ég man þig Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Uitgeverij Volt Gæðakonur Salamandra Gatið Arnaldur Indriðason Jón Kalman Stefánsson Brúðan Stúlkan hjá brúnni Jagiellonian University Sumarljós og svo kemur Press nóttin MacLehose Press Einar Kárason Einar Kárason Stormfuglar Stormfuglar

20 Rights sold 21 2018 Macedonia Antolog Books Gloria Forlag Children Andri Snær Magnason Poetry Non- Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Tímakistan Argentina Heiða – fjalldalabóndinn & Young Evaristo Editorial fiction Antolog Books Sjón Samlaget Gunnar Helgason Gráspörvar og ígulker Egypt Prjónafélagið Adult Al Arabi Publishing Mamma klikk! Söngur steinasafnarans Leikskólaföt Bergsveinn Birgisson Leikskólaföt 2 Denmark Leitin að svarta Torgard Prozart media Germany víkingnum Hildur Knútsdóttir Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir Elif Verlag Spartacus Vetrarfrí Flugan sem stöðvaði Sigurður Pálsson Unnur Þóra Jökulsdóttir Vetrarhörkur stríðið Ljóð muna rödd France Undur Mývatns Gaia Gísli Pálsson Torgard Norway Vigmostad & Bjørke Norway Fjallið sem yppti öxlum Kristín Helga Skald Nordsjöforlaget Bergsveinn Birgisson Gunnarsdóttir Áslaug Jónsdóttir, Kalle Gerður Kristný Leitin að svarta Vertu ósýnilegur Güettler & Rakel Strandir Germany víkingnum Helmsdal Hanser Verlag Skrímsli í heimsókn Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Poland Faroe Islands Poland Heiða – fjalldalabóndinn Bókadeildin Skrímsli í vanda e-sagi.pl Wydawnictwo Kobiece Áslaug Jónsdóttir, Kalle Elísabet Kristín Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Marc Friedrich Güettler & Rakel Spain Jökulsdóttir Heiða – fjalldalabóndinn Hugleikur Dagsson Helmsdal Editora Alvarellos Ástin ein taugahrúga. The Very Worst of Skrímsli í vanda Áslaug Jónsdóttir Enginn dans við Serbia Dagsson Ég vil fisk! (Galician) Ufsaklett CLIO South Korea Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Hungary Woorischool Sweden Instytut Kultury Miejskiej Heiða – fjalldalabóndinn Líra Könyv Gunnar Helgason Opal Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir Bergsveinn Birgisson Mamma klikk! Áslaug Jónsdóttir, Kalle frelsi Sweden Güettler & Rakel Leitin að svarta Bonnier víkingnum Latvia Helmsdal Sweden Guðrún S. Magnúsdóttir Liels un mazs Skrímsli í vanda Lil’Lit Jólaprjón Andri Snær Magnason Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir Italy Mondadori Sagan af bláa hnettinum USA frelsi United Kingdom Restless Books Steinunn Sigurðardóttir John Murray Heiða – fjalldalabóndinn Andri Snær Magnason Ukraine Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Tímakistan Krok Publisher Heiða – fjalldalabóndinn Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl South Korea Bookrecipe Óratorrek USA Unnur Þóra Jökulsdóttir Paramount Pictures and Undur Mývatns Anonymous Content (screen rights) The Netherlands Bergsveinn Birgisson Harper Collins Leitin að svarta Steinunn Sigurðardóttir víkingnum Heiða – fjalldalabóndinn

Ambo Anthos Unnur Þóra Jökulsdóttir Undur Mývatns

Norway Bonnier Guðrún S. Magnúsdóttir Jólaprjón

22 Rights sold 23 2018 Benný Sif Ísleifsdóttir Fríða Bonnie Andersen Grima Gríma For Ever and Ever, Love Að eilífu ástin

Iceland’s prosperity is based on fisheries and that Novel An older man starts researching the mysterious past Novel 368 pp 276 pp was especially true fifty years ago, the period in 2018 of his mother who died when he was young, around 2018 which the book is set. However, the story focuses the middle of the twentieth century. Gradually a on another side of fishing, the fishermen’s wives rightsholder picture emerges of her life as a seamstress in Paris rightsholder Bjartur Bjartur who stay behind, looking after home and children. Páll Valsson where she fell in love with a woman and discovered a Páll Valsson The main character, Grima, is not your average [email protected] more liberal view of homosexuality, love and sex than [email protected] Icelandic housewife, but a woman who’d rather www.bjartur.is she was used to from Iceland. When she moves back www.bjartur.is have nice clothes and fun than tend to the home. to Iceland, same-sex love breaches all social norms. In this book we find a realistic picture A well written and catchy debut that shows of an Icelandic fishing village where everything what the consequences of silencing same sex love can seems to be going smoothly but secrets are be, for all involved. crawling to the surface with unforeseen consequences. This is a thrilling, historical debut that was awarded the Icelandic Literature Center’s Grassroot Grant in 2018. A thrilling, A well written and historical debut! catchy debut

Benný Sif Ísleifsdóttir (b. 1970) holds a M.A. degree awards Fríða Bonnie Andersen (b. 1964) is a free-lance in Folkloric Studies from the University of Iceland, • 2018 The Icelandic Literature physiotherapist. She studied creative writing at Center’s Grassroot Grant as well as a diploma in Youth and Community the University of Iceland and has also completed Studies from Saint Martin’s College and a degree courses on writing for children and short stories. in Applied Icelandic Studies. Gríma is her first Fríða Bonnie has also written plays, flash fiction novel. and short stories that have been published in magazines and short story collections.

24 Books from Iceland 2019 25 Debutants Birkir Blær Ingólfsson Þórdís Helgadóttir Stormy Rocks – The People Emperor Penguins Keisaramörgæsir Who Captured the Wind Stormsker – Fólkið sem fangaði vindinn

Twelve-year-old Opus lives with his exhausted YA | Fantasy Emperor Penguins is a collection of sixteen Short story collection 257 pp 156 pp mother in a small flat on an unnamed island in 2018 diverse short stories where realism and fantasy 2018 the North Sea where the winds blow constantly. vie against each other in a charming and unique The richest man in the world has settled down on English sample translation way. Most of the stories echo contemporary rightsholder available Bjartur the island and is building masts by the thousands problems where mental disease, anxiety, guilt Páll Valsson in order to harness the wind so he can squeeze about global warming and domestic violence [email protected] more hours into the day. That has unforeseen rightsholder are prevalent to name but a few. www.bjartur.is Forlagið | Vaka Helgafell consequences. Opus’s life is drastically changed The Forlagid Rights Agency This book bears witness to the true when he is told that he has been chosen by the Valgerður Benediktsdóttir originality and creativity of its author and is wind itself to save the world from perishing. [email protected] sometimes reminiscent of TV shows like www.forlagid.is Stormy Rocks is an original and thrilling Black Mirror. The style is ironic, poetic and fantasy for mature children where the greed of unpretentious. The stories begin and end man almost becomes his downfall. A beautifully abruptly and what is unsaid lingers in the written book, bearing a classic but yet urgent air, amplifying the suspense. message in these treacherous times of global warming. An original and This book reflects thrilling fantasy for the true originality mature children and creativity of its author

Birkir Blær Ingólfsson (b. 1989) is an Icelandic awards Þórdís Helgadóttir (b. 1981) holds degrees in author and scriptwriter who develops and writes • 2018 The Icelandic Children’s philosophy, creative writing and editing from the Book Award scripts for various series. He is a professional University of Iceland. Emperor Penguins is her saxophone player, has completed a law degree first book, although she has previously published at the University of Iceland and is a part-time a few poems and short stories in magazines and journalist for the Icelandic National Broadcasting literary collections. Service. Stormy Rocks – The People Who Captured the Wind is the winner of the 2018 Icelandic Children’s Book Award.

26 Books from Iceland 2019 27 Debutants Crime fiction Crime fiction 358 pp 300 pp Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Veröld | 2018 Arnaldur Indriðason 2018 English sample translation English sample translation The Doll Brúðan available The Girl by the Bridge available

rightsholder rightsholder Salomonsson Agency Stúlkan hjá brúnni Forlagið | Vaka-Helgafell Federico Ambrosini The Forlagid Rights Agency federico@salomonssonagency. Valgerður Benediktsdóttir com [email protected] www.salomonssonagency.se www.forlagid.is

The head of a home for disadvantaged children Konrad, a retired policeman and the protagonist sold to is accused of sexually molesting a young boy in of several previous books by Indriðason, returns. France (Métailie), The his charge, two human right feet are found at As in some of the previous books, the story takes Netherlands (Uitgeverij Volt) the bottom of the ocean and a homeless man is place in two different time periods. Konrad is foreign sales of previous titles found murdered. Three different cases come to asked to help an elderly couple to look for their Abu Dhabi (Thaqafa), Armenia the attention of the police at the same time, which granddaughter who they suspect is smuggling (Guitank), Brazil (Companhia das Letras), Bulgaria (Colibri), is also the worst season: in the middle of the drugs. Konrad, however, is preoccupied with the Catalonia (La Magrana), Czech summer when most of the force is on vacation. fate of his father, who was a fraudulent medium, Republic (MOBA), Croatia Huldar, the policeman, and Freyja the psychiatrist sold to stabbed to death decades before. An unsolved (Knjige i sve to), Simplified Denmark (Lindhardt og Ringhof), Chinese (Xinhua), Denmark are assigned to the investigation and the cases Germany (btb/Random House), case about a girl found dead in the Reykjavík Pond (Rosinante), Estonia (NyNorden), turn out to be linked in an unusual manner where Norway (Kagge), UK (Hodder & in 1961 complicates things even further. Ethiopia (Qirtas), Faroe a doll covered in barnacles with a locket around Stoughton) Arnaldur Indriðason shows yet again that Islands (Sprotin), Finland (Blue Moon), France/Switzerland/ her neck plays an important part. foreign sales of previous titles he has mastered crime fiction. The plot is not only Luxembourg/Canada (Métailié), Yrsa the engineer has a knack for twisting Albania (Shkupi), Bulgaria enthralling, where the history of Reykjavík in the Germany/Switzerland/Austria together complicated plots with surprising (Emas), Czech Republic 20th century plays a big part, but he also manages (Verlagsgruppe Lübbe), (OneHotBook/Metafora), Greece (Metachmio), Hungary Yrsa has a knack endings. This novel has all those hallmarks. Denmark (Lindhardt og Ringhof), The plot is to make convincing references to contemporary (Animus), Israel (Keter), Italy for twisting together Estonia (Varrak), Finland (Otava), issues such as #metoo and give them a historic (Ugo Guanda), Japan (Tokyo Germany (BTB/Random House), enthralling context. Sogensha), Korea (Open complicated plots Greece (Metaichmio), Hungary Books), Latvia (Apgads (Animus), Italy (Mondadori), and convincing Mansards), Lithuania (Baltos with surprising Korea (Munhakdongne/Taurus Lankos), Macedonia (Tri), Books), Latvia (Zvaigzne), references to The Netherlands/Belgium/ endings Macedonia (Antolog), The contemporary Luxembourg (Uitgeverij Q), Netherlands (Cargo), Norway Norway (Cappelen Damm), (Kagge), Portugal (Quetzal/ issues Poland (Foksal), Portugal (Porto Sonia Draga), Romania Editores), Romania (Trei), (Editura Trei), Russia (Eksmo), Russia (Corpus), Serbia (Booka), Sweden (Harper Collins), Slovenia (Didakta), Spain/ Turkey (Koridor), UK (Hodder Andorra/South and Central & Stoughton), USA (St. Martin’s America/USA (RBA Libros), Press) Sweden (Norstedts/Prisma), Turkey (Dogan), Taiwan (Crown), awards & nominations Thailand (Pearl), UK/Australia/ Yrsa Sigurðardóttir (b. 1963) is the author of the • 2018 Longlisted for the Arnaldur Indriðason (b. 1961) has the rare New Zealand/South-Africa award-winning Þóra Guðmundsdóttir series and International Dublin Literary distinction of having won the Nordic Crime Novel (Random House/Harvill Secker), several stand-alone thrillers, and is to date Award Prize two years running. He is also the winner of USA/Philippines (St. Martin’s • 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2010, Press/Thomas Dunne Books), translated into more than 30 languages. 2009, 2008 & 2007 Nominated the highly respected CWA Gold Dagger Award for Vietnam (Alphabooks) Universally hailed as one of the finest crime for The Drop of Blood the top crime novel of the year in the English writers of our time, Yrsa’s new series, about the • 2017 & 2016 Shortlisted for language, Silence of the Grave. Indridason’s among awards LovelyBooks’ Der Leserpreis • 2016 Honyaku Mystery Award psychologist Freyja and the police officer Huldar, • 2017 & 2014 Shortlisted for the novels have sold over 13 million copies worldwide, • 2013 RBA’s International Crime shows a master storyteller at the top of her game. Petrona Award in 40 languages, and have won numerous well- Novel Award The Doll is the fifth instalment in Yrsa’s series • 2016 The Danish Academy of respected prizes and received rave reviews all over • 2008 The Barry Award Crime Writers’ Award • 2008 The Icelandic Crime Novel about Freyja and Huldar. • 2015 & 2011 Awarded The Drop the world. Award of Blood • 2005 The CWA Gold Dagger • 2015 The Petrona Award Award • 2016 Shortlisted for the Mörda • 2005 The Martin Beck Award Award • 2003 & 2002 The Glass Key • 2014 & 2011 Nominated for the • 2003 The Swedish Caliber Glass Key Award

28 Books from Iceland 2019 29 Crime fiction Lilja Sigurðardóttir Ármann Jakobsson Betrayal Svik Exile Murders Útlagamorðin

Ursula has recently taken on the job of Minister Crime fiction The Exile Murders is in many respects a typical Crime fiction 390 pp 328 pp of the Interior in Iceland but is haunted by her 2018 “whodunit”: A young Swedish tourist is found 2018 previous job in a refugee camp in Syria. In her murdered in a small village in the countryside new job she gets swept into a fast sequence of English sample translation under unknown circumstances. An experienced rightsholder available Bjartur events where political interests and complicated team of policemen is sent from Reykjavik to Páll Valsson crimes from the past are intertwined and Ursula rightsholder investigate but at first sight there are no clues to [email protected] realises that she can trust no one. At the same Forlagid | JPV be found. One of Iceland’s most famous criminal www.bjartur.is The Forlagid Rights Agency time her private life hangs in a delicate balance Valgerður Benediktsdóttir cases is woven into the story and the writer and she needs to focus on saving her marriage. [email protected] skilfully shows how power and corruption can Lilja Sigurðardóttir is one of Iceland’s www.forlagid.is infect the community. most productive writers of crime fiction and Ármann Jakobsson is a known doesn’t let her fans down in this suspenseful medievalist and writer, who reveals a new story straight from contemporary Iceland. side of himself in this well written and exciting crime novel.

A suspenseful A well written sold to and exciting crime story straight from Poland (Wydawnictwo Kobiece), contemporary World English (Orenda Books), novel World French (Métailie) Iceland foreign sales of previous titles Czech Republic (Leda), Denmark (People’s Press), Egypt (Al Arabi), France /Switzerland / Luxembourg/Canada (Éditions Métailié), Macedonia (Bata Press), Norway (Font), Poland (Kobiece), World English (Orenda Books) Film rights sold to 66 Degrees North/Palomar Pictures Lilja Sigurðardóttir (b. 1972) is an award-winning Ármann Jakobsson (b. 1970) is a professor in playwright and author of crime novels, with Snare, awards & nominations mediaeval Icelandic literature at the University of the first in a series, hitting bestseller lists • 2018 Awarded The Drop of Iceland. Exile Murders is his first crime novel but Blood, Iceland worldwide. The film rights have been bought by • 2018 Nominated for the Glass he has previously published novels, poetry and Palomar Pictures in California. Key academic non-fiction. • 2018 CWA International Dagger Longlist • 2018 Longlisted for Prix du Meilleur Polar at Points • 2018 Cote Caen selection, Top Summer Reads in France • 2018 Nominated for the First Book Award • 2017 Thriller of the year, selected by New York Journal of Books • 2017 & 2016 Nominated for The Drop of Blood

30 Books from Iceland 2019 31 Crime fiction Gunnsteinn Ólafsson Rósa Rut Þórisdóttir Páll Stefánsson Polar bears in Iceland Hvítabirnir á Íslandi The Heart of Iceland – Pearls of the highlands Hjarta Íslands – Perlur hálendisins

The Icelandic highlands are often called the heart Non-fiction | Photography This book is a collection of all available sources Non-fiction 190 pp 270 pp of Iceland and this elaborate and special book 2018 regarding the coming of polar bears to Iceland, 2018 gives a beautiful insight into this extraordinary from the settlement of Iceland to the present. territory. Páll Stefánsson is one of Iceland’s rightsholder The author’s father, Þórir Haraldsson, had worked rightsholder Veröld Hólar most beloved nature photographers and he shows Pétur Már Ólafsson on the book for many years and, when he passed Guðjón Ingi Eiríksson why in this book, which contains several new [email protected] away, his daughter Rósa Rut carried on where [email protected] photographs from the highlands’ most ravishing www.verold.is he left off. pearls of nature. The photos are accompanied by The stories are in chronological order and intriguing texts by Gunnsteinn Ólafsson, who has some are really thrilling and give a good insight years of experience as a tour guide, and describes into the unforeseen circumstances when the polar the nature, geology, folklore and literature that is bears suddenly disrupt the quietness of the connected to each place. Icelandic countryside. Sometimes the bears are This is a remarkable book that is sure fought out in the field, but on other occasions they to hit all those who love Icelandic nature straight Unique stories come all the way up to the farms and cause great in the heart. terror. Many drawings and photos decorate the A remarkable book about the coming book, making it one of a kind. about the Icelandic of polar bears to highlands Iceland

Gunnsteinn Ólafsson (b. 1962) has operated as a Rósa Rut Þórisdóttir (b. 1972) has been active in foreign sales of previous titles the arctic discourse for over a decade. She is an Germany (Südwestdeutscher tour guide in the Icelandic highlands and written Verlag für Hochschulschriften), a book about Iceland for travellers called The associate scientist at the Stefansson Arctic France (Éditions universitaires Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon, as well as writing Institution in Akureyri, Iceland and has a Ph.D européennes) degree in anthropology from the University of two books for children. nominations Paris (Paris 7), specializing in visual anthropology • 2018 Nominated for non- Páll Stefánsson (b. 1958) studied photography in and arctic regions, analyzing anthropological fiction prize Hagthenkir Sweden and has travelled the world as a images from the circumpolar area. photographer taking pictures. From 1982 to 2017 he worked for the magazine Iceland Review, both as a photographer and editor. Páll has published over thirty books, exhibited his work in every continent except the Antarctic and now holds the position of Sony Global Imaging Ambassador.

32 Books from Iceland 2019 33 Non-fiction Ragnar Helgi Ólafsson Þórður Snær Júlíusson My Father’s Library Bókasafn föður míns Kaupthinking – the bank that owned itself Kaupthinking – Bankinn sem átti sig sjálfur

Ólafur Ragnarsson, who was Halldór Laxness’s Non-fiction The great banking crisis of 2008 was the biggest Non-fiction 200 pp 371 pp publisher, died in 2008. A few years later, his son, 2018 man-made disaster ever to strike Iceland. The fall 2018 Ragnar Helgi, has to go through his library of 4000 of Kaupthing that autumn was the fourth biggest books and find a new place for it. In the beginning rightsholder bankruptcy in history worldwide. A few years rightsholder Bjartur Bjartur he is determined not to open a single book, but Páll Valsson later, the key administrators of the bank had been Páll Valsson he can’t resist and soon he is reading avidly [email protected] sentenced to prison for the most severe economic [email protected] and pondering on the value of books and the www.bjartur.is crimes in the history of Iceland. In Kaupthinking www.bjartur.is written word. the journalist Þórður Snær Júlíusson traces the A wonderfully written, melancholy and history of the banking crisis and demonstrates thoughtful book about memories, grief, books how, through deceit, deception and criminal and culture in a rapidly changing world. But last intent, a group of men could create an illusion and not least, this is a story about the relationship of success; an illusion that resulted in tragedy. between father and son and what truly matters This book has been ten years in the in life. making and is based on, among other things, previously unpublished documents, e-mails, A wonderfully The inside story phone records and interrogations. Þórður Snær of one of the is a skilled researcher and untangles complicated written, business dealings in a clear and relatable way, melancholy biggest bank revealing the enthralling tale of a bank founded and thoughtful fraud in history on fraud from day one. book

Ragnar Helgi Ólafsson (b. 1971) is a writer and foreign sales of previous titles Þórður Snær Júlíusson (b. 1980) is the editor and France (Éditions Passage(s)), visual artist, living and working in Reykjavík. A Germany (Elif Verlag) one of the founding members of the webzine poet, playwright and author of both novels and Kjarninn. He holds a BA degree in politics from short story collections. Ragnar Helgi has received awards & nominations the University of Iceland and a M.Sc. in European • 2018 & 2017 Nominated for the two nominations for the Icelandic Literary Prize, Icelandic Literary Prize and international politics from Edinburg for Bókasafn föður míns in 2018 and the short • 2017 Nominated for the DV University. Þórður Snær has worked in the media story collection, Handbók um minni og gleymsku, Cultural Prize for 13 years. He won the Journalist of the year • 2015 Awarded the Tómas in 2017. Guðmundsson Poetry Prize award from the Icelandic Press Association in 2009 for investigative journalism and his coverage of the financial crisis has been nominated for the same award three times since then.

34 Books from Iceland 2019 35 Non-fiction Kristín Eiríksdóttir Kristín Ómarsdóttir A Fist or a Heart Elín, ýmislegt spiders in shop windows Kóngulær í sýningargluggum

Elín is a woman just past seventy who works at set Novel Spiders in shop windows is a uniquely original, Poetry 182 pp design in theatre and movies. The story starts very powerful and demanding work of poetry, full 93 pp 2017 Forlagið | 2017 when she receives three boxes which contain of similes and situations that open new various elements from her life and past. Then English sample translation dimensions and give us a new view of our world. rightsholder available Ellen, an up-and-coming dramatist, enters her life Spiders in shop windows has received Forlagid | JPV The Forlagid Rights Agency and she turns out to have played a part in Elín’s rightsholder several awards and nominations. It won the May Valgerdur Benediktsdottir past, under terrible circumstances. This novel Forlagið | JPV Star, 2017 Icelandic poetry prize, was nominated [email protected] The Forlagid Rights Agency www.forlagid.is is a masterfully plotted story where the narrative Valgerður Benediktsdóttir for the 2017 Icelandic Literary Prize and is shifts between two women who turn out to be [email protected] nominated for the 2019 Nordic Council Literature quite similar in many ways. www.forlagid.is Prize. This novel is a showcase for the author’s skill in describing revealing situations with a dense plot. A Fist or a Heart is full of powerful symbols and references that add depth and A showcase for meaning to the text. This is a story of women A uniquely orginal, the author’s skill in art and women in life, with all the cruelty, very powerful and in describing trauma, joy and revelation that entails. demanding work revealing of poetry situations with a dense plot foreign sales of previous titles Albania (Ombra GVG), Denmark sold to (Jensen & Dalgaard), France World English (Le Cavalier Bleu), UK (Carcanet (AmazonCrossing), Denmark Press/Partus Press), USA (Open (Grif), France (Notabilia), Letter) Hungary (Polar Könyvek), Macedonia (ArtConnect) awards & nominations • 2019 & 2000 Nominated for the Nordic Council’s Literature Prize Kristín Eiríksdóttir (b. 1981) made her mark on the Foreign sales of previous titles Kristín Ómarsdóttir (b. 1962) is the author of seven UK/US (Dalkey Archive Press; • 2017 Awarded the May Star, literary scene in a big way with her collection of Best European Fiction) novels, six short story collections, seven books of Icelandic poetry prize short stories, Doris Dies in 2010. Critics agreed that a poetry, and more than seven stage plays. Her work • 2017, 2012, 1997 & 1995 Nominated for the Icelandic new, fully-fledged author had arrived with one of the awards & nominations has been published in English, Danish, German, • 2019 Nominated for the Nordic Literary Prize most significant works of fiction of the year. Her Council Literature Prize Finnish, Galician, Swedish and French. Ómarsdóttir • 2015, 2008 & 1999 Nominated voice is strong and unwavering – one of the most • 2018 & 2015 Nominated for has been nominated and has won several awards for the DV Cultural Prize • 2011 & 2008 Nominated for the original of her generation. the DV Cultural Prize for her works. She lives in Reykjavik and is currently • 2017 Awarded the Icelandic Gríman Drama Award Literary Prize working on a new novel. • 2009 Awarded the Women’s • 2017 Awarded the Icelandic Literature Prize Women’s Literature Prize • 2005 Awarded Gríman, • 2014 Awarded the Icelandic Icelandic Drama Awards Bookseller’s Prize • 2001 Nominated for the Nordic • 2014 Nominated for the Radio Drama Prize Icelandic Literary Prize • 1998 Awarded the DV Cultural • 2013 Nominated for the Prize Icelandic Women’s Literature • 1998 Nominated for the Nordic Prize Drama Award

36 Icelandic nominations for the 37 Nordic Council Literature Prize 2019 The The The The Icelandic Icelandic Icelandic Hagþenkir­ Literary Women’s Book­seller’s Non-fiction Prize Literature Literary Prize Prize Prize Fiction Fiction Fiction Non-fiction Hallgrímur Helgason Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir Sixty Kilos of Sunshine Love Texas Miss Iceland The Pornographic Moment. Sextíu kíló af sólskini Ástin Texas Ungfrú Ísland Pornography and Obscenity Forlagið | JPV Bjartur Benedikt in Iceland in the Times of the Sexual Revolution Children’s and YA Books Children’s and YA Books Non-fiction Stund klámsins. Sigrún Eldjárn Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir Þóra Ellen Þórhallsdóttir, Hörður Klám á Íslandi á tímum The Silver Key Fiasol Never Gives Up Kristinsson & Jón Baldur kynlífsbyltingarinnar Silfurlykillinn Fíasól gefst aldrei upp Hlíðberg Sögufélag Forlagið | Mál & menning Forlagið | Mál & menning The Flora of Iceland Flóra Íslands Non-fiction Non-fiction Forlagið | Vaka-Helgafell Þóra Ellen Þórhallsdóttir, Hörður Auður Jónsdóttir, Bára Huld Kristinsson & Jón Baldur Beck & Steinunn Stefánsdóttir Young Adult Books Hlíðberg Þjáningarfrelsið – óreiða Hildur Knútsdóttir The Flora of Iceland hugsjóna og hagsmuna í heimi The Lion Flóra Íslands fjölmiðla Ljónið Forlagið | Vaka-Helgafell Forlagið | Mál & menning Forlagið | JPV

Children’s Books Þórarinn Eldjárn & Sigrún Eldjárn Wordsmith Ljóðpundari Forlagið | Vaka-Helgafell

Biography Þóra Kristín Ásgeirsdóttir The Lost Cause of Hasim Kahn Hasim Forlagið | JPV

Poetry Gerður Kristný Requiem Sálumessa Forlagið | Mál & menning

38 Icelandic Literature Prizes 39 Icelandic Literature Prizes Icelandic Literature Center promotes Icelandic literature abroad

The role of the Icelandic Literature Grants Center is to raise awareness and Translation grants support the publication of Icelandic ŠŠ for foreign publishers to publish literature, both in Iceland and a work translated from Icelandic abroad, and to enable its distribution through translation Nordic translation grants and travel grants. ŠŠ for publishers within the Nordic We support the translation countries to translate from Icelandic of fiction, children’s and young into Nordic languages adult books, non-fiction, poetry, drama and graphic novels. Sample translation grants The Icelandic Literature ŠŠ for publishers, agents, translators Center is a government-funded & authors to translate samples office, founded in 2013. from Icelandic

Reader’s report grants ŠŠ for publishers & agents to get professional opinion on Icelandic books

Travel grants for authors ŠŠ for Icelandic authors, foreign publishers or organizations arranging events to support Icelandic authors travelling to promote their works abroad

Translators residential grants ŠŠ for translators of Icelandic literature

Application deadlines ŠŠ translation, sample translation, reader’s report & Nordic translation grants | February 15th & September 15th ŠŠ travel grants | January 15th, May 15th & September 15th ŠŠ translators residential grants | October 1st

41 Icelandic Literature Center ŠŠ distributes approx. EUR 600,000 in grants annually ŠŠ awards grants for 300 projects every year ŠŠ participates in international book fairs ŠŠ organizes events for translators of Icelandic literature and publishers ŠŠ organizes exchange programs for publishers and agents ŠŠ organizes campaigns and efforts in order to promote reading, increase the number of translated titles and support the export of Icelandic literature

Icelandic Literature Center +354 552 85 00 islit.is Hverfisgata 54 [email protected] icelandiclitcenter 101 Reykjavík www.islit.is @IceLitCenter Iceland