Books about Iceland that capture the history and literary culture of this ancient and dramatic island.
"In Iceland—the oldest of all the Scandinavian languages—the connection to the vastness, the landscape and the folklore embedded in it, is very strong." Dorthe Nors discussing Scandinavian literature.
The longtime Iceland resident and nature writer Sarah Thomas recommends reading about Iceland and its people.
Halldor Laxness is the only Icelander to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. His book Independent People has been recommended on Five Books.
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1
Heaven and Hell
by Jón Kalman Stefánson, translated by Philip Roughton -
2
Land of Love and Ruins
by Oddný Eir, translated by Philip Roughton -
3
The Blue Fox
by Sjón, translated by Victoria Cribb -
4
On Time and Water
by Andri Snaer Magnason, translated by Lytton Smith -
5
The Social Life of Dreams: A Thousand Years of Negotiated Meanings in Iceland
by Adrienne Heijnen
The best books on Iceland, recommended by Sarah Thomas
The best books on Iceland, recommended by Sarah Thomas
Those seeking insight into the otherworldly landscape and unique culture of Iceland would do well to read these five books, ranging from a work of ethnography to a spellbinding fantasy novel, selected for us by the award-winning memoirist Sarah Thomas. In Iceland, she explains, the landscape “is a protagonist, not a backdrop; one from which we can learn everything we need to know.”
The best books on Old Icelandic Culture, recommended by Rory McTurk
Rory McTurk, Emeritus Professor of Icelandic Studies at the University of Leeds, introduces us to the landscape of old Icelandic culture, addressing the Icelandic sagas, medieval Nordic history, and links to Anglo-Saxon England.
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1
Har døden taget noget fra dig så giv det tilbage, Carls bog
by Naja Marie Aidt -
2
Yahya Hassan: Digte
by Yahya Hassan -
3
Det är natten
by Karolina Ramqvist -
4
Wilful Disregard: A Novel About Love
by Lena Andersson and Sarah Death (translator) -
5
Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was
by Sjón, translated by Victoria Cribb
Dorthe Nors on the best Contemporary Scandinavian Literature
Dorthe Nors on the best Contemporary Scandinavian Literature
Minimalism is big with the Danes while Icelanders favour magical realism; the Swedes keep it classical while the Norwegians get emotional. Man Booker International shortlistee Dorthe Nors takes us on a tour of the most exciting voices in contemporary Scandinavian literature.
The best books on The Vikings, recommended by Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough
The Vikings discovered America and traded slaves in Baghdad. They sometimes buried their dead in ships, but probably did not burn them. And they did not wear horned helmets. Historian Eleanor Barraclough separates myth from reality and recommends the best Viking books.
