Foreign Authors on Icelandic Literature
Rudolf Simek
The Austrian medieval scholar Dr Rudolf Simek isn't troubled by the Norse pantheon's relatively newfound employment as comic-book heroes: “On the contrary,” he says in the following interview, “I'm pleased that these myths still serve as material and inspiration for new creative enterprises.”
MoreNora Gomringer
“In 1933, Laxness wrote this story of an early and not entirely willing emancipation attempt in a laconic, observant, parable-like tone,” writes the German poet Nora Gomringer about Laxness' The Honour of the House.
MoreRoy Jacobsen
"The Saga of Njal contains everything needed for the difficult task of becoming a human being," writes the Norwegian author Roy Jacobsen.
MoreMilan Kundera
In an article on Guðbergur Bergsson's The Swan, Milan Kundera writes that the work “breathes the Icelandic landscape from every line.”
MoreJonathan Franzen
American author Jonathan Franzen enthused about Icelandic literature in a 2007 interview, claiming that Halldór Laxness' Independent People helped him through a difficult spell in his writing career.
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