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Ólafur Gunnarsson

オーラフル・グンナルソン

Ólafur Gunnarsson

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1948-07-18 （Reykjavík, Iceland）
Nationality
Iceland
Languages
Icelandic, English
Residence History
Reykjavík, Iceland

Career

Occupations
Author, Translator, Driver
Active Years
1974-
Influenced By
Halldór Laxness, Shusaku Endō
Nominations
Tröllakirkja — 1992 nomination for the Icelandic Literary Prize, Tröllakirkja (English translation) — 1996 nomination for the International Dublin Literary Award (IMPAC), Fallegi flughvalurinn — 1990 nomination for the Nordic Children's Book Prize

Education

Commercial College of Iceland
Year of Graduation: 1968
Country: Iceland
Graduated in 1968

Awards

Icelandic Literary Prize
2003
Work: Öxin og jörðin (The Ax and the Earth)
Organization: Bókmenntaborgin / City of Literature
Result: 受賞
Nordic Children's Book Prize
1990
Work: Fallegi flughvalurinn (The Beautiful Flying Whale)
Organization: Nordic Children's Book Prize
Result: ノミネート
Icelandic Literary Prize
1992
Work: Tröllakirkja (Trolls' Cathedral)
Organization: Bókmenntaborgin / City of Literature
Result: ノミネート
International Dublin Literary Award (IMPAC)
1996
Work: Trolls' Cathedral (English translation)
Organization: International Dublin Literary Award
Result: ノミネート

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Milljón prósent menn (Million Percent Men)

1978 Novel

An early novel portraying Icelandic society and interpersonal relations in the 1970s with a realist approach.

familyurbanizationsocial change
Translations
  • English translation: Million Percent Men — translated by David McDuff (2008)

Tröllakirkja (Trolls' Cathedral)

1992 Realist novel

A novel about family intrigue and societal change; one of his representative works, translated into several languages and adapted for the stage.

family conflictsocial changeurban epic
Adaptations
  • [Stage play] Tröllakirkja (stage adaptation) (1996)
Translations
  • English translation: Trolls' Cathedral — translated by David McDuff and Jill Burrows (1996)
  • German translation: Niemand wie ich — Steidl Verlag (2004)

Öxin og jörðin (The Ax and the Earth)

2003 Novel

A large-scale novel about land, labour, crime and redemption. Winner of the Icelandic Literary Prize in 2003.

land and labourcrime and redemptionintergenerational relations

Fallegi flughvalurinn (The Beautiful Flying Whale)

1989 Children's book

A imaginative children's story that was translated into English and other languages; nominated for the Nordic Children's Book Prize in 1990.

imaginationnaturefriendship
Translations
  • English translation: The Beautiful Flying Whale and the Tale of the Little Galaxy (1999)

Málarinn (The Painter)

2012 Novel

A large-scale novel about crime, forgery and their consequences, exploring motives and outcomes.

crimeforgeryresponsibility and consequences

Syndarinn (The Sinner)

2015 Novel

A recent novel that probes sin, forgiveness and the inner life of its characters.

sin and forgivenesspsychological portrait

Bibliography

  • Milljón prósent menn (1978)
  • Ljóstollur (1980)
  • Gaga (1984, 2000)
  • Heilagur andi og englar vítis (1986)
  • Tröllakirkja (1992)
  • Blóðakur (1996)
  • Vetrarferðin (1999)
  • Öxin og jörðin (2003)
  • Höfuðlausn (2005)
  • Dimmar Rósir (2008)
  • Málarinn (2012)
  • Syndarinn (2015)
  • Fallegi flughvalurinn (children's book)
  • Snjæljónin (children's book)
  • Hrognkelsin: Cyclopteri Lumpi (poetry)
  • Ljóð (poetry)

Adaptations

  • Tröllakirkja was adapted for the stage and premiered at the National Theatre of Iceland in 1996
  • Film rights for some works were sold, though a theatrically released film adaptation is not confirmed

Translations by Author

  • Has translated novels and plays into Icelandic from English, German, French and other languages

Translations of Works

  • Works have been translated into English, German and French (e.g. Gaga, Trolls' Cathedral, The Beautiful Flying Whale)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realist narrative styleDetailed social observation
Recurring Motifs
family conflictsocial change and urbanizationsin and redemptionintergenerational rupture

Legacy

A leading realist writer in contemporary Icelandic literature, acclaimed for novels that depict family drama and social change. His works have achieved international recognition through translations and stage adaptations.

Academic Societies

  • Icelandic Writers' Union

Archives

  • Forlagið (publisher) archives
  • Bókmenntaborgin / City of Literature records

In Popular Culture

  • Stage adaptation in 1996 brought public attention within Iceland
  • Some works have been translated and introduced to European readers

Quotes

  • The novels of Einar Kárason, Einar Már Guðmundsson and Ólafur Gunnarsson can all be termed urban epics.
    Source: Daisy Neijmann, A History of Icelandic Literature (2007)
  • He is one of Iceland's most important realist storytellers.
    Source: Mitzi M. Brunsdale, Encyclopedia of Nordic Crime Fiction (2016)
  • (On Tröllakirkja) a formidable work, mesmerically readable.
    Source: Paul Binding, Times Literary Supplement (article)

Trivia

  • In Icelandic naming practice the last name is patronymic; he is commonly referred to by his given name Ólafur.
  • From 1972 to 1978 he worked as a driver for Reykjavík medical emergency services.
  • Tröllakirkja was adapted for the stage in 1996 and film rights were sold.
  • Fallegi flughvalurinn was nominated for the Nordic Children's Book Prize in 1990.
  • English translators include David McDuff and Jill Burrows.