Items related to The Islander: A Biography of Halldór Laxness
Halldór Laxness won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1955. During his life, which spanned nearly the entire century, he not only wrote sixty books, but also became an active participant in Europe's idealistic debates and struggles.
In the 1930s, Laxness became attracted to Soviet communism. He travelled widely in the Soviet Bloc and, despite witnessing some atrocities, remained a defender of communism until the 1960s. But his political leanings never dominated his work. Laxness continually sought to divulge the world of beauty that lurks beneath the everyday, ensuring his artistry remained a sanctuary of humanism and reflection.
In this biography, Guðmundsson has been granted access to unique material by Laxness' family. As a result, the interrelationships between Laxness' personal life, his politics and his career are meticulously examined. What emerges is a grand description of a fascinating personality in which the manifold conflicts of the 20th century are mirrored.
'Laxness is a writer of the first degree, a writer I dreamed of coming close to' - Boris Pasternak, 1960
'When in a bad mood I have picked one of your books. And there the pure and deep sound has welcomed me, strong and charming from the first page' - Karen Blixen in an open letter to Laxness in 1952
In the 1930s, Laxness became attracted to Soviet communism. He travelled widely in the Soviet Bloc and, despite witnessing some atrocities, remained a defender of communism until the 1960s. But his political leanings never dominated his work. Laxness continually sought to divulge the world of beauty that lurks beneath the everyday, ensuring his artistry remained a sanctuary of humanism and reflection.
In this biography, Guðmundsson has been granted access to unique material by Laxness' family. As a result, the interrelationships between Laxness' personal life, his politics and his career are meticulously examined. What emerges is a grand description of a fascinating personality in which the manifold conflicts of the 20th century are mirrored.
'Laxness is a writer of the first degree, a writer I dreamed of coming close to' - Boris Pasternak, 1960
'When in a bad mood I have picked one of your books. And there the pure and deep sound has welcomed me, strong and charming from the first page' - Karen Blixen in an open letter to Laxness in 1952
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About the Author:
Halldór Gu?mundsson studied literature at the University of Iceland and then at the University of Copenhagen. He has written extensively about Iceland's literature and its history
Review:
To read him is to discover an extra tastebud. He creates a world that belongs in another dimension, like the landscape of his country - familiar, strange, seen as in a dream. It is an endearing and unforgettable voice, and we must tip our hats to Gu?mundsson for setting it in context - Daily Telegraph―Daily Telegraph
?. The author's life is vividly recounted ? detailed chapters and powerful quotes allow for an honest assessment of the author's career - Sunday Herald.―Sunday Herald
?. The author's life is vividly recounted ? detailed chapters and powerful quotes allow for an honest assessment of the author's career - Sunday Herald.―Sunday Herald
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherQuercus
- Publication date2008
- ISBN 10 1847242847
- ISBN 13 9781847242846
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages486
- Rating
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Book Description hardcover. Condition: Good. A nice hardcover with clean pages. Dust jacket has light wear. 2004 copyright; 2008 English translation copyright. Booksavers receives donated books and recycles them in a variety of ways. Proceeds benefit the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in the U.S. and around the world. Seller Inventory # mon0000275947
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