Literature
Icelandic culture is deeply rooted in literature. The Icelandic Sagas, written in the 12th and 13th centuries, are among the country's most significant contributions to world culture (see on theright). The average home in Iceland has a good selection of books. Halldór Laxness is the favourite author of many Icelanders. He won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1955 and his novels have been translated into many languages. More titles are published in Iceland per capita than anywhere else.
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After the collapse of the Icelandic Commonwealth (930-1262) in the late 13th century, Icelandic literature gradually declined and did not revive until the 19th century, except for a brief spell in the 17th century, dominated by the brilliant hymn writer Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674), whose Hymns of the Passion have appeared in over 50 editions, a record for Icelandic publishing.
The Romantic movement of the 19th crentury produced a long line of very fine poets who celebrated the glorious past of the Commonwealth and the natural beauties of the Icelandic landscape, charging the ancient language with new vigour and urging people to awake to a new age of hope and brighter prospects.
The first modern novels in Iceland were written about the middle of the 19th century and these were followed in the early 20th century by many fine novelists, culminating in Halldór Laxness (1902-1998), who was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1955.
In poetry the 19th century tradition was not seriously broken until after World War II, when young poets introduced a radically new way of expressing the poetic vision, that was freer in form, more subtle and introverted.
Icelandic literature is currently flourishing. Many books, non-fiction, fiction and poetry, are published every year and the increased presentation of Icelandic authors abroadhas resulted in more widespread translations of their works into various languages.
Source: Country and People, Iceland Review, Reykjavík 1998.
