(1925-2011) is considered the leading innovator in modern Icelandic literature. He published around 25 books in Icelandic: novels, short stories, poetry, travel books, and essays, besides three monographies on painters. His books have been translated widely into all the Nordic languages, and other languages as well such as English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. Vilhjalmsson received the prestigious Nordic Council Literature Prize in 1988 for his novel The Grey Moss Glows. He has long held a leading role in the cultural life of Iceland.

“Discovering Vilhjalmsson is an absolute must; he is a great author, and it is irrelevant whether or not he is Icelandic.”
INROCKUPTIBLES

AWARDS

Honorary lifetime artist’s stipend, bestowed by parliament
Honorary member of the Reykjavík Judo Federation
Honorary citizen of Rocamadour, France
1999 – Karen Blixen-medaljen
1998 – Named Officier de l´Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (A Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government
1998 – The Icelandic Literature Prize: Morgunþula í stráum (Morning’s Song in Blades of Grass)
1992 – The Swedish Academy Nordic Literature Prize
1989 – Grande Ufficiale del Ordo Merito de la Republica d’Italia. For his work in service of Italian culture in Iceland.
1989 – Named Chevalier de l´Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (A Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government
1988 – Honorary member of the Icelandic Writers’ Union
1988 – The Nordic Council’s Literature Prize: Grámosinn glóir (The Grey Moss Glows)
1987 – The DV Cultural Prize for literature: Grámosinn glóir
1984 – The DV Cultural Prize for literature: for his translation of La condition humaine (Hlutskipti manns) by André Malraux
1968 – The National Broadcasting Service’s Authors’ Fund

NOMINATIONS

1994 – The Icelandic Literature Prize: Tvílýsi (Dual Light)
1989 – The Icelandic Literature Prize: Náttvíg (A Killing at Night)
1978 – The Nordic Council’s Literature Prize: Mánasigð (Moon’s Sicle)
1977 – The Nordic Council’s Literature Prize: Fuglaskottís (A Birds’ Schottische)
1971 – The Nordic Council’s Literature Prize: Fljótt, fljótt sagði fuglinn (Quickly, Quickly Said the Bird)