We’re excited to announce that the nominations for both the prestigious Icelandic Literary Prize and the Blood Drop, Iceland’s esteemed Crime Fiction Award, have been released. It’s a great honor to see a significant number of our RLA authors on the nominee list. Below, you can find the list of nominees from RLA along with comments from the jury.
Nominations for the Icelandic Literary Prize: Fiction
Vilborg Davidsdottir, The Land of Night
A well written, engrossing and interesting book. Research pays off in vivid descriptions of the culture, travels and ways of life of people in the 10th Century that fascinates the reader. Vilborg draws from the well of Icelandic sagas and The Land of Night can be described as the crown upon the author’s particularly high-quality work over the past decades.
Eirikur Orn Norddahl: The Natural Laws
A novel full of humour and written with great eloquence. The story is characterised by exuberant storytelling, stylistic artistry and an original plot. Despite the vigour and lightness the story tackles big philosophical questions which results in a substantial and remarkable novel.”
Steinunn Sigurdardottir: Shelter
A complex, impervious and gripping story of destiny. Deep sorrow and sense of loss is described with a unique sensitivity and artistry. The characterisation in particularly successful and the bond between man and nature described in an interesting way. The characters‘ turbulent emotions are reflected in the forces of nature when painful secrets are revealed.
Nominations for the Icelandic Literary Prize: Children’s
Gunnar Helgason and Ran Flygenring illustrator: Do Not Kill!
A wonderfully funny, sincere and moving story that plays on the whole scale of emotions. The story, which effortlessly deals with modern issues, is illustrated in an entertaining way, easy to read, and the author‘s characterisation is unique.
Saever Helgi Bragason and Elias Runi illustrator: Natural Disasters on Earth
A witty and informative book about the impact of natural disasters, like the creation of the Moon and the Earth, the evolution of oxygen and the fate of the dinosaurs. An exceptionally well-illustrated narrative that encourages reflection on the fate of the Earth and whether we can still have any influence on it.
Nominations for the Blood Drop, the Icelandic Crime Fiction Award
Arnaldur Indridason, State of Mysery
A tremendous plot where threads of corruption in the solving of an old murder case interweave with the suspicion of the Cold War years and a modern-day murder. Descriptions of society and surroundings are effective and the characterisation is outstanding.
Skuli Sigurdsson, The Man from São Paulo
An innovative story where historical events and real people from the biggest conflict in the last century is intertwined with Icelandic society in the 70s. The author is thorough and the story is believable even though the plot progression is unfamiliar. A thrilling and gripping tale, that the reader can scarcely put down until the mystery is solved.
