Einar Karason (b. 1955) is a novelist and one of the most popular author and scriptwriter of his generation; best known for his Devils’ Isle trilogy which was adapted into a popular stage play and made into a film. Several of his novels have been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize and he has been awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize. Foreign publishers showed tremendous interest in his novel Storm Birds (2018), and the rights have been sold in over 15 countries.

Einar Karason sat on the board of the Writer’s Union of Iceland from 1984 to 1986, was vice-chairman from 1986 to 1988 and chairman from 1988 to 1992. As chairman of the Writer’s Union, he sat on the boards of among others The Federation of Icelandic Artists and The Icelandic Association on Books. He has been one of the board members of the Reykjavík International Literary Festival since 1985.

“He is an Icelandic Erskine Caldwell or William Faulkner
– Karason is a genial storyteller, and has already won himself a
place in the literary history of Iceland and the Nordic countries.”
BOKEN MAGAZINE, BO AXELSSON

“Mature writing talent and a rare honour in our time.”
FRETTABLADID DAILY

AWARDS

2020 – The International Literature Prize of Stockholm House of Culture & City Theatre (Kulturhuset Stadsteatern): Stormfuglar (Storm Birds)
2008 – The Icelandic Literature Prize: Ofsi (Fury)
2008 – The Icelandic Bookseller’s Award: Ofsi (Fury). As the best novel of the year
2004 – DV Cultural Prize for Literature: Stormur (Storm)
2003 – National Broadcasting Service Writer’s Fund
1986 – DV Cultural Prize for Literature: Gulleyjan (Isle of Gold)

NOMINATIONS

2003 – The Icelandic Literature Prize: Stormur (Storm)
1996 – The Nordic Council’s Literature Prize: Heimskra manna ráð (The Wisdome of Fools) and Kvikasilfur (Quicksilver)
1994 – The Icelandic Literature Prize: Kvikasilfur (Quicksilver)
1989 – The Icelandic Literature Prize: Fyrirheitna landið (The Promised land)
1987 – The Nordic Council’s Literature Prize: Gulleyjan (Isle of Gold)