Eirikur Orn Norddahl

(b.1978) is one of the most prolific and versatile writers in modern Icelandic literature. Lovers of avant-garde poetry, both at home and abroad, know him for his experimental exploring of boundaries with tangible poetry, digital poetry and spoken-word happenings. His books have been published in over a dozen languages. Eirikur made his début with the poetry collection Heilagt stríð – runnið undan rifjum drykkjumanna (Jihad – Initiated by Drinkers) which he published himself in 50 copies in 2001. A year erlier he had published three short stories, each in a booklet. Eirikur’ first novel was published in 2004, titled Hugsjónadruslan (The Ideal Slut). Since then, Eirikur has sent forward more books of poetry, as well as novels. His poetry has also appeared in collections and magazines in Iceland and abroad.

Eirikur was awarded The Icelandic Literary Prize and The Icelandic Bookseller’s Prize for his novel Evil, as well as being nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize. When Evil came out in France in 2015 it was shortlisted for the Prix Médicis Étranger, the Prix Meilleur Livre Étranger and received the Transfuge award for Best Nordic Fiction.

Eirikur has translated over a dozen books into Icelandic, including a selection of Allen Ginsberg’s poetry and Jonathan Lethem’s Motherless Brooklyn, for which he received the Icelandic Translator’s Prize in 2008. He has also written articles about literature and social issues for newspapers, magazines and radio.
Eirikur lives in Isafjördur, Iceland, and spends much of his time in Västerås, Sweden, a town by a lake.
norddahl.org

“A very, very important author has emerged.”
LIVRES HEBDO, FRANCE

“Norddahl is a virtuoso.”
MARIE CLAIRE, FRANCE

“The best book of the year.”
ATHENS VOICE, GREECE (on Evil)

“Eirikur Orn Norddahl is an insightful rogue, brimming with ideas, zeal and boiling passion.”
JYLLANDSPOSTEN, DENMARK

“When Eirikur Orn Norddahl writes a novel, you have to hold on to your hat. It is full of a tremendous pressure and enormous power which sucks the reader in.”
SVERIGES RADIO, SWEDEN

“Norddahl is a complete genius.”
DV DAILY, ICELAND

AWARDS

2020 – The Sparibollinn Romance Prize: Brúin yfir Tangagötuna (The Bridge Over Point Road – A Love Story)
2017 – DV Cultural Prize for Literature: Óratorrek: ljóð um samfélagsleg málefni (Oralorium: A poem about enterprise and efficiency)
2017 – The Transfuge Prize as the best Nordic novel in France: Heimska (Stupidity)
2015 – The Transfuge Magazine Prize (Prix Transfuge) for the best Scandinavian novel in French translation: Illska (Evil)
2013 – The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize: Illska (Evil)
2012 – The Icelandic Literary Prize: Illska (Evil)
2010 – ZEBRA Poetry Film Festival, Berlin. Special Mention: For Höpöhöpö Böks (poetry film)
2010 – Fjölís Award
2008 – The Icelandic Translator’s Award: Móðurlaus Brooklyn (Motherless Brooklyn) by Jonathan Lethem
2007 – Rauða fjöðrin (The Red Feather), stylistic award from Krummi reading society
2006 – Ljóðstafur Jóns úr Vör. Special Mention: For the poem Parabólusetning

NOMINATIONS

2023 – The Icelandic Literary Prize: Náttúrulögmálin (The Natural Laws)
2022 – The Icelandic Literary Prize 2022, for Children and Young People’s Books: Frankensleikir (Franken Claus)
2022 – The Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize: Frankensleikir (Franken Claus)
2015 – The Prix Médicis Étranger, France: Illska (Evil)
2015 – Nominated for the Prix du meilleur roman étranger, France: Illska (Evil)
2015 – The DV Cultural Prize for Drama: Mávurinn (The Seagull), co-nominated with the cast
2013 – The Nordic Council Literature Prize: Illska (Evil)