The Icelandic Literary Prize was announced yesterday and we are proud to say that three of our authors were awarded the prize; Steinunn Sigurdardottir in the Fiction category and Gunnar Helgason (text) and Rán Flygenring (illustrations) in the Children’s category.
Lavaland by Steinunn Sigurdardottir:
From the Jury of the Icelandic Literary Prize:
Lavaland is a substantive story despite the book not being particularly long. The subject is love in all its varied forms, but also loss, connection and disconnection, whether with oneself or others, one’s environment and nature. The protagonist’s journey frames the narrative, which simultaneously becomes her inner journey and a reckoning with life. There is much simmering beneath the surface, like nature preparing to erupt and the journey’s destination is the cherished family cottage, which is about to fall prey to the forces of nature. Steinunn weaves a nuanced tapestry of text that captivates the reader from the beginning; the story is touching, and the emotions linger long after the reading is done. What is left unsaid is often as revealing as what is said, and, as in Steinunn’s previous works, playful irony mixes with the vivid poetic characteristic of the text. Although Lavaland is in some ways an apocalyptic story, beauty prevails, and that is what remains most firmly imprinted on the reader’s mind.
Do Not Kill! by Gunnar Helgason (text) and Rán Flygenring (illustrations)
From the Jury of the Icelandic Literary Prize:
In this third book in the series about Alexander, big questions are tackled as indicated by the title. The story, which focuses on war conflicts, sorrow, and loss, revolves around Alexander’s new friend, Vola from Ukraine. These complex issues are addressed with humor and warmth, where the child’s perspective leads the way, making the reader an active participant in Alexander’s reflections. The story effectively intertwines an international event and its impact on the lives of ordinary people in the conflict zone and back home in Iceland. Despite the gravely serious subject matter, the story is characterized by a sparkling joy of storytelling, which is further enhanced by Rán Flygenring’s lively illustrations. Like the previous books in the series, the cast of characters is diverse and colorful, and the plot is exciting. Do Not Kill! is a book written with an understanding of the world of children and respect for the diversity of human life. It does not necessarily provide definitive answers to all questions but certainly offers lively conversations between children and adults reading it together.
