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Halldór Laxness – ævisaga
Halldór Laxness hafði frá unga aldri ómótstæðilega löngun til að sigra heiminn. Og í lífi sínu og verkum endurspeglar hann öldina sem hann lifði og lifði sig inn í: Tuttugustu öldina, öld öfganna. Hann er sjálfur merkasti fulltrúi hennar í íslensku samfélagi. Halldór Guðmundsson hefur leitað í bókum, skjala- og bréfasöfnum, hér á landi og erlendis, að heimildum og vitnisburði um viðburðaríkt og þverstæðukennt líf Halldórs Laxness. Myndin sem hann dregur upp af viðfangsefni sínu er fræðandi og skemmtileg en umfram allt ögrandi og óvænt. Íslensk þjóð lét sig frá upphafi varða gerðir og skrif síns mesta rithöfundar. Nú fær hún loks að kynnast manninum sjálfum.
837 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 8, 2013
Let me begin by acknowledging one of my prejudices: I am in love with most things Icelandic. That includes the medieval sagas, the works of Nobel Prize winning novelist (1955) Halldor Laxness, and now also Icelandic detective novels. I have read most of Laxness's work that has been translated into English, which is but a small portion of his total output. His plays, poems, and essays have not made it to the English-speaking world. But, while there is life, there is also hope.
Most authors' biographies depict people who are much snarkier than Laxness. I guess there is something about always being asked the same stupid questions by ignoramuses who don't read that turns many writers inward and encourages them to hand questioners the same old party line.
Laxness, on the other hand, had a strain of emotional nakedness about him that comes out particularly in his letters and essays, which are liberally quoted in this excellent biography by Halldor Gudmundsson. In fact, The Islander: A Biography of Halldór Laxness is probably the best literary biography I have read for many years.
There were two major dead ends in Halldor Laxness's life. First, he was enthralled by Catholicism and spent some time at the Monastery of Clervaux in Luxembourg. That was replaced by another god, one that stayed with him until relatively late in his life, namely Communism. Although Laxness never actually joined the Communist party, he was regarded by many as being a fellow traveller. This caused his considerable pain during much of his life, especially when he was attacked by the Rightist press in Iceland, the United States, and elsewhere.
Curiously, in his declining years, Laxness returned to Catholicism.
In the end, in 1981, he told a Swedish interviewer, "I am a storyteller. God protect me from saving the world."
What kind of storyteller was Halldor Laxness? It is possible that some people who are reading this review have never heard of the Icelandic writer, whose years spanned all but a few years of the turbulent Twentieth Century. He is that rarest of contemporary writers, a crafter of epics. His Independent People (1934-1935), Iceland's Bell (1943-1946), and World Light (1937-1940) are among the greatest works of fiction written within the last hundred years. That tiny little island in the North Atlantic, situated somewhere between Norway and Greenland, has a thousand-year-old literary tradition that makes the inhabitants naturally turn to the epic mode.
Even if you do not have the burning interest in Iceland that I have, I urge everyone who loves literature to give Laxness a chance. So what if his books are long? Just give up reading some trashy genre novels for a few weeks, and you will not be disappointed.
Most authors' biographies depict people who are much snarkier than Laxness. I guess there is something about always being asked the same stupid questions by ignoramuses who don't read that turns many writers inward and encourages them to hand questioners the same old party line.
Laxness, on the other hand, had a strain of emotional nakedness about him that comes out particularly in his letters and essays, which are liberally quoted in this excellent biography by Halldor Gudmundsson. In fact, The Islander: A Biography of Halldór Laxness is probably the best literary biography I have read for many years.
There were two major dead ends in Halldor Laxness's life. First, he was enthralled by Catholicism and spent some time at the Monastery of Clervaux in Luxembourg. That was replaced by another god, one that stayed with him until relatively late in his life, namely Communism. Although Laxness never actually joined the Communist party, he was regarded by many as being a fellow traveller. This caused his considerable pain during much of his life, especially when he was attacked by the Rightist press in Iceland, the United States, and elsewhere.
Curiously, in his declining years, Laxness returned to Catholicism.
In the end, in 1981, he told a Swedish interviewer, "I am a storyteller. God protect me from saving the world."
What kind of storyteller was Halldor Laxness? It is possible that some people who are reading this review have never heard of the Icelandic writer, whose years spanned all but a few years of the turbulent Twentieth Century. He is that rarest of contemporary writers, a crafter of epics. His Independent People (1934-1935), Iceland's Bell (1943-1946), and World Light (1937-1940) are among the greatest works of fiction written within the last hundred years. That tiny little island in the North Atlantic, situated somewhere between Norway and Greenland, has a thousand-year-old literary tradition that makes the inhabitants naturally turn to the epic mode.
Even if you do not have the burning interest in Iceland that I have, I urge everyone who loves literature to give Laxness a chance. So what if his books are long? Just give up reading some trashy genre novels for a few weeks, and you will not be disappointed.
July 10, 2023
hann er auðvitað eina nóbelsskáld okkar Íslendinga eins og frægt er orðið, næst verður það DÓRI DNA LAXNESS❤️❤️❤️❤️eða HALLDÓR ARMAND😊😊😊
January 14, 2011
Excellent book! I picked it up this summer on my visit back to Iceland. I have always been curious to learn more about Halldor Laxness given his unique stature among Icelandic writers.
August 27, 2012
This is a fine biography of one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Halldor Laxness was a writer of prodigious energy and vitality, creating some of the most engaging and original characters in literature. His mastery in creating an authentic setting, both cultural, historical and emotional, is unmatched.
Like the characters he created, HKL was dynamic. He embraces different beliefs, ideologies and even dogmas at various times of his life, then distances himself from those tenets he once held dear, and his views on politics and literature undergo constant transformation.
But he was no dilettante: his responses were honestly believed according to what he saw, felt and reflected on at the time. That said, he was a mass of contradictions and self-absorbed to the point of solipsism at times. He was also more than capable of self-delusion and not a little hypocrasy.
The biographer has access to a rich vein of treasures in the form of original documents, letters and interviews with a vast number of people, the most valuable being quotes from HKL himself. He was a constant observer and lifelong critic of Icelandic culture and politics, and observes in 1946:
"We cannot gain the respect of the world with weapons, gold or numbers of inhabitants, or with the recognition of our independence, only with the culture of our nation."
In 1950, on the opening of the National Theatre and the establishment of the Symphony Orchestra of Iceland, HKL told the Artists' Congress:
"Everything that helps to increase the nation's cultural wealth is inexpensive, whether it costs a great deal or not."
This biography would have definitely received five stars had the writer given us more background to each of the great novels. What he did offer us was excellent, but so tantalisingly brief. Perhaps another criticism was the over-detailed accounts of dealings with publishers. That being said, I am so grateful that this book has been written, for it expands our knowledge and appreciation of one of the world's greatest writers, and the historical and cultural forces that helped shape him.
Like the characters he created, HKL was dynamic. He embraces different beliefs, ideologies and even dogmas at various times of his life, then distances himself from those tenets he once held dear, and his views on politics and literature undergo constant transformation.
But he was no dilettante: his responses were honestly believed according to what he saw, felt and reflected on at the time. That said, he was a mass of contradictions and self-absorbed to the point of solipsism at times. He was also more than capable of self-delusion and not a little hypocrasy.
The biographer has access to a rich vein of treasures in the form of original documents, letters and interviews with a vast number of people, the most valuable being quotes from HKL himself. He was a constant observer and lifelong critic of Icelandic culture and politics, and observes in 1946:
"We cannot gain the respect of the world with weapons, gold or numbers of inhabitants, or with the recognition of our independence, only with the culture of our nation."
In 1950, on the opening of the National Theatre and the establishment of the Symphony Orchestra of Iceland, HKL told the Artists' Congress:
"Everything that helps to increase the nation's cultural wealth is inexpensive, whether it costs a great deal or not."
This biography would have definitely received five stars had the writer given us more background to each of the great novels. What he did offer us was excellent, but so tantalisingly brief. Perhaps another criticism was the over-detailed accounts of dealings with publishers. That being said, I am so grateful that this book has been written, for it expands our knowledge and appreciation of one of the world's greatest writers, and the historical and cultural forces that helped shape him.
December 30, 2021
"I was devoted to all of it - religion as well - you name it I was devoted to it and took part in all the 'isms'. But what is that now? A drawing on the wall, material for my novels."
I only became acquainted with the work of Halldor Laxness quite recently picking up a second hand copy of The Atom Station on speck. I read it and was gripped. Since then I have picked up any works by him I have found in English. Most recently I read the epic Independent People which I rank as one of the greatest novels I have read.
I am in two minds about reading biographies of writers. Often I feel that I do not need to know anything about the person who has written a book in order to appreciate it. Furthermore, I always worry that if I read about a writer I may be put off by what I learn about them and this may affect how I then approach or think about their work. On top of which I'm just not sure that reading about many writers is that interesting.
The Islander is a recent biography of Halldor Laxness (copies seem to be like gold dust and I waited a year to get a copy at a reasonable price) and it is intricate and detailed to say the least. I'm sure some readers may find the level of detail in places becomes a bit of a drag on the flow of the narrative. However, much of the detail makes sense in providing a foundation for the work.
The biography does a number of things. Primarily it paints a vivid picture of the life of Halldor Laxness and the way his Icelandic background both drove and hampered his art, it also shows clearly how the socio-political world moulded him and in small ways how he moulded it. The book also gives the reader an idea of how Icelandic culture developed and integrated itself with the modern world arguably having an impact greater than might be expected for a country of its size and which was relatively late to develop modern institutions having itself only come relatively recently to independence. Finally the book puts into context the pressures exerted on literary and cultural figures and their work by the political and social turmoil of the twentieth century but from a different angle than the more familiar mainland European narrative.
Having read it I would say Halldor Laxness had a life worthy and needy of a biography. From his precociousness as a child who developed an arrogance that surely drove him to success against the odds, to the period of his life where he almost withdrew to the anonymity of a monastic order only to turn his back on the spiritual to embrace the Soviet Union, Halldor Laxness gives the impression of someone who was long searching for certainties and stability. His early years were fraught with economic instability, it is fortunate he had generous family and friends who were prepared to support him with what little they had despite knowing they would not receive much in return. It was not just financial support he drew on, married twice he was not perhaps the easiest of husbands to be married to, spending much time away from home and preferring a solitary existence in which to write, his absence a constant strain on his wives. For someone who professed and proselytised on behalf of the cause of the USSR Halldor had a distinctly bourgeois personality and materialistic taste but never seemed to have a problem with this himself. Like so many of his generation his support for the Soviet Union was full and solid and rejected criticism of the system established there throughout the Stalin era. His biographer writes he '...bound his hopes to the 'powerful international movement' that had its roots in the Soviet Revolution. For a time it occupied the place in his soul that the Catholic Church had earlier; its "scientific" theories shone with the same certainty as the doctrines of the Carthusians. Halldor's mind wandered between the rebelliousness of independent thinking and the will to surrender to a higher power. And at the same time that he preached narrow-minded politics with religious fervour in his articles, he explored his doubts in fiction'.
Inevitably perhaps Halldors ideological stance led to problems for him both at home and abroad. Active both politically and culturally in Iceland there was a concerted effort, intensified post-war, to undermine and discredit him. Evidence shows the Icelandic political elite working with the USA to try to damage him personally, professionally and financially (although compared to many who suffered under McCarthyism in the USA, Laxness got off lightly). Halldor found himself in the strange position that his work was unacceptable to both East and West as his translator noted regarding The Atom Station which (then) '...has been translated into Danish, German, Czech and Russian, but it has not been printed in the West because of its content, in the East because of its form; all my publishers in the Marshall Aid countries have orders not to print it; but in the East it is considered un-Marxist, a formalist work'. Like many others who felt increasingly betrayed by the reality of the Soviet Union, Halldor Laxness allowed a distance to grow between him and it although his attachment to Russia and Russians remained for longer. His standing remained such that at a party held in honour of his 80th birthday in 1982 it was stated in the address to him that "Laxness often criticizes us, digging at things he does not like - and this makes his friendship even more precious". The man of the world returned to his roots as both his country and he papered over the past while he was groomed for the position of national treasure and Icelander.
In summary this is a very worthwhile read both to understand better Halldor Laxness the writer and the times in which he lived within the Icelandic and Scandinavian context. It also helps to illuminate some of the inspiration for his books which deserve a worldwide readership.
"Last night I was paralysed by the fear of death. I woke up again and again almost screaming with fear at the thought of having to die sometime, and prayed loudly in the darkness. This morbid anguish is the most horrid visitor. And scarcely a day passes when it does not fill my soul for longer or shorter periods of time."
I only became acquainted with the work of Halldor Laxness quite recently picking up a second hand copy of The Atom Station on speck. I read it and was gripped. Since then I have picked up any works by him I have found in English. Most recently I read the epic Independent People which I rank as one of the greatest novels I have read.
I am in two minds about reading biographies of writers. Often I feel that I do not need to know anything about the person who has written a book in order to appreciate it. Furthermore, I always worry that if I read about a writer I may be put off by what I learn about them and this may affect how I then approach or think about their work. On top of which I'm just not sure that reading about many writers is that interesting.
The Islander is a recent biography of Halldor Laxness (copies seem to be like gold dust and I waited a year to get a copy at a reasonable price) and it is intricate and detailed to say the least. I'm sure some readers may find the level of detail in places becomes a bit of a drag on the flow of the narrative. However, much of the detail makes sense in providing a foundation for the work.
The biography does a number of things. Primarily it paints a vivid picture of the life of Halldor Laxness and the way his Icelandic background both drove and hampered his art, it also shows clearly how the socio-political world moulded him and in small ways how he moulded it. The book also gives the reader an idea of how Icelandic culture developed and integrated itself with the modern world arguably having an impact greater than might be expected for a country of its size and which was relatively late to develop modern institutions having itself only come relatively recently to independence. Finally the book puts into context the pressures exerted on literary and cultural figures and their work by the political and social turmoil of the twentieth century but from a different angle than the more familiar mainland European narrative.
Having read it I would say Halldor Laxness had a life worthy and needy of a biography. From his precociousness as a child who developed an arrogance that surely drove him to success against the odds, to the period of his life where he almost withdrew to the anonymity of a monastic order only to turn his back on the spiritual to embrace the Soviet Union, Halldor Laxness gives the impression of someone who was long searching for certainties and stability. His early years were fraught with economic instability, it is fortunate he had generous family and friends who were prepared to support him with what little they had despite knowing they would not receive much in return. It was not just financial support he drew on, married twice he was not perhaps the easiest of husbands to be married to, spending much time away from home and preferring a solitary existence in which to write, his absence a constant strain on his wives. For someone who professed and proselytised on behalf of the cause of the USSR Halldor had a distinctly bourgeois personality and materialistic taste but never seemed to have a problem with this himself. Like so many of his generation his support for the Soviet Union was full and solid and rejected criticism of the system established there throughout the Stalin era. His biographer writes he '...bound his hopes to the 'powerful international movement' that had its roots in the Soviet Revolution. For a time it occupied the place in his soul that the Catholic Church had earlier; its "scientific" theories shone with the same certainty as the doctrines of the Carthusians. Halldor's mind wandered between the rebelliousness of independent thinking and the will to surrender to a higher power. And at the same time that he preached narrow-minded politics with religious fervour in his articles, he explored his doubts in fiction'.
Inevitably perhaps Halldors ideological stance led to problems for him both at home and abroad. Active both politically and culturally in Iceland there was a concerted effort, intensified post-war, to undermine and discredit him. Evidence shows the Icelandic political elite working with the USA to try to damage him personally, professionally and financially (although compared to many who suffered under McCarthyism in the USA, Laxness got off lightly). Halldor found himself in the strange position that his work was unacceptable to both East and West as his translator noted regarding The Atom Station which (then) '...has been translated into Danish, German, Czech and Russian, but it has not been printed in the West because of its content, in the East because of its form; all my publishers in the Marshall Aid countries have orders not to print it; but in the East it is considered un-Marxist, a formalist work'. Like many others who felt increasingly betrayed by the reality of the Soviet Union, Halldor Laxness allowed a distance to grow between him and it although his attachment to Russia and Russians remained for longer. His standing remained such that at a party held in honour of his 80th birthday in 1982 it was stated in the address to him that "Laxness often criticizes us, digging at things he does not like - and this makes his friendship even more precious". The man of the world returned to his roots as both his country and he papered over the past while he was groomed for the position of national treasure and Icelander.
In summary this is a very worthwhile read both to understand better Halldor Laxness the writer and the times in which he lived within the Icelandic and Scandinavian context. It also helps to illuminate some of the inspiration for his books which deserve a worldwide readership.
"Last night I was paralysed by the fear of death. I woke up again and again almost screaming with fear at the thought of having to die sometime, and prayed loudly in the darkness. This morbid anguish is the most horrid visitor. And scarcely a day passes when it does not fill my soul for longer or shorter periods of time."
November 7, 2016
Quite excited to get my hands on this. It's a chronological biography, abridged in translation; don't expect a lot of literary criticism of the works, although there is some. Lots of interesting background detail - guessing Halldor wasn't always the easiest person to know - and feel inspired now to dig out the novels I have but haven't yet read. One or two odd proofreading lapses, or even translation oddities (e.g. having told us that there are no trains in Iceland, describing an Icelandic location as a 16-hour train journey from somewhere else in Iceland - which in British terms is a really long way, but perhaps not what is meant?) Also, a few more pictures would have been nice (e.g. of places such as his house). Enjoyable and informative, and occasionally funny, too.
February 11, 2023
Frábært yfirlit yfir feril Nóbelsskáldsins. Mjög trúverðug umfjöllun þar sem farið er bæði yfir hæðir og lægðir á ferlinum, ekki bara sigra heldur líka ósigra. Sérstaklega góð umfjöllun um pólitísk tengsl HKL við Sovétríkin og eftiráuppgjör hans í Skáldatíma þar sem hann gerir endanlega upp við Stalíntímann en telur sig samt áfram vera sósíalista. Eftir því sem árin liðu dofnaði þessi pólitíska áhersla þótt hann teldi sig samt áfram vera þeim megin í pólitíkinni.
Umfjöllun um skattamál HKL líka mjög góð og ágætt að fá þessa hlið fram. Þarna lenti HKL í tvísköttun, þ.e. bæði í Bandaríkjunum og á Íslandi fyrir sömu tekjur. Skattamálin lyktuðu svolítið af pólitík, alla vega framan af, en á endanum náðist að lenda þeim með eðlilegum hætti.
Gæti haft miklu fleiri orð um bókina en læt þetta nægja. Ítreka bara að mér fannst þetta mjög góð umfjöllun og svara mörgum spurningum á mjög trúverðugan hátt.
Umfjöllun um skattamál HKL líka mjög góð og ágætt að fá þessa hlið fram. Þarna lenti HKL í tvísköttun, þ.e. bæði í Bandaríkjunum og á Íslandi fyrir sömu tekjur. Skattamálin lyktuðu svolítið af pólitík, alla vega framan af, en á endanum náðist að lenda þeim með eðlilegum hætti.
Gæti haft miklu fleiri orð um bókina en læt þetta nægja. Ítreka bara að mér fannst þetta mjög góð umfjöllun og svara mörgum spurningum á mjög trúverðugan hátt.
December 22, 2021
Frábær bók um ævi og bókmenntaferil snillingsins frá Laxnesi. Bókin er heiðarlega skrifuð fjallar vel um bækur skáldsins og dregur ekkert undan þegar hann víkur af leið.
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