Thorarinn Eldjarn (b.1949) is one of Icelands’s leading writers today. He is a poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright and translator. He describes his subject as “man in the past and the present”. Eldjarn’s works have won awards, both in Iceland and abroad. Among Eldjarn’s translations are works by August Strindberg, Erlend Loe and Lewis Carroll.

 

THE BLUE TOWER

(Brotahöfuđ, 1996)

Shortlisted for the European Aristeion Literary Award

Nomination for the Nordic Council Literary Prize

Nomination for the IMPAC Literary Award 1999

 

Sold to: UK (Mare’s Nest), Germany (Steidl), Finland (Like)

 

A brilliantly written novel, set in Iceland and Denmark in the 17^th century, based on the real-life story of Gudmundur Andresson, who provoked and outraged Iceland’s spiritual and secular authorities. Accused of encouraging immorality, he was sent to prison in Copenhagen’s notorious Blue Tower.

Andresson is probably the only prisoner who has managed to “escape” from there, which he did when he accidentally fell through the bars of is cell window, to the astonishment of an aristocratic couple who were copulating inside a room below. This dramatic entrance drew the king’s attention to Andresson’s case, and in the end the charges against him were dropped.

A historical novel, timeless and universal and applicable to the present day. It describes the oppression of an almost totaliterian society and, above all, the nepotism of such a society.

 

 

“A very interesting Icelandic novel … a lively chronicle of impish, often sardonic resistance to tyranny in all forms (with special emphasis on sexual hypocrisy) and an appealing portrait of a “natural man” who’s reminiscent of (perhaps modeled on) Selma Lagerlof’s immortal Gosta Berling. Splendid and highly entertaining. – Kirkus Review

 

“Gripping saga … insistently memorable and intensely real.” – Publisher’s Weekly

 

“The Blue Tower is picaresque … serious … entertaining. However one chooses to approach the novel, Eldjarn’s language runs through the mid like a clear stream, shimmering with vitality.” – DV newspaper

 

“A minor miracle … The Blue Tower is a masterpiece.” – Althydubladid newspaper

 

“Eldjarn’s story is exceptionally well written, with a clever construction and rich vocabulary which create a convincing historical impression.

Although the story is written with the care and seriousness that its subject demands, the author’s deft, light style is decisive in ensuring that it never becomes ponderous – on the contrary. The plot progresses well and many of the characters are extremely well drawn.” – Morgunbladid newspaper