Halldór Laxness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Halldór Laxness
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| Born | Halldór Guðjónsson 23 April 1902 Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Died | 8 February 1998 (aged 95) Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Nationality | Icelandic |
| Notable awards | Nobel Prize in Literature 1955 |
| Spouses |
Ingibjörg Einarsdóttir
(m. 1930–1940)Auður Sveinsdóttir
(m. 1945–1998) |
Halldór Kiljan Laxness (born Halldór Guðjónsson; 23 April 1902 – 8 February 1998) was a famous writer from Iceland. He won the important Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955.
Laxness wrote many different types of books. These included novels, poems, newspaper articles, and plays. He was inspired by other great writers like Ernest Hemingway and Sigmund Freud.
Contents
Growing Up in Iceland
Halldór Guðjónsson was born in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, in 1902. When he was three years old, his family moved to a farm called Laxnes. This farm was in a parish called Mosfellssveit.
He loved to read and write stories from a very young age. He even had an article published in a newspaper called Morgunblaðið in 1916. His first novel, Barn náttúrunnar (which means Child of Nature), came out in 1919. By then, he had already started traveling around Europe.
Travels and New Ideas
In 1922, Halldór went to a monastery in Clervaux, Luxembourg. Here, he learned a lot by himself. He studied French, Latin, and philosophy.
In 1923, he joined the Catholic Church. He changed his last name to Laxness, after the farm where he grew up. He also added the name Kiljan, which is an Irish saint's name.
Laxness wrote about his time at the monastery in an essay and in two novels. One of these novels, Vefarinn mikli frá Kasmír (The Great Weaver from Kashmir), was praised by critics.
His religious period did not last long. From 1927 to 1929, he lived in the United States. He gave talks about Iceland and tried to write movies for Hollywood.
During this time, he became interested in socialism. He saw many people struggling to find work. This made him believe that society needed to change. He wrote a book of essays called Alþýðubókin (The Book of the People) in 1929. This book mixed socialist ideas with a strong sense of Icelandic identity.
Becoming a Leading Writer
By the 1930s, Laxness was a very important writer for young Icelanders. He started writing a series of novels that often explored socialist ideas. This was a very successful time in his career.
His novel Salka Valka (published in two parts in 1931–32) was the start of this period. He also published a collection of short stories called Fótatak manna (Steps of Men) in 1933.
Another famous novel was Sjálfstætt fólk (Independent People), published in 1934 and 1935. Many people consider it one of the best books of the 20th century. When Salka Valka was translated into English in 1936, a reviewer called it "replete from cover to cover with the beauty of its perfection."
In 1937, Laxness wrote a poem called Maístjarnan (The May Star). It was set to music and became a popular socialist song.
He then wrote a four-part novel called Heimsljós (World Light). This story was based on the life of a minor Icelandic poet. Many critics believe it is his most important work.
Laxness also visited the Soviet Union and wrote positively about its system. He even wrote a book about his experiences there.
Important Works of the 1940s
In 1941, Laxness translated Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms into Icelandic. This caused some discussion because he used many new words.
His major historical novel, Íslandsklukkan (Iceland's Bell), was published between 1943 and 1946. This three-part story is about Iceland's national identity and its history under colonial rule. It shows the strong will of the Icelandic people.
In 1946, the English translation of Independent People became very popular in the United States. It sold over 450,000 copies.
In 1948, Laxness built his house, Gljúfrasteinn, near where he grew up. He started a new family with his second wife, Auður Sveinsdóttir. She also helped him with his work as his secretary and business manager.
After the United States set up a military base in Keflavík, Iceland, Laxness wrote a satire called Atómstöðin (The Atom Station). This book looked at how Reykjavík changed after the war. It was so important that many people called it the "Reykjavík Novel."
Winning the Nobel Prize
In the early 1950s, Laxness received several awards. He won the Lenin Peace Prize in 1952 and a literary prize from the World Peace Council in 1953.
His novel Salka Valka was made into a Swedish film in 1954.
In 1955, Halldór Laxness won the Nobel Prize in Literature. The award was given to him "for his vivid epic power, which has renewed the great narrative art of Iceland."
When he accepted the Nobel Prize, Laxness spoke about the lessons his grandmother taught him. She told him "never to harm a living creature" and "to place the poor, the humble, the meek of this world above all others."
After the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Laxness became less supportive of the Soviet Union.
In 1957, Halldór and his wife traveled around the world. They visited many cities, including New York City, Beijing, and Rome.
Some of his major works from this time include Gerpla (The Happy Warriors or Wayward Heroes, 1952) and Brekkukotsannáll (The Fish Can Sing, 1957).
Later Life and Legacy
In the 1960s, Laxness was very involved in Icelandic theater. He wrote and produced plays. One of his most successful plays was The Pigeon Banquet (Dúfnaveislan, 1966).
In 1968, he published a novel called Kristnihald undir Jökli (Under the Glacier). In the 1970s, he wrote "essay novels" like Innansveitarkronika (A Parish Chronicle, 1970).
Laxness received the Sonning Prize in 1969. In 1970, he wrote an important essay about the environment called Hernaðurinn gegn landinu (The War Against the Land).
He continued to write essays and memoirs into the 1980s. As he got older, he developed Alzheimer's disease. He passed away at the age of 95.
Family and Lasting Impact
Halldór Laxness was married twice. He had four children. His daughter, Guðný Halldórsdóttir, is a filmmaker. She adapted her father's novel Kristnihald undir jōkli into a film in 1989. Another one of her films was considered for an Academy Award. Guðný's son, Halldór Laxness Halldórsson, is also a writer, actor, and poet.
Laxness's house, Gljúfrasteinn, is now a museum run by the Icelandic government. Visitors can learn about his life and work there.
In the 21st century, more people in English-speaking countries have become interested in Laxness's books. Many of his novels have been re-released, and some were translated into English for the first time.
A book about his life, The Islander: A Biography of Halldór Laxness, won an Icelandic literary prize in 2004.
Many plays based on Laxness's work have been performed in Iceland. There is also a special award called the Halldór Laxness International Literary Prize. It is given out every two years at the Reykjavík International Literary Festival.
Images for kids
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Halldór Kiljan Laxness in 1955
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Halldór Laxness by Einar Hákonarson, 1984
See also
In Spanish: Halldór Laxness para niños
