Thórunn Valdimarsdóttir
Bárugötu 5, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, Europe
phones 354 552 7836 / 354 699 1271
e-mail: thorvald@islandia.is
homepage: http://islandia.is/thorvald/index.html
curriculum vitae
Born 250854, raised in Reykjavík, studied history at the University Lund Sweden 1973-74 and art and history in Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato Mexico 1977-78. Cand. mag. in history from the University of Iceland 1983. Has since been engaged in writing. Author of 17 miscellaneous books: history of Reykjavík (1870-1950); theater history (1900-1950); church history (19th century); historical biography (18th -19th century - see review in L'Atelier de Roman 1992 by Rafnsson) and biography (20th century). Two books of poetry, six novels (see review in World Literature Today summer 1995 and summer 1998) and manus for radio and TV, including docudrama.
Nominations and prizes for literature:
Nominated for the Icelandic literature prize for:
SNORRI FROM HÚSAFELL - AN 18th CENTURY SAGA. Almenna bókafélagiđ 1989. Paperback: Mál og menning 1992.
First prize in Bjart's and Mrs. Emelía'a competition of micro short stories:
Örsögur í BJARTI OG FRÚ EMELÍU 1, 1992.
Nominated for the DV cultural prize:
ALVEG NÓG. (Quite enough.) Forlagiđ 1997.
Received the DV cultural prize for the nistorical novel: STÚLKA MEĐ FINGUR. (Girl with a finger.) Forlagiđ 1999.
Nominated to the Icelandic literature prize:
KRISTNI Á ÍSLANDI. (Christianity in Iceland) One of 5 main authors in this 4 volume edition. History. Alţingi 2000.
Nominated for the Nordic literature prize 2000 for the nistorical novel: STÚLKA MEĐ FINGUR. (Girl with a finger.) Forlagiđ 1999. Pulbished in Swedish: FLICKA MED FINGER. PublishAmerica 2004.
Nominated to the Icelandic Literature Prize and the Hagthenkir (Scientific Writer's Union) literature prize. Received the Bibliogapher Union's Prize as best book of the year:
UPP Á SIGURHĆĐIR. SAGA MATTHÍASAR JOCHUMSSONAR. History. JPV útgáfa 2006.
Nominated to the Icelandic Literature Prize for the crime-novel:
KALT ER ANNARS BLÓĐ. / OTHERS BLOOD IS COLD. Forlagiđ 2007.
EXCERPTS FROM old REVIEWS:
HÖFUĐSKEPNUR. ÁSTARBRÉFAŢJÓNUSTA. / HEADBEASTS: A LOVELETTER - SERVICE. A novel. Forlagiđ 1994.
- Dagsljós: Three stars. Ţröstur Helgason.
- Dagblađiđ: "Thórunn's book is excellent." Sigríđur Albertsdóttir.
- Morgunblađiđ: "This novel is in almost every aspect a great success." Einar Falur.
World Literature Today summer 1995: "Headbeasts is a remarkable, unusual and somewhat provocative book. With extraordinary eloquence the author tests the boundaries of morality and challenges our views on love and sex, as she explores the relationship between author and reader and comments on the role of literary art in society." Kirsten Wolf.
ALVEG NÓG. / QUITE ENOUGH. A novel. Forlagiđ 1997.
- Dagblađiđ: "Thórunn's best book so far ... every word is perfectly placed. En eerie sence of danger accumulates and hits the reader right in the heart. The author carries the themes of the book across by creating a magnificent and powerful main characther, and writes a beautiful, elaborate and lyric style." Sigríđur Albertsdóttir.
- Morgunblađiđ: "The author uses a clear and economic style and never loses the pace the whole book through. The structure of the story is beautiful and well designed and the narrative powerful in it's simplicity, marked by cunning wit. It is the hallmark of a good story when the reader senses pain and joy as strongly as here, especially when the general feel of the book is so quiet." Jóhanna Kristjónsdóttir.
- verđlaunanefnd DV: "An exciting and dramatic novel... a strong sence of compassion marks the narrative, that is tragic and boiling with contentment at the same time. Guilt, innosence, high hopes and dispair - are intvervoven with such insight that it makes for a convincing and cathcing story of a contemporary woman trying to find fulfillment."
- Jón Baldvin Hannibalsson, Icelandic ambassador in the US, an extract from a letter to the author: "The novel is a delicacy - a delicate web made of interesting substance ... The humour is innovative and the style highly original. You have become a first class novelist. Thank you!"
- Tímarit Máls og Menningar: "Quite Enough is an exceptionally well written book. The story is woven from the very emotional substance that makes us human. The charater of Godrún is very well sketched, she has all the flesh and blood we don´t find too often in novels." Súsanna Svavarsdóttir.
- World Literature Today, summer 1998: "Openness, honesty and human insight characterize the tale of Godrún's relationships and the loss of her child. Yet it is Thórunn Valdimarsdóttir's mastery of suspense techniques that makes Quite Enough hold the reader's enthusiastic attention until the final page." Kirsten Wolf.
SNORRI Á HÚSAFELLI. SAGA FRÁ 18. ÖLD. / SNORRI FROM HÚSAFELL. AN 18TH. CENTRURY SAGA. Historical biography. Almenna bókafélagiđ 1989. Paperback: Mál og menning 1992.
- Saga. Tímarit Sögufélags, 1990: "With her book on Snorri Thórunn Valdimarsdóttir has enriched icelandic history with an original and highly entertaining piece.... Thórunn has written a book that differs markedly from all previous icelandic historical biography - making an elaborate historical research an highly entertaining reading. I am convinced that Snorri from Húsafell will be one of the history books that posterity will cherish." Loftur Guttormsson.
- L'Atelier du Roman, 1992: "Dans son livre, Thórunn Valdimarsdóttir réussit un pari difficile. Elle utilise son talent et sa formation d'historienne pour retracer la vie de Snorri de Húsafell (ŕ travers des histoires sur lui, des documents, ses écrits, etc.) mais en męme temps elle viole toutes les rčgles de l'čcriture historique: ells se glisse dans la peau des gens de l'époque, elle écrit des dialogues, des pensées, des descriptions tout ŕ fait librement, et c'ést une réussite. Une réussite du point de vue esthetique et du
point de vue commercial, car le livre connaît un grand succčs ici." Friđrik Rafnsson.
ALDARSAGA. Leikfélag Reykjavíkur 1897-1997. Fyrri hluti, 1897-1950. / A CENTENARY SAGA. The story of Reykjavík's Theatre. Mál og menning 1997.
- Dagblađiđ: "... Ţórunn has the vision that characterizes the work of excellent historians." Ármann Jakobsson.
FICTION:
Poetry in magazines:
- "Aldarlok." Bjartur og frú Emilía. 12. 3. 1993.
- "Engill međ skott." Tímarit Máls og meinningar. 1998.
- "Ljóđ bak viđ ljóđ." - "Hold í morgunsáriđ." - "Óp engissprettunnar."
- "Morgunvíma." Tímarit Máls og menningar. 50. 2. 1989.
- "Tíminn háđskur." - "Gamlir hundar." Andvari. 114. Nýr flokkur. xxxi. 1989.
- "Ćttjarđarţula." Tímarit Máls og menningar. 46. 4. 1985.
Poetry in anthologies:
NÝMĆLI. LJÓĐ UNGSKÁLDA. Iđunn 1987.
LJÓĐAÁRBÓK 1988. Almenna bókafélagiđ l988.
VÖRĐUR. Ljóđasafn RSÍ, 1993.
LÍFIĐ SJÁLFT. Happdrćtti SÍBS, 1996.
GULLREGN ÚR ÁSTARLJÓĐUM ÍSLENSKRA KVENNA. Mál og menning & Forlagiđ, 1996.
PERLUR ÚR LJÓĐUM ÍSLENSKRA KVENNA. Harpa 1998.
KONAN. Maddama, kerling, fröken, frú. Poetry and sculptures Sigurjón Ólafssons Art Gallery 23. maí - 30. júní. Reykjavík Art Festival. Listasafn Sigurjóns Ólafssonar, 2002.
Short stories in anthologies & magazines:
- Saga 1. - Saga 2. Bjartur og frú Emilía, 1992. Fékk fyrstu verđlaun í örverkasamkeppni Bjarts og Emelíu.
- Orđabók, međ öđrum. Bjartur og frú Emilía. 1994.
- Póstkort, međ öđrum. Bjartur og frú Emilía. 1994.
- Lćrisveinn, međ öđrum. Bjartur og frú Emilía. 1996.
- Nöfn, međ öđrum. Bjartur og frú Emilía. 1998.
- Mjólk. Veftímaritiđ Decode, 1. 1. 1996.
- Co-written with Megas: Stúlka í turni. Tímarit Máls og menningar. 54. 4. 1993.
- Tröllasaga. Tímarit Máls og menningar. 54. 2. 1993.
- „Leyniţjónusta hrafnanna og hćnurnar ţrjár." Heil brú. Sögur úr norrćnni gođafrćđi. Mál og menning, 2006.
poetry:
FUGLAR. / BIRDS. Forlagiđ 1991.
LOFTNET KLÓRA HIMINN (KLÓR, KLÓR). / ANTENNAS SCRATCH SKY (SCRATCH, SCRATCH) JPV 2008
novels:
JÚLÍA. Forlagiđ 1992.
HÖFUĐSKEPNUR. ÁSTARBRÉFAŢJÓNUSTA. / HEADBEASTS: LOVELETTER-SERVICE. Hardcover & Paperback. Forlagiđ 1994.
ALVEG NÓG. / ENOUGH. Forlagiđ 1997. Nominated for the DV cultural prize.
STÚLKA MEĐ FINGUR. / GIRL WITH A FINGER. An historical novel. Forlagiđ 1999. Received the DV cultural prize.
HVÍTI SKUGGINN. / WHITE SHADOW. JPV-útgáfa 2001.
KALT ER ANNARS BLÓĐ. / OTHERS BLOOD IS COLD. Forlagiđ 2007.
for television:
Wrote the script and co-ordinated the program ALDAMÓTABĆRINN REYKJAVÍK / REYKJAVÍK AROUND THE TURN OF THE CENTURY. Icelandic television 1986.
Wrote the script for the docu-drama: EIGI VÍKJA, JÓN SIGURĐSSON - ĆVI HANS OG STARF / LIFE AND WORK OF J. S. THE LEADER OF 19th CENTURY NATIONALISTIC RESISTANCE IN ICELAND. Icelandic television / Saga film 1994.
Co-wrote with Lárus Ýmir Óskarson a script for a movie and a six-program-TV-series: HALLA OG EYVINDUR / HISTORICAL DRAMA ON THE OUTLAWS H & E. This project has not been realized yet.
for radio:
- ÚR MENNINGARSÖGUNNI. / FROM THE REALM OF CULTURAL HISTORY. A series of 12 programmes, broadcast 1989-1990.
- ÚTILEGUMANNASÖGUR. / SAGAS OF OUTLAWS. A series of 12 programmes, broadcast 1992.
- HORFINN HEIMUR: ALDAMÓTIN 1900. / A LOST WORLD: THE YEAR 1900 - A micro-historical approach. A series of 12 programmes, broadcast 1998 & 1999.
NON-FICTION:
confabulations:
RÖBB / CONFABULATIONS in Lesbók Morgunblađsins (a weekly cultural supplement of the most read icelandic newspaper) on and off for several years around 1995.
Poet of the Month in Dagsljós (a cultural radioprogram) in February 1995 - Weekly confabulations.
Four confabulations about the Foroe-islands in Víđsjá (a cultural radioprogram) in September 2001.
interviews in magazines:
- "Gen kvenna ţurfa ađ jafna sig." / "Women's genes need to recover." Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir (now mayor of Reykjavík) interviews Thórunn Valdimarsdóttur. Vera. 8. 6. 1989.
- "Rćtt viđ Megas og Thórunni Valdimarsdóttur." Halldóra Thoroddsen's interview with Megas and Thórunn. Bjartur og frú Emelía. 4. 3. 1991.
- "Viđtal viđ Thórunni Valdimarsdóttur sagnfrćđing." Sigfús Bjartmarsson interviewing Th. V. Teningur ( 7.) 10. 1991.
Biographies:
AF HALAMIĐUM Á HAGATORG. ĆVISAGA EINARS ÓLAFSSONAR Í LĆKJARHVAMMI. / Örn og Örlygur l986.
ENGIN VENJULEG KONA. LITRÍK ĆFI SIGRÚNAR JÓNSDÓTTUR KIRKJULISTAKONU. JPV-forlag 2000.
Travels: recitals and storytelling:
Was a guest at the Storytelling-festivals in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada in 1990, in Ljungby Sweden 1995, and Hald Hovedgaard Danemark 2001.
Took part in the Waves of the Black Sea - A Meeting between three Seas in november 1994, along with some 400 writers, translators and journalists from 30 countries, who went aboard the Greek ship "Mt World Renaissance" for the project Word Renaissance, a 9 day litterary journey in the Black Sea and the Aegean ocean, going ashore in Greece, Ukraina, Rumenia, Bulgaria and Turky. A member of the Delphi declaration.
Was invited to recite at the Culture-house in Stockholm 18. janúar 2000 in connection with my nomination to the Nordic Litterary prize.
Seminars and informal speeches abroad:
Was invited to sit at a panel in Copenhagen called „Words in the North" in September 2000. It was sponsored by the Nordic Counsil.
Was invited to sit at a Nordic seminar sponsored by the Danish Writers association and the Nordic Counsil. It took place in Hald Hovedgaard in Jylland in May 2001 and the topic was the art of storytelling.
HISTORICAL WRITING:
essays and articles in magazines and collections:
- "Ţjóđernishyggja Gísla Brynjólfssonar." On the nationalism of a 19th century cultural figure. Sagnir 3. 1982.
- "Félagiđ Ingólfur árin 1934-1942." On the history of an historical assosiation. Landnám Ingólfs. Nýtt safn til sögu ţess. 1. 1983.
- "Mjólkursaga á mölinni." An article concerning milk in the early days of the city of Reykjavík. Landnám Ingólfs. Nýtt safn til sögu ţess. 2. 1985.
- "Dyggđaspegill." An essay concerning a 17th century translation of a German religious tract on desirable and suitlable female virtues. Sagnir 7. 1986.
- "Ćvisagnaritun: Ein ađferđ til ađ vekja upp fortíđina." An article on methodology in biography writing. Sagnir 9. 1988.
- "Fortíđin í húsum." On architecture in Reykjavík. Arkitektúr og skipulag. 10. 4. 1989.
- "Hugleiđingar um ađferđafrćđi, sprottnar af ritun ćvisögu Snorra á Húsafelli." An essay on methodology in historical biography writing. Tímarit Máls og menningar. 4. 1989.
- "Um gagnkvćma ást manna og meyjar - Fjallkonunnar." An essay on the Mountain-Lady, a symbol for 19th century nationalism in Iceland. Written in honour of the Icelandic president V. F. Yrkja. Afmćlisrit til Vigdísar Finnbogadóttur 15. apríl 1990. Iđunn 1990.
- "New Possibilities with Deepened Historical Research." 17th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS of HISTORICAL SCIENCES II, Chronological Section. Methodology: The historical biography. Madrid 1990.
- SAGA JÓLANNA / THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS. Along with other authors. Forlagiđ 1993.
- "Af höfđingjanum Quetzalcoatli og Birni Breiđvíkingakappa." "Of the Mexican Culture Hero Quetzalcoatl and his Contemporary Björn the Champion from Breiduvík." Lesbók Morgunblađsins, - autumn 1998.
- "Women´s historical claim." A speech given at a meeting in Viđey where icelandic women founded an association demanding retribution for the illegal confiscation of the properties of the nunneries in Iceland in the year 1550. Vera, 4, 1999.
- "Fornu dyggđirnar sjö." The seven ancient virtues. Tímarit Máls og menningar. 2. 2000.
- "Sorrý, ţetta er satt." MEGAS. Mál og menning, kistan.is og Nýlistasafniđ 2001.
- "Var Björn Breiđvíkingakappi skeggjađi höfđinginn Quetzalcoatl sem kom úr austri?" Kvennaslóđir. Rit til heiđurs Sigríđi Th. Erlendsdóttur sagnfrćđingi. Kvennasögusafn Íslands, 2001.
- "Líffrćđilegur máttur sannfćringarinnar." The Biological Power of Conviction. Fréttabréf H.Í. apríl 2002.
- "Man and womb-man. On the language of both sexes." Lesbók Morgunblađsins, - 19. mars 2005.
- „Ţjóđsöngur Íslendinga. Ósönghćft „geimferđalegt lofdýrđarkvćđi"?" The Icelandic National Hymn. An unsingable „astronautic rhyme of praise"? Ţriđja íslenska söguţingiđ 18.-21. maí 2006. Ráđstefnurit.
- "Matthias Jochumsson - National Poet and Unitarian Protégé." Transactions of the Unitarian Historical Society 24, 1. April 2007.
historical books:
SVEITIN VIĐ SUNDIN. SAGA BÚSKAPAR Í REYKJAVÍK 1870-1950. / A History of Reykjavík Farmlife 1870-1950. Sögufélag 1986.
SNORRI FROM HÚSAFELL. AN 18th CENTRURY SAGA, historical biography. Almenna bókafélagiđ 1989. Paperback: Mál og menning 1992. Nominated to the Icelandic litterature prize in 1989.
ALDARSAGA. Leikfélag Reykjavíkur 1897-1997. Fyrri hluti, 1897-1950. / A CENTENARY SAGA. The History of Reykjavík's Theatre. Mál og menning 1997.
KRISTNISAGA 1830-1910 / History of Christianity in Iceland. Half a book (19th. century) in a four-books-sequence honoring the 1000 years anniversary of christianity in Iceland. Icelandic Parliament 2000. The sequence was nominated to the Icelandic litterature prize 2000.
HORFINN HEIMUR. LOST WORLD. THE YEAR 1900 IN A CLOSE-UP. A micro-historical study of one year as depicted in the seven current Icelandic newspapers. Sögufélag og Mál og mynd 2002.
UPP Á SIGURHĆĐIR. SAGA MATTHÍASAR JOCHUMSSONAR. Sagnfrćđi. JPV útgáfa 2007. Nominated to the Icelandic litterature prize and the Hagthenkir prize 2006.
Lectures:
University of Iceland, Icelandic Scientific Society; Icelandic Historical Society, Association of Scholars of Icelandic Culture; Icelandic Writers Union; Reykjavík City Theatre; American Cultural Centre; Gallery of Modern Art; the Sigurjón Ólafsson's Museum; University of Iceland; Skálholt's School; Eyrarbakka Museum; Sigurhćđir Museum; Seljachurch; Iceland's University of Fine Arts; a congress on women´s authority in Bifröst University; the International Congress of Historical Sciences Madrid 1990.
International Storytelling festivals:
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada 1990.
Ljungby Sweden 1995.
Nordic seminar on the art of storytelling, Jylland 2001.
Panels and Seminars:
Scaninavian panel Word in the North sponsored by the Nordic counsel Copenhagen and Malmö Sweden 2000.
Nordic seminar on the art of storytelling, sponsored by the Danish Writers Union in Hald Hovedgaard Jylland 2001.
Litery seminars in Biskops-Arnö Sweden 2007 and 2008.
International literary events:
Stockholm's Culture house 2000, in connection with a nomination to the Nordic literary prize. A reading.
Cultural festival dedicated to ex-president & UN-ambassadeur of languages Vigdís Finnbogadóttir's Institute at the Royal library in Stockholm 2004. A reading.
Guest of international poetry festival of the young poet society Nilhils 2005 and 2007.
Guest of International literture festival in Reykjavík 2005.
Word and music in Visby dome Gotland 2006. Me and organist only.
Public readings at the Baltic Centre for Writers and Translators Gotlandi 1999 og 2008.
Readings in the Bishops Cellar Biskops-Arnö Sweden 2007 and 2008.
