The well-known writer and raconteur Einar Kárason was born in Reykjavík in 1955. He first gained recognition in the early 80s, receiving popular acclaim for his trilogy about life in one of the post-war ‘barracks neighbourhoods’ of Reykjavík.

The trilogy starts with Þar sem djöflaeyjan rís (Where Devil's Isle Rises), followed by Gulleyjan (The Isle of Gold), which received the newspaper DV's Literature Award in 1986 and was nominated for the Nordic Council's Literature Prize shortly after. The final book in the series, Fyrirheitna landið (The Promised Land), was nominated for the Icelandic Literature Award in 1989. The trilogy was successfully adapted for the stage and later made into a popular film, scripted by the author in co-operation with director Friðrik Þór Friðriksson. The movie, Djöflaeyjan (Devil's Island), premiered in 1996.

Equally renowned for his biographies, travelogues, short stories and children’s stories, Einar has had numerous novels translated into German, the most recent being Versöhnung und Groll, the historical depiction of warring factions in 13th century Iceland, a colourful yet brutal period when the country was under Norwegian rule. He has also published a collection of his poetry.

For full details of the author’s works, please visit Fabulous Iceland.

Óttar Guðmundsson
Psychiatrist

Dr Óttar Guðmundsson is an experienced psychiatrist currently working at the National University Hospital of Iceland. Renowned in Iceland for his expertise in the field of medicine, he is also an author, focusing mostly on historical subjects that relate closely to the spirit of the time.

In 1990 Dr Guðmundsson had a noteworthy book on the history and ethics of sexuality published. Two years later a history of alcohol and alcoholism in Iceland followed. Another book entitled ‘Death and Dying’ explored the national history of psychiatry. His expertise and interest in the Icelandic Sagas has led to his latest project, which tackles the likely personality disorders and mental health problems of the leading players within these ancient tales.

Dr Guðmundsson studied medicine and medical history in Sweden and Germany,where he stayed for several years. He now lives in Iceland.

Halldór Baldursson
Illustrator

Halldór Baldursson was born in 1965 and has worked as an illustrator since 1989. Since 2005 he has focused mainly on his popular satirical cartoons for Icelandic newspapers. Throughout his career, Halldór has applied his pens and pencils to the most diverse of projects: everything from educational materials to advertising. He has also illustrated dozens of books, particularly children’s books.

A champion of the cartoon magazine ‘GISP!’ since its inception in 1989, Halldór has been teaching illustration at the Iceland Academy of the Arts since 1999. He began drawing for the newspaper Viðskiptablaðið as far back as 1993 and, along with Þorsteinn Guðmundsson, created the character Grandma Fífí, who appeared in the newspaper DV between 2000 and 2002. Halldór’s satirical cartoons were featured daily in the newspaper Blaðið (which later changed its name to 24 Stundir) from 2005 until the paper closed down in 2008. His popular cartoons then graced the pages of Morgunblaðið and finally Fréttablaðið, where they can still be seen today.

Halldór has received numerous awards and recognition from the Icelandic Association of Illustrators and Graphic Designers (FÍT) over many years. In 2005 he won a children’s book award for his work on Fíasól by Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir, and in 2006 the Icelandic Children’s Book Award for Sagan af undurfögru prinsessunni og hugdjarfa prinsinum hennar (The Beautiful Princess and Her Brave Prince) by Margrét Tryggvadóttir. His satirical cartoons were nominated in 2007 for a journalism prize.

For more on Halldór Baldursson and examples of his work, please visit Halldór’s website.