Top Ten Lists

This site started as a series of reading challenges between “Rose” and “Professor Batty” on their respective blogs. Over the years it has gotten a little out of hand, which was one of the reasons this site was created. You can read the original posts by clicking on the name-links above.

Here are the lists:

Stephen's list of "Top Ten" Laxness novels in translation...

#10. The Great Weaver From Kashmir (Vefarinn mikli frá Kasmír) (1927)

This was his first work to gain wide recognition; it is the story of a self-centered young man on his quest to become the “most perfect human.” Full of long philosophical passages, quite brilliant at times but, like its protagonist, lacking levity and empathy.

#9. Paradise Reclaimed (Paradísarheimt) (1960)

The “Mormon novel”, parts of it taking place in Utah (it is somewhat dry at times!) In it Laxness explores religious and social themes, particularly those of familial estrangement and dissolution of religious beliefs. Based on a true story, Laxness researched this over a 30 year span.

#8. Atom Station (Atómstöðin) (1948)

Pointed political satire aimed at the Icelandic government's acquiescence to the establishment of the United States military base in Iceland in the late 40s, with a memorable heroine in Ugla—a country girl who sees through the duplicity of the politicians. Her character may have been loosely based on Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who reputedly saved the waterfall Gullfoss from exploitation in the early 1900s. It had probably not been distributed in the U.S. until recently because of sub-plots concerning Communism and Anarchism. Laxness was unoffically but effectively blacklisted in the U.S. because of this book.

#7. World Light (Heimsljós) (1937-40)

A very strange novel, first published in four parts with almost the entire first part taking place with the hero in a sick-bed! Ólafur's struggle with religion, sexuality and morality may be a bit much for a modern reader, especially after several hundred pages of his confused thoughts and morally suspect deeds. The book examines the saint/scoundrel paradox of the Icelandic Skáld (poet/writer) with insight and contains a wealth of peculiar Icelandic phrases and observations, ending with a transcendent finale. Very highly thought of by Icelandic scholars.


#6. Under The Glacier (Kristnihald undir Jökli) (1968)

The ‘Modern’ Laxness novel, complete with new-age charlatans, hippies, a most pragmatic Pastor, the woman/goddess/fish Úa, and the hapless seminarian ‘Embí’ who is trying to make sense of it all. A novel of ideas; it is also very funny and extremely droll—its subtle Icelandic humor may take repeated readings to appreciate. Susan Sontag’s last review (written on her death-bed!) was of this book. It was Halldór’s last non-memoir novel, written when he was in his sixties. It was (and still is) much discussed in Iceland; a film of it was released in 1989.

#5. The Happy Warriors/Wayward Heroes (Gerpla) (1952)

Presented in a strict saga style, set in the era of transition between Christianity and Paganism, concerning two would-be ‘Heroes’ who are out of date with the times. Masterfully written, full of cultural and historical references; it might not be the best choice for the casual reader, however. The more recent translation (by Philip Roughton, Archipelago Press, 2016) is superior.

#4. Iceland's Bell (Íslandsklukkan) (1943-45)

Icelandic history in the guise of a sprawling romance-saga; the English version has numerous footnotes which help to explain the mixture of Icelandic, Latin and Danish references; it is not for the attention-deficient but worth the effort, if only for Snæfríður’s impassioned speech before the Danish authorities which speaks for subjugated peoples everywhere.

#3. Independent People, (Sjálfstætt fólk) (1934-5)

Icelandic male psychology and much more. While reading it I found myself thinking that Bjartur, the hero, was almost exactly the same as my grandfather (and I also found more of myself in Bjartur that I'd care to admit...) Widely available, I grew up with this book in our house; it was a Book-Of-The-Month-Club selection in the late 1940s.

#2. The Fish Can Sing, (Brekkukotsannáll) (1957)

Probably the most delightful of Laxness' novels. The orphaned Álfgrímur is, for the most part, a happy and simple child living in a world of colorful Pickwickian-style eccentrics in the turn of the century Reykjavík. His coming of age, particularly in his relationship to the mysterious Garðar Hólm, may be a metaphor for Iceland, then reluctantly emerging into the modern world. In light of the recent Icelandic presence on the world's music scene, Álfgrímur’s graveyard dialog with Garðar is eerily prophetic. This is another work where nearly every paragraph holds some brilliant observation or subtle insight.

#1 Salka Valka (1931-32)

This story started out as a screenplay and it has a definite cinematic quality—it has been filmed twice. Vivid social realism, with a gripping love story. The strongest plot and most fully realized heroine of any of Halldór's novels.

For a good first novel, I would suggest Fish; if you like sprawling sagas, try Bell. Salka Valka is absolutely tremendous—I found it overwhelming at times—a real find of a book, scandalous that it remained almost unknown in this country until its release in a new translation in 2022 by Philip Roughton (Archipelago Press.) Laxness also published two earlier juvenile novels and some later memoir/novels which are not available in English.


Rose's list:

1. The Fish Can Sing (1957)

Álfgrímur's coming of age. Iceland’s greatest singer. A house called Brekkukot in Reykjavík at the beginning of the 20th century. My favorite book ever.

2. Independent People (1934)

Sheep, and the frustratingly stubborn Bjartur of Summerhouses.

3. Iceland's Bell (1943-46)

The Loveliest Woman in Iceland and an irascible criminal.

4. World Light (1937-40)

The Poet, Ólafur Kárason of Ljósavík.

5. Under the Glacier (1968)

The Emissary of the Bishop (Embi) investigates strange things at Snaefells.

6. Salka Valka (1931-32)

A poor fisher girl who is big, strong, and very generous.

7. Paradise Reclaimed (1960)

Steinar gives his white pony Krapi, the finest horse in Iceland, to the King of Denmark, and goes to live with the Mormons.

8. Great Weaver From Kashmir (1927)

Steinn’s quest for perfection, and his desire to avoid the sins of the flesh. Humanity and Divinity. The nature of redemption.

9. Happy Warriors (1952)

Sworn brothers Þormódur Bessason and Þorgeir Hávarsson have the souls of saga warriors. But they are misfits in their world, and don’t even realize it.

10. Atom Station (1948)

A girl from the north country encounters city ways, and learns about human values. Another Strong Woman steals our hearts.

(11.) The Honour of the House (1933), novella.

Honour and pride, and what it does to a family.


Here is a 2025 ranking of the top ten Laxness novels as determined by ChatGPT

Stephen’s grading of the results are in italics:

1. Independent People (Sjálfstætt fólk, 1934–35)

Widely regarded as Laxness’s masterpiece, this epic novel portrays the fierce independence—and tragic stubbornness—of Iceland’s rural peasantry. Its richly drawn characters and sprawling narrative, which mixes social realism with mythic elements, have made it a touchstone of modern Icelandic literature. Accurate = A

2. Under the Glacier (Kristnihald undir Jökli, 1947)

This novel stands out for its imaginative, almost surreal exploration of life, belief, and the natural world. Its blend of allegory, political commentary, and experimental style marks it as one of Laxness’s most daring works. Accurate, but the publishing date is off by 21 years = C

3. World Light (Heimsljós, 1952)

A reflective and philosophical work, World Light weaves themes of modernity, spirituality, and change into a narrative that questions the meaning of progress. Its meditative tone and inventive narrative structure have earned it high praise. Inaccurate in that it does not deal with modernity, change and progress. The publishing date is off by 10 years = D

4. The Fish Can Sing (Brekkukotsannáll, 1957)

A more accessible and often playful novel, this coming‐of‐age story captures the peculiarities of Icelandic life and culture with warmth and humor. Its lyrical language and nostalgic look at a changing society have resonated with many readers. Accurate, but misses the point of its being a metphor for Iceland’s transistion to modern times = B

5. Iceland’s Bell (Íslandsklukkan, 1943)

This historical novel reflects on Iceland’s struggle for independence and the complexities of national identity. Its melding of history and literature makes it an important work for understanding both the nation and Laxness’s artistic preoccupations. Accurate = A

6. Salka Valka (1949)

Known for its intricate narrative and rich characterizations, Salka Valka delves into social and economic themes through a story that is as much about personal fate as it is about collective destiny. Its layered narrative has sparked much discussion among scholars. Somewhat accurate but not really about fate. Published date is off by 15 years = C

7. The Atom Station (Atómstöðin, 1959)

With its biting satire and incisive commentary on Cold War politics, The Atom Station is a work that combines humor with a serious critique of modern society. Its imaginative style and political urgency keep it relevant today. Somewhat accurate but omits the protagonist entirely, published date is off by 11 years = C

8. The Great Weaver from Kashmir (Vefarinn mikli frá Kasmír, 1967)

This later, experimental work reflects Laxness’s continued interest in the interconnectedness of global cultures and the role of myth in modern life. Its narrative ambition and playful form have made it a favorite among readers who appreciate Laxness’s more unconventional experiments. Completely wrong in all aspects, including published date being off by 40 years! = F

9. Martinus (1923)

One of Laxness’s early novels, Martinus offers a glimpse of the author’s developing style and thematic concerns. While it might not enjoy the same universal acclaim as his later epics, it remains an important work in tracing the evolution of his literary voice. Not a Laxness novel! A complete hallucination, everything about this is wrong = F

10. The Happy Island (Hamingjaeyjan, circa 1919)

Though lesser known than his later masterpieces, this early novel (sometimes published under the title The Happy Island) reflects the formative ideas and experimental spirit that would come to define Laxness’s work. Its quaint, sometimes whimsical narrative provides an intriguing counterpoint to his more monumental later novels. Not a Laxness novel! A complete hallucination, everything about this is wrong = F

No Mention of Wayward Heroes (1952) = F, or Paradise Reclaimed (1960) = F

Grading on a curve, it gets a GPA of 1.4 = a solid D. Using this AI model as a resource might not be the best idea for a term paper on the novels of Halldór Laxness!

DeepSeek's AI Top Ten (2025):

What are the ten best Halldór Laxness books?

Halldór Laxness, the Nobel Prize-winning Icelandic author, is celebrated for his rich storytelling and profound exploration of human nature and society. Here are ten of his most acclaimed works:

Independent People (Sjálfstætt fólk) - Often considered his masterpiece, this novel explores the life of Bjartur, a sheep farmer striving for independence in early 20th-century Iceland.

Iceland's Bell (Íslandsklukkan) - A historical novel set in 17th-century Iceland, it delves into themes of justice, national identity, and resistance against Danish rule.

The Great Weaver from Kashmir (Vefarinn mikli frá Kasmír) - An early work that reflects Laxness's spiritual and philosophical quests, blending modernist techniques with deep introspection.

World Light (Heimsljós) - A four-part novel series that follows the life of Ólafur Kárason, a poet and dreamer, through his struggles and aspirations in a harsh world.

The Atom Station (Atómstöðin) - A satirical novel that critiques the impact of American military presence in Iceland during the Cold War, blending humor with serious social commentary.

Paradise Reclaimed (Paradísarheimt) - This novel tells the story of an Icelandic farmer who converts to Mormonism and travels to America, exploring themes of faith and disillusionment.

Under the Glacier (Kristnihald undir Jökli) - A unique and surreal novel that combines elements of mystery, theology, and folklore, centered around a young emissary sent to investigate a parish under a glacier.

The Fish Can Sing (Brekkukotsannáll) - A coming-of-age story set in Reykjavik, it follows the life of Álfgrímur, an orphan raised by his grandparents, and his encounters with a famous singer.

Salka Valka (Salka Valka) - A powerful novel about a young girl's struggle for independence and self-determination in a small Icelandic fishing village.

The Happy Warriors (Gerpla) - A historical novel that reimagines the sagas of medieval Iceland, blending humor and irony with a critique of heroism and violence.

These works showcase Laxness's versatility and depth as a writer, offering readers a profound insight into Icelandic culture, history, and the human condition.

Stephen’s assessment of DeepSeek’s ratings: B+, mostly accurate, if somewhat shallow summaries.

What's your list?

Carmella’s top five list for Penguin Books…