Iceland kicks everyone's literary asses

democracyindanger

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Wed Mar-09-05 11:42 PM
Original message

Iceland kicks everyone's literary asses

Out of a population of 290,000, about 1,000 books are published every year.

Most of these books are published with a month's timespan around Christmas.

The Prime Minister has published two collections of short stories while in office, and a two-decade member of parliament is Iceland's most beloved children's book author.

Iceland kicks all our asses.

(Stolen from the latest McSweeney's.)

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Snap

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Wed Mar-09-05 11:49 PM
Response to Original message

1. Mals & Menningar Boka Budir

Probably the coolest bookstore on the planet, and Moka the original coffee shop of the North.
Be forwarned, Icelandic Literature (ie: Haldor Laxness) may induce coma.

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democracyindanger

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Wed Mar-09-05 11:52 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. That's funny

The essay talks about Laxness casting such a big shadow over Icelandic authors that many feel like they're constantly trying to escape it. I was going to get one of his books, but now...

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Lautremont

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Thu Mar-10-05 12:32 AM
Response to Reply #2

3. No, Independent People is very much worth a read.

Give it a try!

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Frozen Hamster

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Thu Mar-10-05 04:54 AM
Response to Reply #1

4. Actually , it´s spelled Bókabudir Máls & Menningar

Just a little bitof nitpicking I can't avoid.

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Snap

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Thu Mar-10-05 11:34 AM
Response to Reply #4

5. I know

Apologies--I'm barely set up with the English alphabet, let alone Island.
Do read Laxness if you get a chance, I couldn't resist the cheap shot, he's not your standard book of the month choice.

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Frozen Hamster

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Fri Mar-11-05 06:17 AM
Response to Reply #5

8. I´ve read Intependant People

I thought it was rather good. Not my cup of tea but good none the less, and very critical of Icelandic culture of the time.

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bif

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Thu Mar-10-05 11:45 AM
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6. Plus they have Bjork!

And I read way back they have a huge number of daily newspapers--relative to the population.

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Lautremont

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Thu Mar-10-05 11:56 AM
Response to Reply #6

7. It's true.

But then, everything they have is huge relative to the population. And the population is 100% literate, except for the tiniest of babies of course.

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