In the 1970s and the 1980s Bödvar Gudmundsson's literary career concentrated mostly on poetry and drama, and his works in both genres strongly reflected his leftist political views. He was, in particular, known at that time for his pacifist lyrics critical of Western imperialism and capitalism in addition to his historical plays, written both for amateur theater groups and for small independent professional theaters. In the 1990s and into the twenty-first century, however, Bödvar has been recognized as an innovative novelist with an excellent sense for storytelling and a keen eye for humor in his narrative. In 1992 he was nominated for Íslensku bókmenntaverdlaunin (The Icelandic Literary Award) for his collection of short stories, Kynjasögur (Tales of Strange Things, 1992), and again for his 1995 historical novel Híbyli vindanna (1995; translated by Keneva Kunz as Where the Winds Dwell, 2000). Finally, he...