When Frída Á. Sigurdardóttir published her first book of short stories, Þetta er ekkert alvarlegt: smásögur (This Isn't Serious: Short Stories), in 1980, she received praise for her impressive command of short fiction, her exquisite use of the Icelandic language, and her refined style. Similar acclaim has echoed through most reviews of her works, which include three collections of short stories and five novels, all published between 1980 and 2000. Frída has received many awards and honors; most notable were the three literary prizes for her third novel, Medan nóttin lídur (1990; translated as Night Watch, 1995), awarded between 1990 and 1992. Recently, she was appointed to an exclusive list of some twenty Icelandic artists from various disciplines who receive the annual Heidurslaun listamanna (Honorary Artist's Award) from the Icelandic parliament for the remainder of their lives as recognition for...