Pétur Gunnarsson has been producing books at a steady rate since his first collection of poems was published in 1973 and has long since established himself as one of the major Icelandic authors of his generation. In his stories, Pétur explores what it means to be an Icelander in the modern world. He draws a complex and profound picture of the Icelandic identity as it has been taking shape in a country emerging gradually from poverty and dependence on Denmark after World War II into its modern situation of independence and affluence. In the nine novels he has published in a quarter of a century, in addition to collections of essays and several translations of major works of French literature, he has revealed himself as a tasteful and creative practitioner of the Icelandic language as well as an incisive commentator on his society and culture...