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Quiz about The Life and Works of Halldr Laxness
Quiz about The Life and Works of Halldr Laxness

The Life and Works of Halldór Laxness Quiz

This is a quiz about Halldór Laxness, the Icelandic writer who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955.

A multiple-choice quiz by Valka. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Valka
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
298,866
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
122
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Question 1 of 10
1. Laxness passed away in February 1998 - how old was he? Hint


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Question 2 of 10
2. A stubborn Icelandic peasant struggles to make a living on his own piece of land and maintain his independence against the authorities and the harsh reality of nature and society. Central to the story is his relationship with his stepdaughter, Ásta Sóllilja. Which novel is being referred to here? Hint


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Question 3 of 10
3. A lot of Laxness' books deal with religion and the question of God, in one way or another, reflecting the author's own troubled relationship with religion. Which religion did he take at the age of 21? Hint


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Question 4 of 10
4. A young orphan by the name of Álfgrímur lives with his grandparents in a small cottage on the outskirts of a fledgling Reykjavík. A "world famous" singer named Garðar Hólm returns from abroad while Álfgrímur searches for the one, pure tone. Which novel is this? Hint


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Question 5 of 10
5. Which of these books by Laxness was turned into a film by the writer's daughter? Hint


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Question 6 of 10
6. Farmers' daughter Ugla arrives in 1940s Reykjavík to study organ playing and work for local politician Búi Árland. This novel touches on themes such as the presence of the US Army in Iceland, unexpected attraction, and the identity of a young independent nation. Which book I am referring to? Hint


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Question 7 of 10
7. Where did Laxness live and work for half a century? Hint


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Question 8 of 10
8. A young man is sent by the Bishop of Iceland to investigate the situation in a congregation close to the glacier Snæfellsjökull and prepare a report into the local priest's conduct. The young man is confronted with a host of mysterious, idiosyncratic characters and he soon discovers that his logical world view may not be best suited to this strange environment. Which novel is this? Hint


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Question 9 of 10
9. This novel, published in 1931-1932, deals with a young girl's life in an Icelandic fishing village. Characters include Arnaldur, Steinþór, Sigurlína, Jóhann Bogesen and the title character. Hint


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Question 10 of 10
10. An easier and more general question to end the quiz: In which city did Laxness receive his Nobel Prize for Literature? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Laxness passed away in February 1998 - how old was he?

Answer: 95 years old

 Laxness was born in Reykjavík on April 23rd, 1902. He passed away at the age of 95, having retired from writing some ten years earlier.
2. A stubborn Icelandic peasant struggles to make a living on his own piece of land and maintain his independence against the authorities and the harsh reality of nature and society. Central to the story is his relationship with his stepdaughter, Ásta Sóllilja. Which novel is being referred to here?

Answer: Independent People

 This novel, originally published in two parts during the 30s, remains one of Laxness' best loved books. It has been translated into numerous languages. The Icelandic title is "Sjálfstætt fólk".
3. A lot of Laxness' books deal with religion and the question of God, in one way or another, reflecting the author's own troubled relationship with religion. Which religion did he take at the age of 21?

Answer: Catholicism

 Laxness spent time living and writing with monks in Clervaux Abbey in Luxembourg. Religion plays a big part in his novels and he also wrote essays and articles on Catholicism.
4. A young orphan by the name of Álfgrímur lives with his grandparents in a small cottage on the outskirts of a fledgling Reykjavík. A "world famous" singer named Garðar Hólm returns from abroad while Álfgrímur searches for the one, pure tone. Which novel is this?

Answer: The Fish Can Sing

 This popular 1957 novel is often regarded as Laxness' most accessible work. Its original title is "Brekkukotsannáll". It was turned into a TV movie in the 70s.
5. Which of these books by Laxness was turned into a film by the writer's daughter?

Answer: Under the Glacier

 "Under the Glacier" was filmed by the writer's daughter, film-maker Guðný Halldórsdóttir, in 1989. She also turned his short story "The Good Lady and the House" ("Ungfrúin góða og húsið") into a feature film. "Salka Valka" was filmed in Sweden in 1954 and "The Fish Can Sing" was adapted for Icelandic television in 1972.
6. Farmers' daughter Ugla arrives in 1940s Reykjavík to study organ playing and work for local politician Búi Árland. This novel touches on themes such as the presence of the US Army in Iceland, unexpected attraction, and the identity of a young independent nation. Which book I am referring to?

Answer: The Atom Station

 Laxness was himself a fierce and vocal critic of the US military presence in Iceland. In "The Atom Station" he deconstructs the values of the Icelandic Christian bourgeoisie.
7. Where did Laxness live and work for half a century?

Answer: Gljúfrasteinn, Mosfellsbær

 Gljúfrasteinn was Halldór Laxness' home for half a century. It was opened to the public in 2004 and is now run as a museum and cultural centre.
8. A young man is sent by the Bishop of Iceland to investigate the situation in a congregation close to the glacier Snæfellsjökull and prepare a report into the local priest's conduct. The young man is confronted with a host of mysterious, idiosyncratic characters and he soon discovers that his logical world view may not be best suited to this strange environment. Which novel is this?

Answer: Under the Glacier

 Released in 1968 and much awaited after an eight year gap in Laxness' novel writing, this was considered yet another new turn in his literary style.
9. This novel, published in 1931-1932, deals with a young girl's life in an Icelandic fishing village. Characters include Arnaldur, Steinþór, Sigurlína, Jóhann Bogesen and the title character.

Answer: Salka Valka

 Salka Valka has been adapted for stage and screen. It tells the story of Salvör Valgerður Jónsdóttir, always called Salka Valka. The novel has strong socialist undercurrents and deals with a host of harsh social problems in an unflinching way.
10. An easier and more general question to end the quiz: In which city did Laxness receive his Nobel Prize for Literature?

Answer: Stockholm

 The Nobel Prize is a Swedish institution and awarded in Sweden's capital.
Source: Author Valka

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