Þórarinn Eldjárn

This is an Icelandic name. The last name is a family name, but this person is properly referred to by the given name Þórarinn.

Þórarinn Eldjárn (born 22 August 1949) is an Icelandic writer. He studied at the University of Lund and the University of Iceland. He has written numerous poems, stories, and novels. He has also translated numerous books into Icelandic, including Alice in Wonderland. In addition, he has produced a number of children's poetry books, seemingly somewhat inspired by the works of Dr. Seuss, with illustrations by his sister.

His best-known work internationally is the novel Brotahöfuð ("The Blue Tower"), which was nominated for an IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2001. Locally he is well known and respected for his short stories (most often offering humorous social satire), and his equally humorous and witty poetry, such as his "Disney Rhymes" (1974) - The Walt Disney Story presented as an epic tale in the rímur fashion.

In 2008, the Icelandic publishing house Vaka-Helgafell, released the entire collection of his poetry which instantly became a best seller.

His father was Kristján Eldjárn, third President of Iceland (1968–1980). He has five sons: Úlfur Eldjárn, Ari Eldjárn and Halldór Eldjárn, Ólafur Eldjárn, Kristján Eldjárn (d. 2002).

External links

• Iceland literature site on him
• Skáld mánaðarins "Poet of the Month", at the Icelandic schools' site, Skólavefurin: short biography and some poems, with readings by the author.
• Keflvíkingasaga A satirical short story by Þórarinn in which a real Viking arrives in present-day Iceland and tries to settle there.