Laxness' breakthrough novel was SALKA VALKA (1931-32). Other famous works include World Light, which shows influence from Knut Hamsun's Growth of the Soil (1917), and trilogy Iceland's Bell. In 1955 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He has also received several other awards, among them Stalin Peace Prize, Danish Nexö Award and Sonning Award.

Laxness was born in Reykjavik. After the WWI he travelled in Europe and the United States, where he tried to find place in Hollywood film industry. In 1923 Laxness turned to Catholism and got the name Kiljan after Irish St Kilian. During a stay in the United States he adopted Socialistic views, which are reflected in his novels from the 1930s and '40s.

In his works Laxness has skillfully changed his style from novel to novel but always maintainded his ironic humor. His production concists over 60 works: novels, plays, essays, short stories, memoirs and travel books.

Selected works:

• BARN NÁTTÚRUNNAR, 1919
• NOKKRAR SÖGUR, 1923
• UNDIR HELGAHNÚK, 1924
• VEFARINN MIKLI FRA KASIMIR, 1927
• SALKA VALKA, 1931-32
• SJÁLFSTÆTT FÓLK I-II, 1934-35 - Independent People - Läpi harmaan kiven
• PÓRÐ
UR GAMLI HALTI, 1935
• HEIMSLJÓS I-IV, 1937-40 - World Light
• ÍSLANDSKLUKKAN I-III, 1943-46 - Iceland´s Bell
• ATÓMSTÖÐIN, 1948
• GERPLA, 1952
• BREKKUKOTSANNÁLL, 1957 - The Fish Can Sing
• PARADÍSARHEIMT, 1960 - Paradise Reclaimed
• SKÁLDATÍMI, 1964 - Poetic Age
• KRISTNIHALD UNDIR JÖKLI, 1968 - Christianity at Glacier
• INNANSVEITARKRÓNÍKA, 1970 - Pitäjänkertomus
• GUÐSGJAFAÞULA. 1972 - Laulu Luojan antimista
• SAGAM AF BRAUDDINU DÝRA, 1987 - Bread of Life
• DAGAR HJÁ MÚNKUM, 1987 - Days with Monks