Halldór Laxness (1902-1998) was among the great literary figures of the 20th C and Iceland’s only Nobel Laureate to date. His home, Gljúfrasteinn, located in Mosfellsbær just outside Reykjavík, is now a national museum. A multimedia presentation on Laxness’s life and an excellent self-guided audio tour of the house are available.
Laxness responded to beauty in all forms, and Western classical music was an especially abiding obsession. His was a romantic life that even included an unsuccessful stint in Hollywood. An assessment of his oeuvre is found here.
Gljúfrasteinn is surrounded by great natural beauty. The visitor can today enjoy the many walking trails that so delighted and inspired Laxness.


Home of Halldór Laxness in Mosfellsbær
5D Mark II, 24-105L


Mosfellsdalur: view outside Halldór Laxness' home
5D Mark II, 24-105L


Halldor Laxness' 1969 Jaguar
5D Mark II, 14L II
by Rajan P. Parrikar
5 comments
Doesn’t snow pile up on Laxness’ roof?
Laxness had a lovely view (photo #2 is great) and more trees/shrubs around his house than the Prime Minister.
The 14mm shot of the Jaguar is a great use of the lens. Great post-processing too!
14mm Jaguar could have been on the cover of LIFE magazine !
VHi Rajan,
Very nice photograph of the Jaguar. I like it!
Alain Briot
The hills in the pic of the horses reminds me of the Monsoon on the Western Ghats. Geologically, too, both the hills (in Island and the Western Ghats) are Basaltic in origin.
Very pretty!